This species of Mexican and Central American forms a 6 inch open rosette of gray-green leaves which flush vivid red when in bloom. Flowers are blue. A lovely, easy to grow, all-time-favorite. An easy growing, sub-mesic plant that grows well when mounted and kept in moderate light and humidity.

From Guatemala. This cute little plant about 4 inches tall has a bright green bulbous base and twisted, wiry leaves that blush bright red when blooming. The inflorescence is a short scape with red branches and deep blue flowers. Grow shaded and moist for best results. Forms attractive clumps, can be grown hanging from a string. A must for every Tillandsia fancier. Good for terrariums too.

This species from Mexico and Central America is an upright growing plant to 12 inches and has a simple or occasionally branched, lanceolate inflorescence of red and yellow. Usually epiphytic, sometimes lithophytic in nature, it is easy to grow and a faithful bloomer with leaves that blush reddish in strong light. Suitable for terrariums.

A large growing clone of the ‘Blushing Bride’ from Honduras. Vase-shaped, with the leaf tips curving outward, reaching over 3 inches tall; big for an ionantha! Blushes brilliant red when in bloom.

The classic ‘Blushing Bride’, one of the first forms of this species imported, and at one time the most abundant.  Now overtaken by cultivated Guatemalan plants, which tend to be less colorful, the Mexican form is much sought.  Growing to about two inches tall and wide, it will form large clusters in a short time (few years) and is very easy to grow. 

Found from northern Mexico, within 100 miles of the Texas border, then south all the way to Guatemala.  It is found mostly in semi-arid, deciduous forest where it can fill the limbs of trees by the tens of thousands.  This form blushes very bright red at anthesis.