This is the proliferating form of secunda from the area north of Quito, Ecuador. A large growing plant with silvery-green leaves in an upright rosette, which when in bloom produces its offsets on its inflorescence. The inflorescence is tall and branched, up to 3 feet or so, and usually bright red in color, and the adventitious offsets are produced at almost every internode. In nature it grows on the ground on rocky slopes in full sun. Popular with collectors, it is usually grown potted to gain size and vigor.

*VIPP plants are NOT in bloom

A hybrid of (streptophylla x flabellata) that forms a slightly bulbous-based plant with upright, channeled leaves, recurving towards the tips. The inflorescence is a loosely branched panicle with a central spike and five or so additional, long, slender branches growing at right angles, pink going green at the tips. The foliage has a good coating of trichomes giving the plant a velvety feel. Easy to grow mounted or even potted in an orchid-type, fast draining mix.

*Budded as of 4/18/25

A curious hybrid of cacticola ‘Splendid’ x duratii has some characteristics of both parents but really resembles neither. The plant forms an upright rosette of stiff, succulent leaves that taper to a curling tip. The inflorescence is upright, usually simple, dark purple with pale lavender flowers. Unusual.

Native Brazil to Bolivia and Argentina is a cascading plant with tiny green or grayish leaves on little stems. Clusters are handsome and produce little yellowish flowers. A widely variable species in the subgenus Diaphoranthema, it varies from very slight, wispy foliage to sturdy, fat stems that can hang to 12 inches or more. Our clone is from Bolivia and is one of the smaller forms that forms clusters and grows fairly rapidly. Grows naturally as a lithophyte or and epiphyte and enjoys good air circulation. Our clone is ‘growing wild’ in our shade houses where the seeds often germinate on the screens.

A rarely seen small grower from central coastal Mexico. Resembling a seedling of Til. streptophylla with its bulbous base and strap-like curly leaves, it differs from the later in lacking a scape. Please note: in cultivation this species tends to have a smaller base and narrower, less curled leaves.

Perhaps growing ‘harder’ would bring back the wild look. The flowers are formed on a short compound inflorescence. An unusual and desirable collectible.

A large plant with an unusual cross. The parent; Tillandsia limbata, is rarely seen in hybrids. It gives size to the cross as well as the long, strappy leaves forming a rosette to about 24 inches across with green leaves that are silvery on the undersides. The inflorescence is tall with many upright, narrow branches held close to the rachis. The branches are green but trend slightly towards yellow-orange in color and the scape bracts are long but only green.

A hybrid of (stricta x edithae) by Margaret Patterson. This is one of those rare kinds of hybrids that when you see it bloom for the first time, you can't believe how stunning and unique it is. A very leafy, full rosette of many fairly stiff leaves that are dark silvery gray and fairly lepidote. The inflorescence is outstanding, brilliant red bracts in a cylindrical inflorescence with dark purple flowers. A gem. 

This species is similar in some ways to Til. gurreroensis, but is smaller, with larger, almost fuzzy, trichomes. The inflorescence is simple, a pink spike with deep blue flowers. (The photo is lighter than actual) Discovered by Renate Ehlers, and named by her for her husband and collecting partner, Klaus. A rare gem.

A really nice hybrid of (hammeri x concolor ‘Cuicatlan’) by Bill Timm. What a neat combination, a tall, stiff leaved, upright plant crossed with a stiff leaved open rosette type with a beautiful inflorescence. It worked! This is a jewel with stiff, upright, very narrow foliage, and a showy, branched inflorescence that is upright, taller than the foliage and pink and green to reddish. Interestingly enough, both species occur in the same area of Mexico! 

A naturally occurring hybrid of (streptophylla x caput-medusae) found in Guatemala from time to time. A good combination of both parents. More slender than streptophylla with more terete leaves, but thicker and larger than caput-medusae. The inflorescence is branched and pinkish. Very graceful looking, vigorous and easy to grow.

A hybrid of arequitae x stricta. A robust cross forming a very leafy, silvery-green rosette with a tall, unbranched inflorescence. The inflorescence has subtle pale peach bracts and large light blue flowers. A strong grower that likes bright light and airy conditions.

A variety of T. mima from the area of Rio Jequetepeque in the Department of Cajamarca, Peru that was discovered by Prof. Dr. Werner Rauh and published in 1977. A saxicole in nature, it has extremely heavy, wire-like roots for holding fast to rocks. Differing from the other typical forms of mima in having narrow foliage, many leaves and a smaller size of only about 24 inches maximum and usually smaller. Like the other forms, produces adventitious offsets at the base and this form also produces them on the inflorescence as well.

The inflorescence is quite tall, over 3 feet, tripinnate and bearing dark violet flowers. Our plants came from Dr. Rauh many years ago. We find this species hardy but very slow growing.