Tillandsia "Harrisii"

Native to Guatemala, the Tillandsia harrisii is a beautiful soft leaved air plant, and one that is great for beginners. The T. harrisii air plants have silvery grey leaves with ample trichomes that grow in a rosette shape along its stem. Since it grows along a stem, this air plant is considered a caulescent species which in definition means that “it grows along a stem above ground.”

A very special air plant, the T. harrisii was named after a Tillandsia enthusiast/explorer who was murdered in Guatemala in 1985. The T. harrisii air plant can grow to be over 8 inches tall and displays a beautiful red inflorescence which will bloom beautiful purple flowers. These plants are slow growing, so you might not see a bloom for a year or two, but it’s worth the wait!


The T. harrisii can withstand some full sun, but we recommend filtered bright indirect light and waterings at least once a week. These plants thrive in lower to moderate humidity because of their abundance of trichomes and prefer good air flow.


T. harrisii air plants look great in a terrarium, bowl, or mounted to a piece of bark or wood. As they grow larger and begin to bloom, place your harrisii on a shelf or table top so you can admire its beautiful bloom!