Tillandsia streptocarpa

Often referred to as the "Twisted Air Plant" for its distinctive spiraling, silvery-purple leaves, Tillandsia streptocarpa is also prized for its sweet, fragrant flowers:

• Foliage: Velvety, silvery-grey leaves covered in trichomes; grows in a twisted, spiral pattern 
  
• Inflorescence: Arguably its most dramatic and celebrated feature; a bipinnate compound spike emerges long, erect, smooth, often tinged with red or purple, up to 12" in height, and full of deep violet, purple, or lavender flowers
  
• Fragrance: Three-petaled flowers carry a sweet, citrus-like or grape soda scent
  

Key features:

• In the wild, Tillandsia streptocarpa is found across a wide swath of South America, from Peru to Brazil and down to northeastern Argentina. It is native to several Brazilian biomes, including the Amazon, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest where it grows on trees or rocky outcrops
  
• Growth Pattern: Slow and steady, but unique for the leaves do not grow straight up, They exhibit a distinct spiral or twisted growth pattern which allows the plant to capture water and funnel it to the base in its natural habitat
  
• Size: The foliage rosette typically reaches 15-25cm (6-10") tall, 20-30cm (8-12") wide, and 30-45cm (12-18") high with the inflorescence

Care tip: Thrives in bright, indirect sunlight in temperature between 60-80 degrees F. It requires excellent air circulation. Water submerged for about 20-30 minutes every 1-2 weeks

Ideal for: Open-air displays or mounts rather than small terrariums