Tillandsia capitata

Tillandsia capitata is an evergreen perennial in the bromeliad family. Its common name is head-forming air plant. Its native range runs from Mexico to Honduras. It also grows from Cuba to Hispaniola. Kew places it in the seasonally dry tropics. It grows on rocks or on other plants. In gardens, it suits sheltered displays with protection from cold.

The plant forms clumps of leaf rosettes. It reaches about 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) tall and wide. The RHS gives five to ten years to maturity. Its sword-shaped leaves range from pale green to grey-green. They gain a red flush as flowering begins. This shift adds colour before the flowers appear. The leaves stay on the plant through the year.

Purple, tube-shaped flowers appear in spring and summer. Each flower can reach about 0.13 feet (0.04 metres) long. Flowering stems rise to about 0.8 feet (0.25 metres). Individual rosettes die after they flower. Remove these dead rosettes as part of routine care. Plants can be raised from seed or from offsets. Wait until offsets reach one-third of the parent's size before separating them.

This air plant needs no compost for cultivation. Attach it to a support with wire or glue. Under glass, give it bright, filtered light and good airflow. The RHS lists partial shade and a sheltered position. An east-facing or west-facing site fits that guidance. From spring through autumn, soak it in rainwater twice weekly. Increase watering when conditions become hot and dry. Drain it well after each soak, then let it dry. Its care needs both regular water and drying between soakings.

The RHS rates its hardiness as H1C. This rating places it in the 41–50°F (5–10°C) minimum temperature band. It can spend summer outdoors, where rain and humidity help. Outdoor summer placement also gives it more light. The RHS suggests it for patios, container displays and subtropical settings. In colder conditions, grow it under glass rather than outdoors. Its compact size suits a mounted display in these spaces. Aphids and mealybugs may attack it, so watch for both. The RHS reports few disease problems. The supplied evidence gives no information on edible uses or toxicity.