Tillandsia magnusiana is a soft, silver leaved species that prefers good air movement. It is a species that can be grown horizontally so that the bottom of the plant is on a vertical axis. Growing the plant in this way helps because it prevents water from collecting at the base of the leaves which can oftentimes cause the plant to rot. It grows a thick, maroon, simple spike that then produces the typical grape violet blooms for subgenus Tillandsia.