This species is native to Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatán, Puebla), Venezuela, Colombia, the West Indies and southern Florida.

[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Tillandsia variabilis is an epiphyte growing in the branches of various trees in moist forests.

It is up to 40 cm long including the inflorescence, usually single but occasionally in clumps.

Leaves are narrowly triangular, soft and brittle, up to 30 cm long.

Bracts are red, green or purple, less than 1 cm wide, covering and obscuring the rachis.