This plant grows well in full sun along the coast but likely would appreciate part sun or light shade in hot inland. Plant in a well-drained mix where it is fairly dry growing but also responds well to regular to occasional irrigation. Has proven hardy to short duration temperatures around 28°F. An unusual plant that makes a very attractive specimen in a pot or in a well-drained site in (or on) the ground with compatible succulent plants.

Orthophytum magalhaesii is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil where it is known to grow on granite rock outcrops in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. It was first described by Lyman Smith Phytologia in 1966. Orthophytum is in the subgenus Bromelioideae and the name of the genus comes from the Greek word 'ortho' meaning "straight" and the Latin word 'phytum' meaning "plant" in reference to the long straight inflorescence bearing leaves. The specific epithet honors the botanist Geraldo Mendes Magalhães who first collected the type specimen of this plant in 1958.

We first received our stock plant of this wonderful plant from Julie Barlow when she was working at Rancho Soledad Nursery in 2008 and we have offered it for sale since 2018. 

The information about Orthophytum magalhaesii displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.