Paphiopedilum
Paphiopedilum spp. (Lady's Slipper orchids)
📖 About this plant
The enchanting ‘Lady’s Slipper orchids,’ named for their distinctive pouch-shaped lip (the ‘slipper’) that serves as a pollination trap. The flowers are often mottled, striped, or boldly colored in greens, browns, whites, pinks, and purples. Unlike most orchids, they are terrestrial and lack pseudobulbs. Many have attractive mottled or tessellated foliage even when not in bloom. A compact, shade-tolerant orchid perfect for indoor growing.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Low to medium indirect
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate to high (50-70%)
18-26°C
Fine-grade orchid bark mixed with sphagnum moss, perlite, and a small amount of loam; terrestrial orchid mix; moisture-retentive but well-drained
Balanced orchid fertilizer at half strength every 2 weeks year-round; these are light feeders — flush with plain water monthly to prevent fertilizer salt buildup; calcium and magnesium supplementation beneficial
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Southeast Asia and tropical Asia — from southern China and India through Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia) to the Pacific islands; primarily forest-floor understory plants
- 📏 Max height
- 15-30 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 15-30 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Winter - Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Green, Brown, Pink
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets; considered one of the safest orchid genera for households
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of large clumps when they produce 6+ growths, keeping at least 3-4 fans per division; does not produce keikis or offsets easily; slow to propagate
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to humans and pets; considered one of the safest orchid genera for households
Common issues
- Crown rot from water in growth point
- Root rot
- Bud blast
💡 Care tips
- Also known as Lady Slipper orchid for its pouch-shaped lip
- One of the best orchids for low-light indoor conditions
- Does not have pseudobulbs so water before completely dry
- Each flower lasts 2-3 months making it an excellent houseplant
