Christmas Orchids Calanthe

Calanthe is a genus of 150 to 200 species of evergreen and deciduous orchids in the Orchidaceae  family, commonly called Christmas orchids or Prayer Plants. They are found in several tropical areas but most come from southeast Asia. Most species are terrestrial, but a few are epiphytic (growing on other plants), and all have thick roots. The leaves are deciduous or evergreen and usually have a wrinkled appearance. The delicate flowers are showy and come in various colors. The genus name comes from the Greek words kalos (beautiful) and anthe (flower).

Most Christmas Orchids are winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-9 and some, with protection, will grow in Zone 6. The plants are best grown in rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in part-shade. Most Christmas Orchids will tolerate full shade.

Christmas Orchids make excellent houseplants. If grown indoors, the plant should be watered every week or two and sited in indirect light. Bright direct sunlight can fade the stunning colours of the leaves and prolonged exposure can burn the leaves.

Within the genus, plants are either evergreen or deciduous. Evergreen plants are tropical to cold growing terrestrials with a basal rosette of leaves and no pseudo-bulbs. Flowering comes from the center of the leaf rosette. Deciduous plants have prominent pseudo-bulbs, are winter-deciduous and flower from near the base of the leafless pseudo-bulbs. Evergreen plants tend to do better outside.

Additional Calanthe images can be found at the Juniper Level Botanical Gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

Root rot can occur in wet soils.