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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cattleya forbesii Flower
Cattleya labiata Flower
Cattleya trianae Flower
Cattleya mossiae has some common insect problems:
Hemispherical Scale
Boisduval Scale
Greenhouse Thrips
Cattleya mossiae has some other problems:
False Spider Mites
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants

Easter Cattleya Cattleya mossiae

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cattleya reineckiana
  • Cattleya splendidissima
  • Cattleya wagneri
Phonetic Spelling
KAT-lee-yuh MOSS-ee-ay
Description

The Easter orchid is an epiphytic, tropical herbaceous perennial member of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to the tropical rainforests of northern Venezuela. The species epithet, mossiae, commemorates a “Mrs. Moss” of Liverpool, England, who successfully flowered this species and brought it to the attention of botanists.

The cultural conditions for the Easter orchid are the same as for other cattleya orchids. 

The Easter orchid is a unifoliate cattleya, meaning it has just one leaf per pseudobulb. It produces flowers on pseudobulbs formed during the previous growing season and after a period of rest. The Easter orchid is highly variable in flower color and form throughout its range. Numerous forms and varieties have been given taxonomic recognition in the past, but nowadays these are not recognized and are included within the variable species. It has been much used in hybridization, imparting good flower count and lip pattern to its hybrid offspring, along with a strong tendency for spring flowering.

The Easter orchid is grown as a greenhouse plant or houseplant. It can be grown outside in the summer.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: If kept outside, the plant may be attacked by slugs, snails, thrips, scale insects and mealybugs. Search the plant periodically for spider mites. They can be problematic when the humidity is too low.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Cattleya.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Willowbrook'
    Spring lavender blooms
'Willowbrook'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#specimen#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#colorful#epiphytic#pet friendly#hanging baskets#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#orchid#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Willowbrook'
    Spring lavender blooms
'Willowbrook'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#specimen#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#colorful#epiphytic#pet friendly#hanging baskets#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#orchid#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cattleya
    Species:
    mossiae
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Venezuela
    Distribution:
    cultivated worldwide.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Lipped
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    A terminal raceme, only one stalk growing per pseudobulb. The inflorescence is enclosed in a sheath to support the weight of the flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Rubbery
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves emerge from pseudobulbs and are thick, waxy, and leathery. The venation is parallel and the midveins are deeply impressed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen