Easter Orchid Cattleya mossiae

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 Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Cattleya.