Phalaenopsis schilleriana

Phalaenopsis schilleriana is an epiphytic, tropical, herbaceous perennial or houseplant in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) and native to the Philippines. The species epithet honors Consul Schiller, a German orchid grower and enthusiast in the 1860s. The commercial market is dominated by hybrids, but this moth orchid might be the most widely cultivated species in the genus.

Like other moth orchids, this species requires warm temperatures, high humidity, and indirect light or dappled shade. Cooler night temperatures in the autumn are needed to initiate flowering. This species is often cultivated mounted on a plank of cork or other bark substrate, mimicking its natural growing position. It grows 6 to 12 inches high and 1 to 2 feet wide. 

This moth orchid has large, pale pink flowers in quantity on panicles. It has leaves barred with silver and often suffused with purple on the underside, so it is attractive even without flowers. Numerous varieties and forms have been described, but they are all treated as synonyms of the species.

This species is grown as a greenhouse plant by orchid specialists. Moth orchid hybrids with pink flowers are more widely available and easier to grow as houseplants. In USDA Zone 10a and above, it can be grown as a specimen in the landscape, in a container or in a hanging basket.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include thrips, false spider mites, hemispherical scale and boisduval scale. It is also susceptible to botrytis blight.

More information on Phalaenopsis.