Phalaenopsis schilleriana

This species of moth orchid is from Luzon, Philippines. It is an epiphytic, tropical herbaceous perennial in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The species epithet honors Consul Schiller, a German orchid grower and enthusiast in the 1860s. 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.

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.

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

More information on Phalaenopsis.