Phalaenopsis Orchid Phalaenopsis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- fay-lay-NOP-sis
- Description
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One of the most widely grown orchid genera. They prefer low light, warm temperatures, and high humidity. The aerial roots can photosynthesize, producing a green color from chlorophyll production.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Container Garden with Epiphytes Container Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. equestris, P. schilleriana
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. equestris, P. schilleriana
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Phalaenopsis
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical & Subtropical Asia, NE. Australia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers usually in white, pink, and purple in various patterns. 2 true petals, 3 sepals, a "lip", and a "column" that contains the reproductive parts.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Thick green leaves 6-10 in long, 3-6 per plant, with few visible veins. Young leaves are glossy and clasp the flowering scape.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Insignificant
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Acaulescent, no visible stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
