Phalaenopsis amabilis

RHS Plant Profile

East Indian butterfly plant

Synonyms

Phalaenopsis grandiflora
Phalaenopsis aphrodite

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

An upright orchid with between 3 and 5 broadly oval, fleshy leaves which grow to 50cm long. Numerous, scented, long-lasting white flowers, up to 10cm across, with a white and yellow lip and red throat are borne from autumn to early spring on branched racemes up to 1m tall

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1A

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Phalaenopsis are a large genus of species and hybrid mainly epiphytic orchids. Short, upward growing, stem-like rhizomes with no pseudobulbs produce oval, fleshy mid to dark green leaves and flowers in branched racemes from the base of the leaves
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E Indies, Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open bark-based compost and position with good indirect light and warm even temperatures. Water thoroughly when compost has almost dried out and feed regularly. Do not leave standing in water. See Phalaenopsis cultivation

Propagation

Cuttings or offshoots (keikis) may root successfully when roots are 2cm long

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants

Pruning

Cut back flowered stems to a lower node to encourage the production of further flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free