Papilionanthe teres

A vigorous monopodial orchid native to tropical Asia, producing racemes of large, showy flowers with broad, rounded and undulate petals and sepals, and a contrasting labellum with a dark, spotted center. Its distinctive terete, cylindrical leaves give it an unmistakable silhouette and strong drought tolerance compared to flat-leaved orchids.

• Light: High light with 20–40% shade cloth or bright filtered sun; requires strong light to bloom reliably — insufficient light is the most common cause of failure to flower.
• Temperature: 65–95°F (18–35°C); a warm to hot grower that thrives in tropical conditions with good air movement.
• Humidity: 60–80%; tolerates lower humidity better than most orchids due to its terete leaves, but benefits from regular misting in dry environments.
• Watering: Water thoroughly and allow to dry slightly between waterings; the terete leaves store moisture, making it more drought-tolerant than sympodial orchids.

Additional Notes

Papilionanthe teres is best grown in a hanging basket or mounted with excellent drainage and strong air movement around the roots. It is shipped bare root in well-established condition and adapts quickly to warm, bright growing environments.