Cochleanthes flabelliformis

Cochleanthes flabelliformis is a compact, fan-shaped orchid from the humid forests of Central and South America, grown without pseudobulbs so its soft, light-green leaves overlap into a graceful open fan. From the base of that fan rise single, waxy flowers with pale greenish-white petals and a broad, flaring lip washed in deep violet-blue with darker radiating veins. The blooms carry a fresh, sweet fragrance that is strongest in the warmth of the morning, and a well-grown plant can flower more than once a year.

Care Guide

• Light: Bright, indirect light or light shade. Its thin leaves burn easily, so keep it out of direct sun.
• Water: Water regularly so the roots never dry out completely, allowing only the surface of the medium to dry between waterings. This orchid has no pseudobulbs and cannot store moisture.
• Humidity: High, ideally 60-80%, with gentle air movement to keep the foliage from spotting.
• Temperature: Intermediate, roughly 16-27°C (60-80°F), with a slight drop at night.
• Growing medium: A fine to medium bark mix with sphagnum moss, or a well-drained pot that holds moisture without becoming stale. Repot every one to two years as the medium breaks down.
• Feeding: A balanced orchid fertilizer at quarter to half strength with most waterings during active growth, flushing the pot with clear water monthly.

Elegant, fragrant, and refreshingly easy to please under intermediate conditions, Cochleanthes flabelliformis is a rewarding choice for growers who want something a little different from the usual orchids. Give it steady moisture and soft light, and those violet-lipped flowers will keep coming back.