Tropical lady slippers are herbaceous perennials in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). Lady slippers are native to a wide area from India to China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and New Guinea. Most members of this genus are terrestrial though a few are epiphytic or lithophytic. They are the tropical cousins of our native Cypripedium . The flowers range in color, shape, and size, but all have the characteristic slipper-shaped lip. These orchids are tolerant of low light and shade, needing only 500 to 2,500 fc (full, direct sunlight is approximately 10,000 fc by comparison). They enjoy temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees F and relatively high humidity of no less than 60%. The potting medium must be a special mix for terrestrial orchids. It should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out. They are tolerant of transplanting and repotting and intolerant of broken-down potting medium, so repot at least once a year with fresh potting mix. There are 109 recognized species and thousands of hybrids. Most species bear one flower per growth, but a few species and their hybrids have several flowers per inflorescence. The flowers of lady slippers are waxy and long-lasting. Growers recognize that the warm-growing lady slippers usually have mottled foliage. Those without mottled foliage prefer cool, moist atmospheres that mimic their montane habitats. Warm-growing species and hybrids can summer out of doors in suitably shady spots. Cool-growing species and hybrids should not be placed outside in the summer unless the temperatures are always cool. Quick ID: No pseudobulb, but each new growth has a fan of leaves. "Pouch" on the lip of each flower Colorful flowers with spots, stripes, or contrasting venation VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves may be relatively short and ovate to obovate in shape or longer and closer to linear. They may be solid in color or mottled.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower detail
Singular flowers on stalks 3"-24" in height. Most stand upright though some are arching. All species' flowers have a "pouch" at the bottom of the flower, reminiscent of its namesake. The lateral sepals may be fused. The petal size, shape, and color varies among species, ranging anywhere from 1"-12" and round to thin to wavy. The flowers last from 1-2 months.