Dancing Ladies Orchid is an epiphytic tropical orchid native to Brazil and Argentina in the Orchidaceae family. It is found in coastal mountains and along inland creeks and marshes in the native habitat. It tends to grow on trees but can also grow on the ground. Grow this plant in an orchid mix that drains freely. It likes bright but indirect light, humidity of 50-80 % and moist soil. It has yellow flowers with brown to dark purple blotches that appear from fall through winter. The leaves are leathery and green. Climbing roots grow from the stem and pseudobulbs are present to hold water during drought periods. It may be best grown in a conservatory-type setting. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur with too moist conditions and poor draining soils
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.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Form & Appearance
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Oblong
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leathery green oblong leaves occur in pairs and are 4-12 inches long and 1-2 inches wide. They sheath the stem and 2 pseudobulbs are at the base
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Irregular; Lipped
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers grow in clusters with many blooms on the branched stems. They have 3 petals surrounded by 3 sepals. Lower petals are larger and yellow with brownish purple at the throat and the small upper petals are blotched with purple-brown. They are 1-1.5 inches and showy. They bloom in fall and winter.
Bloom time
Fall; Winter
Stem detail
Multi-branched stems are zig zaged
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Brazil, Argentina
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Garden tags
#tropical feel #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #orchid #humidity tolerant #epiphytic