Maxilla Bulbophyllum Plant Care
Bulbophyllum maxillare Rchb.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Bulbophyllum maxillare, commonly known as the red horntail orchid, is a species of epiphytic orchid with tapered grooved, dark green to yellowish pseudobulbs, each with a single large, thin leaf and a single reddish flower with yellow or white edges. The lateral sepals are much larger than the dorsal sepal which in turn is much larger than the petals.
Bright indirect to dappled shade
At a glance
How do you care for Maxilla Bulbophyllum?
Maxilla Bulbophyllum grows best in bright indirect to dappled shade.
What Is the Maxilla Bulbophyllum?
Maxilla Bulbophyllum (Bulbophyllum maxillare) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Bulbophyllum genus.
Maxilla Bulbophyllum displays an epiphytic, clumping orchid growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Maxilla Bulbophyllum produces unique, intricate flowers often with complex shapes and patterns.
What Light Does the Maxilla Bulbophyllum Need?
Maxilla Bulbophyllum thrives in bright indirect to dappled shade. Avoid placing Maxilla Bulbophyllum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to dappled shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Maxilla Bulbophyllum?
Loose, well-draining orchid mix with bark and sphagnum moss. Good drainage is essential for Maxilla Bulbophyllum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Maxilla Bulbophyllum?
Repot every 1-2 years after flowering. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Maxilla Bulbophyllum?
Maxilla Bulbophyllum can be propagated through division, back bulbs, keiki propagation. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bulbophyllum acuminatum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Maxilla Bulbophyllum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Maxilla Bulbophyllum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Maxilla Bulbophyllum?
Maxilla Bulbophyllum is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Maxilla Bulbophyllum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Bulbophyllum genus (family Orchidaceae) — search all Bulbophyllum species in the plant lookup.
Maxilla Bulbophyllum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Bulbophyllum Species
Other Bulbophyllum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bulbophyllum maxillare Rchb.f., family Orchidaceae (first published in Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 248 (1861)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Maxilla Bulbophyllum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Maxilla Bulbophyllum Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species