Sword Spider Orchid Plant Care
Caladenia ensata Nicholls
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Caladenia ensata, commonly known as the stumpy spider orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a common orchid within its natural range and has a single, hairy leaf and up to three pale yellow and red flowers which have short but thick, fleshy glandular tips.
Bright indirect to dappled sunlight
At a glance
How do you care for Sword Spider Orchid?
Sword Spider Orchid grows best in bright indirect to dappled sunlight.
Where Is the Sword Spider Orchid Native To?
What Is the Sword Spider Orchid?
Sword Spider Orchid (Caladenia ensata) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Caladenia genus. Sword Spider Orchid is native to the south-west of Western Australia.
Sword Spider Orchid displays a terrestrial, tuberous growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Sword Spider Orchid produces colorful, intricate orchid flowers with unique shapes and patterns.
What Light Does the Sword Spider Orchid Need?
Sword Spider Orchid thrives in bright indirect to dappled sunlight. Avoid placing Sword Spider Orchid in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to dappled sunlight
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sword Spider Orchid?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark chips and sphagnum moss. Good drainage is essential for Sword Spider Orchid to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Sword Spider Orchid?
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 Sword Spider Orchid?
Sword Spider Orchid can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to winged spider orchid plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sword Spider Orchid Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sword Spider Orchid, 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 Sword Spider Orchid?
Sword Spider Orchid is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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
Sword Spider Orchid 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 Caladenia genus — compare its care with other Caladenia species on PlantoScan.
Caladenia is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Sword Spider Orchid thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Caladenia Species
Other Caladenia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Caladenia ensata Nicholls, family Orchidaceae (first published in Vict. Naturalist 64: 138 (1947)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sword Spider Orchid, 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.
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