Long-tailed Orchid Plant Care
Caladenia longicauda Lindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Caladenia longicauda is a species of plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is distinguished by its large leaf and by its up to five large, white flowers which have drooping sepals and petals with long, thickish brown "tails".
Bright indirect to dappled sunlight
At a glance
How do you care for Long-tailed Orchid?
Long-tailed Orchid grows best in bright indirect to dappled sunlight.
Where Is the Long-tailed Orchid Native To?
What Is the Long-tailed Orchid?
Long-tailed Orchid (Caladenia longicauda) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Caladenia genus. Long-tailed Orchid is native to the south-west of Western Australia. Long-tailed Orchid is also known as White Fingers.
Long-tailed Orchid displays a terrestrial, tuberous growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Long-tailed Orchid produces colorful, intricate orchid flowers with unique shapes and patterns.
What Light Does the Long-tailed Orchid Need?
Long-tailed Orchid thrives in bright indirect to dappled sunlight. Avoid placing Long-tailed 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 Long-tailed Orchid?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark chips and sphagnum moss. Good drainage is essential for Long-tailed Orchid to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Long-tailed 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 Long-tailed Orchid?
Long-tailed 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 Long-tailed Orchid Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Long-tailed 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 Long-tailed Orchid?
Long-tailed 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
Long-tailed 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.
Long-tailed 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 longicauda Lindl., family Orchidaceae (first published in Edwards's Botanical Register - Appendix to Vols 1-23: A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony 1839) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Long-tailed 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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