Venus Slipper Plant Care
Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Calypso is a genus of orchids containing one species, Calypso bulbosa, known as the calypso orchid, fairy slipper or Venus's slipper. It is a perennial member of the orchid family found in undisturbed northern and montane forests.
Bright indirect to filtered sunlight
At a glance
How do you care for Venus Slipper?
Venus Slipper grows best in bright indirect to filtered sunlight.
What Is the Venus Slipper?
Venus Slipper (Calypso bulbosa) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Calypso genus. Venus Slipper is native to undisturbed northern and montane forests. Venus Slipper is also known as Fairy Slipper, Calypso Orchid, Pine Orchid.
Venus Slipper displays an epiphytic, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Venus Slipper produces showy, colorful blooms in various shapes and sizes.
What Light Does the Venus Slipper Need?
Venus Slipper thrives in bright indirect to filtered sunlight. Avoid placing Venus Slipper in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to filtered sunlight
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Venus Slipper?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Venus Slipper to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Venus Slipper?
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 Venus Slipper?
Venus Slipper can be propagated through division, back bulbs.
Is the Venus Slipper Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Venus Slipper, 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 Venus Slipper?
Venus Slipper 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
Venus Slipper 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 Calypso genus — compare its care with other Calypso species on PlantoScan.
Calypso is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Venus Slipper thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes, family Orchidaceae (first published in Cat. Vermont Pl. : 28 (1842)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Venus Slipper, 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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