Triana's Cattleya Plant Care
Cattleya trianae Linden & Rchb.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cattleya trianae, also known as Flor de Mayo or "Christmas orchid", is a species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae. It grows as an epiphytic orchid, with succulent leaves, endemic to Colombia where it was nominated as the national flower in November 1936.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Triana's Cattleya?
Plant Triana's Cattleya in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Triana's Cattleya Native To?
What Is the Triana's Cattleya?
Triana's Cattleya (Cattleya trianae) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Cattleya genus. Triana's Cattleya is native to Colombia. Triana's Cattleya is also known as Christmas Orchid.
Triana's Cattleya displays an upright, pseudobulbous growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Triana's Cattleya produces showy, colorful blooms in various sizes and shapes.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Triana's Cattleya?
Water a young or newly planted Triana's Cattleya every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Triana's Cattleya Need?
Triana's Cattleya thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Triana's Cattleya in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Triana's Cattleya Prefer?
Cattleya trianae tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Triana's Cattleya prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Triana's Cattleya?
Loose, well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Triana's Cattleya to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Triana's Cattleya?
Feed Triana's Cattleya every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Triana's Cattleya?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and loose, well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Triana's Cattleya is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Triana's Cattleya?
Triana's Cattleya can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Triana's Cattleya?
Prune Triana's Cattleya while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Triana's Cattleya in Winter?
Triana's Cattleya is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Triana's Cattleya?
Triana's Cattleya can be propagated through division, back bulbs, keiki propagation. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cattleya orchid plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Triana's Cattleya Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Triana's Cattleya, 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 Triana's Cattleya?
Triana's Cattleya is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, aphids. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Triana's Cattleya Need?
Triana's Cattleya grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Triana's Cattleya is native to Colombia. In cooler regions, grow Triana's Cattleya as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Triana's Cattleya 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 Cattleya genus — compare its care with other Cattleya species on PlantoScan.
Cattleya is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Triana's Cattleya thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cattleya Species
Other Cattleya species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cattleya trianae Linden & Rchb.f., family Orchidaceae (first published in Wochenschr. Gärtnerei Pflanzenk. 3: 67 (1860)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Triana's Cattleya, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
