Bat Orchid Plant Care
Chiloglottis sphyrnoides D.L.Jones
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chiloglottis sphyrnoides, commonly known as forest wasp orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. It has two dark green leaves and a single green or reddish pink flower with a shiny black, insect-like callus surrounded by red club-shaped calli on two-thirds of the base of the labellum.
Filtered light, avoid direct sun
At a glance
How do you care for Bat Orchid?
Bat Orchid grows best in filtered light, avoid direct sun.
Where Is the Bat Orchid Native To?
What Is the Bat Orchid?
Bat Orchid (Chiloglottis sphyrnoides) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Chiloglottis genus. Bat Orchid is native to north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland.
Bat Orchid displays a terrestrial, ground-hugging growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Bat Orchid produces unique, intricate flowers with intricate markings.
What Light Does the Bat Orchid Need?
Bat Orchid thrives in filtered light, avoid direct sun.
Light Requirement
Filtered light, avoid direct sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bat Orchid?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Bat Orchid to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Bat 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 Bat Orchid?
Bat Orchid can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to anatomical bird orchid plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bat Orchid Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bat 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 Bat Orchid?
Bat 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
Bat 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 Chiloglottis genus — compare its care with other Chiloglottis species on PlantoScan.
Chiloglottis is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Bat Orchid thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chiloglottis Species
Other Chiloglottis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chiloglottis sphyrnoides D.L.Jones, family Orchidaceae (first published in Austral. Orchid Res. 2: 41 (1991)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bat 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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