Drakaea livida Plant Care
Drakaea livida J.R.Drumm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Drakaea livida, commonly known as warty hammer orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It is pollinated by a single species of male thynnid wasp using sexual deception.
Filtered sunlight
At a glance
How do you care for Drakaea livida?
Drakaea livida grows best in filtered sunlight.
Where Is the Drakaea livida Native To?
What Is the Drakaea livida?
Drakaea livida (Drakaea livida) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Drakaea genus. Drakaea livida is native to the south–west of Western Australia. Drakaea livida is also known as Livid Hammer Orchid.
Drakaea livida displays a ground orchid growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Drakaea livida produces unique, intricate orchid flowers.
What Light Does the Drakaea livida Need?
Drakaea livida thrives in filtered sunlight. Avoid placing Drakaea livida in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Filtered sunlight
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Drakaea livida?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Drakaea livida to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Drakaea livida?
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 Drakaea livida?
Drakaea livida can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to andrews' hammer orchid plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Drakaea livida Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Drakaea livida, 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 Drakaea livida?
Drakaea livida 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
Drakaea livida 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 Drakaea genus — compare its care with other Drakaea species on PlantoScan.
Drakaea is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Drakaea livida produces blooms — browse other flowering plants.
More Drakaea Species
Other Drakaea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Drakaea livida J.R.Drumm., family Orchidaceae (first published in London J. Bot. 1: 628 (1842)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Drakaea livida, 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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