
Photo: Sandra KellerCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Orchid Plant Care
Eulophia euglossa Rchb.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its broad, glossy green leaves and intricate purple and white flowers, this plant hails from the tropical forests of Madagascar. Plant collectors covet Eulophia euglossa for its striking appearance and rarity, making it a prized addition to any collection.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Orchid?
Plant Orchid in bright indirect light (USDA zones 11a–12b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Orchid Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Orchid?
Orchid (Eulophia euglossa) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Eulophia genus. Orchid is native to the western coast of Africa, as well as the nations of Central African Republic and Ethiopia.
Orchid displays an upright, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Orchid produces showy spikes of colorful flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Orchid?
Water a young or newly planted Orchid 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 Orchid Need?
Orchid thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Orchid in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Orchid Prefer?
Eulophia euglossa tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Orchid prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Orchid?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark chips and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Orchid to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Orchid?
Feed Orchid every 6 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 6 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 Orchid?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining orchid mix with bark chips and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Orchid is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.
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 Orchid?
Orchid can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Orchid?
Prune Orchid 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 Orchid in Winter?
Orchid is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). 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 Orchid?
Orchid can be propagated through division, back bulbs. Similar propagation techniques also apply to guinea eulophia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Orchid Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list 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 Orchid?
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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Orchid Need?
Orchid grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Orchid is native to the western coast of Africa, as well as the nations of Central African Republic and Ethiopia. In cooler regions, grow Orchid as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 11a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
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 Eulophia genus — compare its care with other Eulophia species on PlantoScan.
Eulophia is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Orchid thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eulophia Species
Other Eulophia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eulophia euglossa Rchb.f., family Orchidaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 92: t. 5561 (1866)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list 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.
- Photo: Sandra Keller, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
