Tiger Orchid Plant Care

Grammatophyllum martae Quisumb. ex Valmayor & D.Tiu

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Grammatophyllum martae is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It is endemic to the Philippines.

🪴Houseplants🌸Orchids
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Tiger Orchid?

Plant Tiger Orchid in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Tiger Orchid Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Tiger Orchid?

Tiger Orchid (Grammatophyllum martae) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Grammatophyllum genus. Tiger Orchid is native to the Philippines.

Tiger Orchid displays a large epiphytic orchid growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Tiger Orchid produces showy, large flowers in yellow, green, brown or red.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Tiger Orchid?

Water a young or newly planted Tiger Orchid every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees 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 Tiger Orchid Need?

Tiger Orchid thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Tiger 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 Tiger Orchid Prefer?

Grammatophyllum martae tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Tiger Orchid 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 Tiger Orchid?

Well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Tiger Orchid to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Tiger Orchid?

Feed Tiger Orchid every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 Tiger Orchid?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tiger Orchid is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Tiger Orchid?

Tiger Orchid can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Tiger Orchid?

Prune Tiger 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 tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Tiger Orchid in Winter?

Tiger Orchid 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 Tiger Orchid?

Tiger Orchid can be propagated through division, back bulbs. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tiger orchid plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Tiger Orchid Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Tiger 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 Tiger Orchid?

Tiger Orchid 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tiger Orchid Need?

Tiger Orchid grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tiger Orchid is native to the Philippines. In cooler regions, grow Tiger Orchid as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Tiger 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 Grammatophyllum genus — compare its care with other Grammatophyllum species on PlantoScan.

Grammatophyllum is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.

Tiger Orchid 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: Grammatophyllum martae Quisumb. ex Valmayor & D.Tiu, family Orchidaceae (first published in Philipp. Orchid Rev. A-V(3): 18 (1983)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tiger 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.
  • 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.

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