Photo: Erick Vélez SánchezCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth Plant Care
Malaxis brachystachys (Rchb.f.) Kuntze
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is characterized by its tiny green leaves with a unique heart shape. It originates from the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Malaxis brachystachys for its rare beauty and intriguing growth habits, making it a coveted addition to any collection.
Every 3–7 days
Bright indirect light
65–75°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
Water Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth Native To?
What Is the Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth (Malaxis brachystachys) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Malaxis genus. Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth is native to Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States (Arizona). Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth is also known as Short-Spiked Malaxis.
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth displays a clumping, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth produces small, delicate flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
Malaxis brachystachys requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth Need?
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth Prefer?
Malaxis brachystachys grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
Feed Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
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 Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth can be propagated through division, keiki propagation. Similar propagation techniques also apply to malaxis excavata plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth, 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 Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth?
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth 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
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth 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 Malaxis genus — compare its care with other Malaxis species on PlantoScan.
Malaxis is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Malaxis Species
Other Malaxis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Malaxis brachystachys (Rchb.f.) Kuntze, family Orchidaceae (first published in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 673 (1891)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Short-Spiked Adder's Mouth, 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: Erick Vélez Sánchez, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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