Small-tongued Greenhood Plant Care
Pterostylis microglossa D.L.Jones & C.J.French
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pterostylis microglossa, commonly known as Kalbarri shell orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves flat on the ground but flowering plants lack a rosette and have a flowering stem with leaves and a single green, white and brownish-red flower.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Small-tongued Greenhood?
Small-tongued Greenhood grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Small-tongued Greenhood Native To?
What Is the Small-tongued Greenhood?
Small-tongued Greenhood (Pterostylis microglossa) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Pterostylis genus. Small-tongued Greenhood is native to the south-west of Western Australia. Small-tongued Greenhood is also known as Small-tongued Shell Orchid.
Small-tongued Greenhood displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Small-tongued Greenhood produces unique, intricate orchid-like flowers.
What Light Does the Small-tongued Greenhood Need?
Small-tongued Greenhood thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Small-tongued Greenhood in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small-tongued Greenhood?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Small-tongued Greenhood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Small-tongued Greenhood?
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 Small-tongued Greenhood?
Small-tongued Greenhood can be propagated through division, seed sowing. Similar propagation techniques also apply to abrupt greenhood plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small-tongued Greenhood Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small-tongued Greenhood, 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 Small-tongued Greenhood?
Small-tongued Greenhood 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
Small-tongued Greenhood 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 Pterostylis genus — compare its care with other Pterostylis species on PlantoScan.
Pterostylis is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Small-tongued Greenhood thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Pterostylis Species
Other Pterostylis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pterostylis microglossa D.L.Jones & C.J.French, family Orchidaceae (first published in Austral. Orchid Rev. 77(4): 41 (2012)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small-tongued Greenhood, 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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