Southern Sarcochilus Plant Care
Sarcochilus australis Rchb.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sarcochilus australis, commonly known as butterfly orchid or Gunn's tree orchid, is a small epiphytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has up to ten oblong, dark green leaves and up to fourteen small green to yellowish or brownish flowers with a mostly white labellum.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Southern Sarcochilus?
Southern Sarcochilus grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Southern Sarcochilus Native To?
What Is the Southern Sarcochilus?
Southern Sarcochilus (Sarcochilus australis) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Sarcochilus genus. Southern Sarcochilus is native to eastern Australia.
Southern Sarcochilus displays an epiphytic, compact clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Southern Sarcochilus produces small, fragrant flowers in various colors like white, pink, and purple.
What Light Does the Southern Sarcochilus Need?
Southern Sarcochilus thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Southern Sarcochilus 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 Southern Sarcochilus?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Southern Sarcochilus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Southern Sarcochilus?
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 Southern Sarcochilus?
Southern Sarcochilus can be propagated through division, back bulbs, keiki propagation. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hill's sarcochilus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Southern Sarcochilus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Southern Sarcochilus, 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 Southern Sarcochilus?
Southern Sarcochilus 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.
Keep exploring plants
Southern Sarcochilus 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 Sarcochilus genus — compare its care with other Sarcochilus species on PlantoScan.
Sarcochilus is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Southern Sarcochilus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sarcochilus Species
Other Sarcochilus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sarcochilus australis Rchb.f., family Orchidaceae (first published in Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 501 (1863)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Southern Sarcochilus, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Southern Sarcochilus Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species