Thelymitra silena Plant Care
Thelymitra silena D.L.Jones
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Thelymitra silena, commonly called madonna sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Tasmania. It has a single thick, fleshy, channelled leaf and up to fifteen pale blue flowers with an almost spherical yellow lobe on top of the anther.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Thelymitra silena?
Thelymitra silena grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Thelymitra silena Native To?
What Is the Thelymitra silena?
Thelymitra silena (Thelymitra silena) belongs to the Orchidaceae family within the Thelymitra genus. Thelymitra silena is native to Tasmania.
Thelymitra silena displays a terrestrial, lithophytic growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Thelymitra silena produces colorful orchid-like flowers in various shades.
What Light Does the Thelymitra silena Need?
Thelymitra silena thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Thelymitra silena 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 Thelymitra silena?
Well-draining orchid mix with bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Thelymitra silena to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Thelymitra silena?
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 Thelymitra silena?
Thelymitra silena can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sun orchid plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Thelymitra silena Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Thelymitra silena, 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 Thelymitra silena?
Thelymitra silena 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
Thelymitra silena 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 Thelymitra genus — compare its care with other Thelymitra species on PlantoScan.
Thelymitra is part of the Orchidaceae plant family — browse all Orchidaceae genera and species.
Thelymitra silena thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Thelymitra Species
Other Thelymitra species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Thelymitra silena D.L.Jones, family Orchidaceae (first published in Orchadian 12: 518 (1999)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Thelymitra silena, 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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