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Cymbidium suave

snake orchid

Orchidaceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Cymbidium suave is an evergreen epiphytic orchid that grows in the hollows and decaying wood of living trees, forming clumps of long, grassy, arching leaves 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) long from an elongated, cane-like stem rather than a swollen pseudobulb. The fibrous roots run through soft, rotting heartwood inside tree trunks and limbs. Arching to hanging flower spikes 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long carry 10-40 flowers in late spring and summer, each 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) across, green to yellow-green or brownish with a dark-marked lip, and sweetly scented. The flowers draw native bees. It grows on rough-barked eucalypts and other trees in forest and woodland, often high in the trunk. Plants are slow-growing and long-lived, the stems lengthening over many years. The clump stays green year-round and tolerates dry spells through the moisture held in its host wood.

Native Range

Cymbidium suave is native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to eastern Victoria. It grows as an epiphyte in the hollows and rotting wood of living trees in eucalypt forest, woodland, and the margins of rainforest, mostly within reach of the coast and ranges.

Suggested Uses

Cymbidium suave is grown by orchid enthusiasts on logs, slabs, and in baskets of coarse bark in shaded, humid, frost-free positions. It is used in collections of native epiphytic orchids and in shade and bush houses. Its slow growth and need for decayed-wood conditions make it unsuited to general garden beds.

How to Identify

Recognised by clumps of long, grassy, arching leaves growing from a cane-like stem without a swollen pseudobulb, set in the hollow or rotting wood of a tree. Hanging spikes carry many small green to brownish sweetly scented flowers in summer. Distinguished from Cymbidium canaliculatum by its softer grass-like leaves and its habit of rooting in decayed heartwood rather than open hollows in drier trees.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'

Width/Spread8" - 1'8"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Arching to hanging spikes of green to brownish flowers open in late spring and summer (October to January). Each spike carries 10-40 sweetly scented flowers that last about two to three weeks. Flowering is heaviest on established clumps with several growths.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

green to brown

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cymbidium suave grows in part shade to filtered light with high humidity and good air movement, on a very coarse, open, bark-based medium or in a hollow log rather than in soil. It needs sharp drainage and does not respond well to disturbance of its running roots. The plant tolerates short dry spells through the moisture held in decayed wood, but it grows slowly and takes years to form a flowering clump. Watering and light feeding through the warm growing season support growth, with less water in winter. It is grown by orchid specialists in baskets or on logs in frost-free conditions. Snails, slugs, and scale insects attack the foliage and flowers.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to removing spent flower spikes and dead leaves to keep the clump open. The cane-like stems and live roots are left undisturbed, as breaking them sets the plant back for years. No shaping is needed.