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Epidendrum spp.

epidendrums

Orchidaceae

Tropical and subtropical Americas (Florida and Mexico to South America)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Epidendrum spp. is a genus of about 1,500 species of orchids in the family Orchidaceae, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas. Most are epiphytes that perch on tree branches, though some grow on rocks or in the ground. The genus takes two broad forms: reed-stemmed species with tall, leafy canes, such as the crucifix orchid (E. radicans), and species with thickened pseudobulbs topped by a few leathery leaves. Plants range from 6 inches to 6 feet (15-180 cm) tall. The flowers are small to medium and held in clusters, with a lip that is fused to the central column, a feature that helps define the genus. Flower color spans orange, red, pink, purple, yellow, green, and white, and reed-stemmed types can bloom for much of the year. The genus is native from Florida and Mexico through the Caribbean to Central and South America, mostly in warm, humid, brightly lit habitats. Plants are frost-tender and grown outdoors only in frost-free climates, or under glass and as houseplants elsewhere. They need free-draining, airy rooting material rather than ordinary soil.

Native Range

Epidendrum spp. is native to the warm regions of the Americas, from Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean south through Central America to subtropical South America. Most species grow as epiphytes in humid forests, with some on rocks or open, sunny banks.

Suggested Uses

Grown as flowering houseplants and greenhouse and conservatory orchids, mounted on bark or grown in pots and baskets. In frost-free climates reed-stemmed types are planted in beds and on banks for long-running color. The cut flower heads are also used in tropical floristry.

How to Identify

Identify Epidendrum spp. by its clustered small to medium orchid flowers in which the lip is fused along the central column, rather than free as in many other orchids. Plants take the form of either tall, leafy reed-like canes or short pseudobulbs bearing a few leathery leaves. The reed-stemmed crucifix orchids carry rounded heads of starry orange, red, or pink flowers. Aerial roots growing from the stems are common in the epiphytic species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 6'

Width/Spread6" - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering varies by species, but many Epidendrum spp., especially the reed-stemmed crucifix orchids, bloom in repeated flushes through much of the year in warm conditions. Each flower head opens its flowers in succession over many weeks. Butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers of several species.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange, red, pink, purple, yellow, green, or white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 4-8 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 Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years to flowering size

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Epidendrum spp. in bright light to part shade in an open, free-draining orchid mix of bark, perlite, and charcoal rather than soil, with conditions on the acidic side near pH 5.5-6.5. Water when the mix approaches dryness and let excess drain freely, increasing watering and humidity in active growth and easing off in cool spells. The genus is hardy only in zones 9-11 and is grown under glass or indoors where frost occurs, kept above about 50°F (10°C). Feed with a dilute orchid fertilizer through the growing season. Scale, mealybugs, and aphids on flower spikes are the main pests, and root rot follows soggy, airless mix. Reed-stemmed types grow tall and may need staking and support.

Pruning

Spent flower spikes are cut off once flowering finishes, though some reed-stemmed types rebloom from old spikes and are left until they brown. Tall canes are staked rather than cut, as the leafy stems carry the next flowers. Plant divisions and stem keikis can be removed and potted to renew old clumps.