Phalaenopsis amabilis
Common name: Moth orchid · Moon orchid
Phalaenopsis amabilis is an epiphytic orchid native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia, where it grows on trees in warm, humid lowland forests. It produces arching sprays of large, long-lasting white flowers, sometimes more than twenty per spike. It is one of the most important parents of modern hybrid moth orchids and is the ancestor of most white-flowered Phalaenopsis sold today. It is also one of Indonesia's national flowers.
Care summary
Sun
Bright indirect light; no direct midday sun
Water
Water when roots turn silvery; never let sit in water
Soil
Chunky bark-based orchid mix; epiphytic, not soil
Hardiness
Zones 10–12 (tender, grow indoors elsewhere)
Mature height
About 30–90 cm (1–3 ft) including flower spike
Pet safe
Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty
Moderate
Propagation
At home it is propagated from keikis, the small plantlets that sometimes form on nodes of the flower spike. When a keiki has roots several centimeters long, cut it off with a short piece of stem and pot it in fine orchid bark or sphagnum. Other methods require sterile flask culture and are not practical for hobbyists.
Fun facts
- Its white flowers inspired the genus name Phalaenopsis, meaning "moth-like" in Greek.
- It is one of Indonesia's three national flowers, called anggrek bulan ("moon orchid").
- It was the first Phalaenopsis species used in hybridization, back in the late 1800s.
- Individual flowers can stay open for two months or more on the plant.