Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) Cymbidium ensifolium
Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) (Cymbidium ensifolium) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Orchidaceae family, native to East and South-east Asia, from Japan and southern China to India and Indonesia. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | East and South-east Asia, from Japan and southern China to India and Indonesia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium)
- How far apart should I plant Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs.
- What grows well with Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Four-season orchid (jian lan, sword-leaved cymbidium). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
Notes and assumptions
- A terrestrial orchid of grassy, arching leaves and spikes of small, pale yellow-green, strongly fragrant flowers in summer and autumn. Cultivated in China for over a thousand years; the orchid is one of the “Four Gentlemen” of Chinese painting, a symbol of the scholar’s modest virtue. Cherished cultivars with variegated leaves fetch huge prices.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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