Lady of the night orchid Brassavola nodosa
Lady of the night orchid (Brassavola nodosa) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Orchidaceae family, native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America, often on mangroves and coastal trees. It grows 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
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Lady of the night orchid at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America, often on mangroves and coastal trees |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Lady of the night orchid 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 Lady of the night orchid
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Lady of the night orchid
- How far apart should I plant Lady of the night orchid?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Lady of the night orchid need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lady of the night orchid need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Lady of the night orchid?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Lady of the night orchid flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Lady of the night orchid 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 Lady of the night orchid?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lady of the night orchid. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- Pencil-like, succulent leaves and pale green-white flowers with a broad white heart-shaped lip that pour out a citrus scent only at night, for the moths that pollinate them. Tough and easy: grow it mounted on bark in bright light.
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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