Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) Disa uniflora
Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) (Disa uniflora) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Orchidaceae family, native to Western Cape mountain streams and waterfalls (wet rock and moss). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 4–6 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Western Cape mountain streams and waterfalls (wet rock and moss) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Orchids are generally listed as non-toxic to pets.
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 Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kirstenbosch (8 plants)
Questions about Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain)
- How far apart should I plant Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain)?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) flower?
- From about January for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain) 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. Orchids are generally listed as non-toxic to pets.
- What grows well with Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Red disa (Pride of Table Mountain). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: gardens and collections, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Notes and assumptions
- Grows beside running water on Table Mountain; scarlet flowers pollinated only by the Table Mountain beauty butterfly. Emblem of the Western Province.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tiger orchid Grammatophyllum speciosum
- Vanda Miss Joaquim Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim
- Moon orchid (moth orchid) Phalaenopsis amabilis
- Pigeon orchid Dendrobium crumenatum
- Philippine ground orchid Spathoglottis plicata
- Bamboo orchid Arundina graminifolia
- Veitch's masdevallia Masdevallia veitchiana
- Crimson cattleya Cattleya labiata