Pleione formosana

Also Known As

Terrestrial Orchid
The Formosa Pleione
Windowsill Orchid

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber, orchid

size

H: 4"-8"
W: 4"-12"

planting zones

8b-10b

More Options

Pleione formosana plant details

Pleione formosana is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber or orchid with green foliage. In spring lavender, pink and white flowers emerge. Grows well with bright shade - mostly shade and regular water. Prefers to be dry when dormant. Does well in acidic, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Pleione formosana

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber or orchid
Plant family: orchidaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 4 IN - 12 IN - wide, 4 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: lavender, pink and white blooms in spring
Uses: alpine, container plant, houseplant, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Pleione formosana

USDA Zones: 8b - 10b
Sun exposure: bright shade - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Exquisite terrestrial orchid that is easy to grow and bloom in a container and outside in the ground in warmer zones if one can avoid winter wet (under a ledge or an eave). Oversized lavender pink flowers with frizzle edging April May are extremely showy. Plants offset and increase fairly easily. Gritty, fast draining, loose soil, moist during growth and bloom, dryish after flowers/leaves fade; light shade. Easy to overwinter in a cool room or greenhouse.

By: Secret Garden Growers

This is one of the best and easiest of a genus of beautiful dwarf terrestrial orchids that can be grown successfully outdoors in many climates (we have had a clump blooming for many years in the Alpine Garden here at the RSBG). Probably best in a container or on an old stump or log. Will be shipped as a blooming-size dormant bulb.

By: Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

An almost-hardy orchid, with flowers almost as big as the whole plant. Some species are frost tender; this one takes at least 25 °F in excellent draining soil. In colder regions it can be wintered over on a cool, bright windowsill. Pleiones start making new roots right when they are blooming and should be watered little until right after bloom.

By: Edelweiss Perennials

Blooms: early spring, 3" across, pink-purple w/ white & yellow throat, attractive pleated foliage Zone 7-9. 6", China, part shade-shade, moist, well drained.

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

This is a surprisingly hardy terrestrial Orchid that is quite easy to grow given a couple of rules. Loose crumbly organic/gritty well-drained soil and fairly dry in the winter. We've friends who grow these easily in Port Ludlow unprotected in rotting logs, stumps and deep moss on rocks.