Pink Lady's Slipper.

At a glance

Care level

Difficult

Plant type

Perennial orchid

Light

Dappled shade

Indoor light

Medium light

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

15 to 30 cm

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 7

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

This plant requires a specialized mycorrhizal fungus in the soil to survive, making it nearly impossible to keep in a pot. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Watch for signs of stress like yellowing leaves, which often indicate the plant is struggling to adapt to its site.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but ensure it drains well to prevent root rot.

Feeding

Do not fertilize this plant as it relies on soil fungi for nutrients.

Pruning

Remove dead foliage only after the plant has gone completely dormant in late autumn.

Repotting

This plant does not tolerate disturbance and should not be repotted.

Soil

Acidic, sandy, or peaty soil

Soil pH

4.0 to 5.5

Temperature

-35 to 25°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Safety

People

The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation to the mouth and throat.

Children

Keep children away from the plant as the hairs can cause skin irritation and the plant is toxic if eaten.

Contact allergens

The glandular hairs on the stem and leaves can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this species.

Edibility

This plant is not edible and may cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested.

How to identify it

• Two large basal leaves
• Single pink pouch shaped flower
• Deeply cleft labellum
• Hairy flowering stem
• Found in acidic forest soil

Height

0.2 to 0.4m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, white, 5 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

• Root RotCommon
• Slugs and SnailsCommon
• DehydrationUncommon
• Leaf ScorchUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Always plant in soil that mimics the natural forest floor, including plenty of organic matter and acidic pine needles.

Grows well with

• Eastern Hemlock · Provides the acidic leaf litter and dappled shade this orchid prefers.
• Christmas Fern · Thrives in similar woodland conditions without competing for space.

Similar species

• Yellow Lady Slipper · Shares the iconic slipper shape but prefers slightly more alkaline soil.

Science

Family

Orchidaceae

Genus

Cypripedium

Order

Asparagales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States.

Conservation

This orchid is protected in many states and should never be collected from the wild.

It grows in acidic, nutrient poor soils in coniferous or deciduous forests where it forms a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi.

Value to wildlife

attracts bees for pollination (no nectar reward)

Pollinators

bees

Uses

ornamental woodland garden, native plant restoration

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in my backyard?

Only if you can replicate its specific acidic, woodland soil requirements and fungal symbionts.

Why is my plant not flowering?

It may be lacking sufficient light or the essential soil fungi required for energy.

Where the name comes from

The name Cypripedium comes from Greek words meaning Venus and shoe, referring to the slipper shape. Acaule means stemless, describing the basal leaves.

Good to know

• It is the provincial flower of Prince Edward Island.
• The flower features a specialized pouch that traps bees to ensure pollination.
• It is one of the most common orchids in North America.
• The plant can live for many years in the right conditions.

Also in

• Plants for shade