Plant Height: 12 inches
Flower Height: 24 inches
Spread: 6 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 6
Other Names: Giant Helleborine, Chatterbox
Description:
A native of western North America, where it is found at the margins of springs, streams, and lakes; interesting orchid blooms that appear in spring are reddish-brown with purple veins; never allow to completely dry out, even when dormant
Features & Attributes
Stream Orchid features unusual spikes of brick red orchid-like flowers with brown overtones, crimson throats and purple veins rising above the foliage from early spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its pointy leaves remain forest green in color throughout the year.
This is an herbaceous evergreen houseplant with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. This plant may benefit from an occasional pruning to look its best.
Planting & Growing
When grown indoors, Stream Orchid can be expected to grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 6 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This houseplant will do well in a location that gets either direct or indirect sunlight, although it will usually require a more brightly-lit environment than what artificial indoor lighting alone can provide. It prefers to grow in moist to almost wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. As such, the surface of the soil should be kept consistently moist to the touch, and you can expect to water this plant two or more times each week, especially if it's growing in a lower-humidity environment. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time. It is not particular as to soil type or pH; an average potting soil should work just fine.
There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.
