Bamboo orchid

Bamboo orchid Care

Arundina graminifolia

What is the plant

Arundina graminifolia is a species of orchid and the sole accepted species of the genus Arundina. Arundina graminifolia is a terrestrial, perennial orchid with reedy stems, forming into large clumps growing to a height between 70 cm and 2 m.

Arundina graminifolia is a terrestrial orchid with foliage that resembles a bamboo, hence the common name of bamboo orchid. It is native to southeast Asia. Reedy stems grow to 5-6' tall to form large clumps. Stems are clad with narrow linear grass-like leaves (each to 4-8" long) with sheaths that wrap the stems. Cattleya-like flowers (to 2-3" across) bloom throughout the year, but more heavily in summer. Each flower features white or pink tepals and a ruffled pink to rose labellum with a yellow center. Each flower is followed by a ribbed seed capsule which splits open when ripe to release its powdery seeds into the wind. Synonymous with and formerly known as Arundina bambusifolia and Bletia graminifolia. Genus name comes from the Latin word arundo meaning a reed. Specific epithet means having grass-like leaves.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

10b - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water the orchid frequently enough that its medium or mix never dries out completely. Keep the air moist around it by placing it in a humid room, such as a bathroom, or setting it atop a humidity tray.
Fertilizer
Fertilize it once a week from spring to fall with a 20-20-20 plant food, mixing 1/4 teaspoon of the crystals into 1 gallon of water. Always follow label instructions.
Sunlight
The bamboo orchid prefers full sun or at least partial sun, so position it on or near a south-facing windowsill.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Soil
The bamboo orchid isn't picky about its medium and can be grown in regular potting soil, sphagnum moss or a more typical orchid mix of 1 part organic potting soil, 1 part coarse orchid bark and 1 part sand.
Temperature
The plant can be grown in the areas with the lowest winter temperatures of +4.4°C (40°F). Inside, provide temperatures between temperatures between 16 and 27°C (60 and 80°F).
Container
This plant can be grown in a container. Choose a pot with enough drainage holes. Where not winter hardy, this orchid may be grown in containers that are brought indoors in winter before first fall frost.