Orchidaceae
Florida Butterfly Orchid (Encyclia tampensis)
Encyclia tampensis
A small, tough orchid that does best mounted on a rough-barked tree or a piece of wood. It likes plenty of light, with morning sun and afternoon shade, and moving air. Water about once a week during the growing season and let the roots dry between waterings. It cannot take frost: below about 7 °C, bring it indoors.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
7° - 32°C
% - %
Categories
What is Florida butterfly orchid?
Florida butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis) is a easy-care plant from the Orchidaceae family. Encyclia tampensis is an epiphytic orchid native to Florida and the Bahamas, with a variety in Cuba. In the wild it clings to southern live oaks, pond apples, mangroves, bald cypress, pines and palms. The pseudobulbs are small, about 7 cm, and clustered, each carrying two narrow, stiff leaves up to...
Florida butterfly orchid grows up to 30cm, watering every 7 days, 7°C – 32°C. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Florida butterfly orchid tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Florida butterfly orchid is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Florida butterfly orchid?
TLDR: Florida butterfly orchid needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 7-32°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Florida butterfly orchid?
Water about once a week in spring and summer, ideally with rainwater, and let the roots dry before the next watering. Water less in winter. Roots that stay wet all the time rot.
How Much Light Does Florida butterfly orchid Need?
Bright, filtered light. Outdoors, morning sun and shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. Indoors, next to a very bright window. In deep shade it barely blooms.
What Is the Best Soil for Florida butterfly orchid?
It does not need soil. It grows best tied to a piece of rough-barked wood or a tree trunk. In a pot, use a loose bark orchid mix that dries quickly.
What Pot Should You Use for Florida butterfly orchid?
Best mounted on a rough-barked slab or branch. If potted, use a small clay pot or slatted basket with coarse bark mix.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
What Is Florida butterfly orchid and Where Does It Come From?
Encyclia tampensis is an epiphytic orchid native to Florida and the Bahamas, with a variety in Cuba. In the wild it clings to southern live oaks, pond apples, mangroves, bald cypress, pines and palms. The pseudobulbs are small, about 7 cm, and clustered, each carrying two narrow, stiff leaves up to 16 cm long. From late spring through summer it sends up a thin, sometimes branched stem with several 2.5-4 cm flowers: green to bronze petals around a white lip with a purple spot. The flowers smell of honey. The common name comes from the way they flutter in a breeze like butterflies.
How to Propagate Florida butterfly orchid?
Division
Divide when new roots are starting in early spring. Very small pieces take years to bloom.
- 1 Wait until the plant forms a large clump with many pseudobulbs
- 2 Cut it with a clean knife into pieces with at least 3 pseudobulbs each
- 3 Tie each piece to a wooden mount or pot it in orchid mix without burying the pseudobulbs
- 4 Keep it in bright light and water lightly until new roots attach
Materials needed:
How Big Does Florida butterfly orchid Grow?
TLDR: Florida butterfly orchid can reach up to 30cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
30cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Florida butterfly orchid?
TLDR: Florida butterfly orchid is susceptible to 2 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Fun Facts
The name tampensis refers to Tampa, Florida, near where it was first collected.
It is one of the most common native orchids in Florida, yet collecting it from the wild there requires a permit.
There is an all green-and-white form without the purple spot on the lip, known as alba.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my Encyclia tampensis bloom?
Can I plant it in potting soil?
How much cold can it take?
How often should I fertilize it?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
Choose & Compare
Sources & References
- Wikipedia - Encyclia tampensis
- Orchid Species (IOSPE) - Encyclia tampensis
- NTBG / The Kampong - Tampa Butterfly Orchid
- Gardening Know How - Grow a butterfly orchid
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - Encyclia tampensis
- Selbyana - Population dynamics of Encyclia tampensis in Florida
- USF Atlas of Florida Plants - Encyclia tampensis
