Orchidaceae
Epidendrum nocturnum: The Night-Scented Orchid
Epidendrum nocturnum
Grow this orchid mounted or potted in a coarse, well-draining bark mix, with bright filtered light and strong air movement. Water thoroughly when the medium starts to dry, feed lightly during active growth, and keep humidity moderate to high for best flowering.
Every 6 days
Bright indirect
16ยฐ - 27ยฐC
50% - 70%
Categories
What is Night-Scented Orchid?
Night-Scented Orchid (Epidendrum nocturnum) is a hard-care plant from the Orchidaceae family. Epidendrum nocturnum, commonly called the night-scented orchid, is an epiphytic orchid native to Florida, the Bahamas, the West Indies, and Central America through to northern Brazil and the Guyanas. It grows tall, leafy reed-like stems up to about a meter high, topped with clusters of green to yell...
Night-Scented Orchid grows up to 1.0m, watering every 6 days, 16ยฐC โ 27ยฐC, 50โ70% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike easy-care plants, Night-Scented Orchid demands constant attention to humidity and light. Not recommended for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Night-Scented Orchid is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 12 days.
How to Care for Night-Scented Orchid?
TLDR: Night-Scented Orchid needs Bright indirect, watering every 6 days, and temperatures between 16-27ยฐC with 50-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Night-Scented Orchid?
Water thoroughly when the top of the bark mix begins to dry, then let excess water drain away completely. Avoid letting roots sit in standing water -- this orchid is prone to root rot if kept too wet.
How Much Light Does Night-Scented Orchid Need?
Give it bright, filtered light and avoid direct afternoon sun. An east-facing windowsill indoors, or 30-50% shade cloth outdoors, works well.
What Is the Best Soil for Night-Scented Orchid?
Use a coarse orchid bark mix with added perlite and a little charcoal for aeration and drainage. Avoid dense potting soils that trap excess moisture around the roots.
What Pot Should You Use for Night-Scented Orchid?
A slotted or mesh orchid pot, or mounting on cork bark or tree fern fiber, to give roots maximum airflow and drainage.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 7 days
Misting
Every 3 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Night-Scented Orchid and Where Does It Come From?
Epidendrum nocturnum, commonly called the night-scented orchid, is an epiphytic orchid native to Florida, the Bahamas, the West Indies, and Central America through to northern Brazil and the Guyanas. It grows tall, leafy reed-like stems up to about a meter high, topped with clusters of green to yellow-brown flowers with a broad white lip. The blooms open with a subtle daytime scent but release a powerful, sweet fragrance -- often compared to eucalyptus or anise -- after dark, which is how the species earned its name.
How to Propagate Night-Scented Orchid?
Keiki removal
Do not remove a keiki before its roots are well developed, or it may fail to establish.
- 1 Wait for a keiki (baby plantlet) to form roots at least 2-3 cm long on the flower stalk or stem
- 2 Cut the keiki away from the parent stem with a clean, sharp blade
- 3 Pot the keiki in a small container with fine orchid bark mix
- 4 Keep humidity high and light bright but indirect until the keiki establishes
Materials needed:
Clump division
Use a sterile cutting tool and dust cut surfaces with cinnamon or fungicide to prevent rot.
- 1 Remove the mature plant from its pot or mount
- 2 Separate the rhizome into sections with at least 3 healthy stems and roots each
- 3 Pot each division into fresh bark mix
- 4 Keep in humid, shaded conditions until new growth appears
Materials needed:
How Big Does Night-Scented Orchid Grow?
TLDR: Night-Scented Orchid can reach up to 1.0m tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
1.0m
Growth rate
Medium
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 Night-Scented Orchid?
TLDR: Night-Scented Orchid is susceptible to 10 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.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
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.
Meaning & Symbolism
Because its flowers release their strongest fragrance only after dark, the night-scented orchid is often linked to hidden beauty, mystery, and quiet resilience.
Fun Facts
Its flowers can bloom from summer through winter, and sometimes year-round in ideal conditions.
The fragrance intensifies dramatically at night to attract moths and other nocturnal pollinators.
New plantlets called keikis often form along the flowering stem and can be removed to grow new plants.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Epidendrum nocturnum called the night-scented orchid?
How often should I water Epidendrum nocturnum?
Is Epidendrum nocturnum easy to grow indoors?
Is Epidendrum nocturnum toxic to pets?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticky false asphodel | Hard | Bright indirect | 1d | โ |
| Creeping bentgrass | Hard | Direct sun | 3d | โ |
| Bulbous Adder's-tongue | Hard | Partial shade | 4d | โ |
| Crystal Anthurium | Hard | Partial shade | 7d | โ ๏ธ |
Choose & Compare
Sources & References
- Epidendrum Nocturnum Plant Care & Growing Basics | PlantIn
- Epidendrum nocturnum - Wikipedia
- Epidendrum nocturnum (Epidendrum Orchid) - Backyard Gardener
- Epidendrum nocturnum - OrchidSpecies.com
- Epidendrum nocturnum (Night Fragrant Epidendrum) - Go Orchids
- Our ULTIMATE Guide for Epidendrums! (Crucifix Orchids) - UK Houseplants