Moderate Epiphyte Safe for pets

Easter Orchid

Cattleya mossiae

A classic Cattleya species known for its large, fragrant, delicate pink to lavender flowers with a frilly, yellow-marked lip.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

18–28 °C

How to care for your Easter Orchid

Everything you need to keep your Easter Orchid healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Easter Orchid is a magnificent species, highly prized for its exceptionally large and fragrant blooms. Flowers typically feature delicate shades of pink or lavender, with a strikingly frilly lip adorned with yellow markings. It is a unifoliate Cattleya, meaning it has one leaf per pseudobulb. This orchid requires bright light, a distinct wet/dry cycle, and good air circulation to thrive and produce its spectacular spring display. It's a favorite among Cattleya enthusiasts for its beauty and ease of growth.

Watering your Easter Orchid

Every 7 days

Water thoroughly when the potting mix is completely dry; allow good air circulation.

How to know it needs water

Potting mix is bone dry
Pseudobulbs start to wrinkle slightly

How much light a Easter Orchid needs

Bright indirect light

Bright, indirect light with some filtered direct sun, especially in morning.

Direct sun tolerated: 1 to 4 h a day
Orientations that suit it: East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-east, North-west

Humidity and misting

50–70 %

Moderate (50-70%). Misting can supplement humidity but avoid water on flowers.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Fertilize heavily during active growth; reduce frequency and strength in winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced orchid fertilizer (1/2 strength). · 20-20-20

Repotting your Easter Orchid

Every 24 months

Repot with coarse orchid bark mix; avoid deep planting and overpotting.

When: Spring, when new roots emerge from a new growth.
Potting mix: Orchid mix
Mix in: pine bark, sphagnum moss, perlite

The tell-tale signs

Plant outgrowing pot
Media decomposition

Pruning your Easter Orchid

After flowers fade. Cut spent flower spikes at the base; remove any yellowing or dead leaves.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 11 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

11 J
8 F
6 M
6 A
6 M
6 J
6 J
6 A
6 S
7 O
8 N
11 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Native to Venezuela, where it is the national flower.
Traditionally blooms around Easter, hence its common name.

Frequently asked questions about the Easter Orchid

How do you care for a Easter Orchid?

Water it every 7 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 18–28 °C. Water thoroughly when the potting mix is completely dry; allow good air circulation.

How often should you water a Easter Orchid?

Every 7 days Water thoroughly when the potting mix is completely dry; allow good air circulation. How to know it needs water : Potting mix is bone dry ; Pseudobulbs start to wrinkle slightly.

How much light does a Easter Orchid need?

Bright indirect light Bright, indirect light with some filtered direct sun, especially in morning. 1 to 4 h a day

Is the Easter Orchid toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Easter Orchid is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Easter Orchid leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Easter Orchid?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring, when new roots emerge from a new growth.. Repot with coarse orchid bark mix; avoid deep planting and overpotting.