Lepanthes orchids

Lepanthes is a Pleurothallid-alliance genus of over one thousand species, native to the New World tropics with the highest diversity in the Andean cloud forests of South America. Almost all species are miniatures, some no larger than a centimetre at mature size, with single small leaves and thread-like flower stems bearing intricate jewel-like blooms. The flowers are small but often spectacularly patterned with iridescent markings, prompting close examination with a magnifying glass rather than viewing from across a room.

The genus is the province of specialist collectors who cultivate whole collections of miniature orchids in terrariums or small cases. Many species flower repeatedly over long periods, with new blooms opening on the same inflorescence for months or years.

General care for the genus (species, hybrids and cultivars vary, so check with the grower for a specific plant): cool temperatures (nights 10 to 15 °C, day maximum 22 °C), low to medium light (800 to 1,500 footcandles), very high humidity (80 to 95 percent), constant airflow, evenly moist fine sphagnum or very fine bark. Terrarium culture is standard.

Species include Lepanthes calodictyon, Lepanthes telipogoniflora, Lepanthes gargoyla, and Lepanthes escobariana. The genus is large enough that new species are described regularly. Listings below come from the nurseries we index, most of them re-checked nightly; prices are shown in USD.