Miltoniopsis orchids

Miltoniopsis is the "pansy orchid", native to the Andean cloud forests of Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. Its flowers are large, flat-faced, and patterned with bold colour blocks in purples, pinks, and whites — instantly recognisable and often compared to garden pansies. Modern hybrid breeding has intensified the patterns and pushed the flower count per spike into the double digits.

The genus is distinct from Miltonia (a separate Brazilian lowland genus) even though the two are often conflated by retailers. Miltoniopsis species and hybrids are cool-growing and react poorly to heat; Miltonia plants tolerate warmer conditions.

General care for the genus (species, hybrids and cultivars vary, so check with the grower for a specific plant): bright indirect light (1,500 to 2,000 footcandles), cool to intermediate temperatures (nights 13 to 16 °C, day maximum 24 °C), high humidity (60 to 80 percent), evenly moist medium that never dries out fully. Medium fir bark with added sphagnum, or pure fine bark. Good airflow prevents disease in the humid conditions they prefer.

Notable hybrids include Herralexandre, Andrea West, and Red Tide. Species parents include Miltoniopsis roezlii, Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis, and Miltoniopsis vexillaria. Listings below come from the nurseries we index, most of them re-checked nightly; prices are shown in USD.