Polystachya orchids

Polystachya is a pantropical genus of around two hundred species, with the greatest diversity in Africa and smaller distributions in the Americas and Asia. The name means "many-spiked", reflecting the typically branched inflorescences with multiple flower-bearing axes. Plants are generally small epiphytes with pseudobulbs and two to four narrow leaves. Flowers are small but often produced in abundance, in whites, yellows, and russet shades.

One notable structural feature: Polystachya flowers are non-resupinate, meaning the lip points upward at the top of the flower rather than downward. This is the opposite of most orchids and gives the genus a distinctive appearance.

General care for the genus (species, hybrids and cultivars vary, so check with the grower for a specific plant): intermediate to warm temperatures (nights 15 to 20 °C), medium to bright light (1,800 to 2,800 footcandles), regular watering with drying between, 60 to 75 percent humidity. Small pots with medium or fine bark, or mounts for smaller species.

Species include Polystachya pubescens (a common bright yellow-flowered African species), Polystachya bella, Polystachya campyloglossa, and Polystachya affinis. Listings below come from the nurseries we index, most of them re-checked nightly; prices are shown in USD.