Pink lady's slipper
Cypripedium acaule · Orchidaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant pink lady's slipper: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Type
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to June
- Mature size
- 20 to 40 cm tall
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -40°C)
- Origin
- North America (Quebec, Ontario, United States)
- Exposure
- Shade to partial shade
Care
Exposure
Lady's slipper orchids thrive in partial to dense shade, ideally beneath forest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight, which burns their delicate foliage. A location at the base of trees or near a north-facing hedge suits them perfectly.
Soil and planting
This orchid prefers soil rich in organic matter, well-draining and slightly acidic to neutral. Improve the soil with compost or peat. The plant establishes an essential mycorrhizal symbiosis: transplant only if necessary and preserve the original growing medium.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during spring growth and flowering. Reduce watering after blooming and during winter dormancy. Prefer soft water or rainwater to avoid mineral buildup.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is needed if the soil is rich in organic matter. If you wish to supplement, use very dilute balanced fertilizer in spring, or better yet, top-dress with fine compost.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is required. Let the foliage die back naturally in autumn. Remove spent flowers to direct the plant's energy, but keep the leaves until they disappear completely.
Diseases and pests
Relatively robust in natural conditions, it can suffer from root rot if soil is too wet or poorly drained. Slugs and snails enjoy its foliage: mulch lightly or use physical barriers if needed.
Did you know?
The lady's slipper orchid, also called Venus's slipper, owes its name to the distinctive pouch-like shape of its flower, which resembles a shoe. This particular morphology traps pollinators, usually small bees, which find only one way out: as they leave, they become covered in pollen. It's a masterpiece of evolution and an emblematic orchid of North American deciduous forests.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chinese ground orchidBletilla striata
- Moth orchidPhalaenopsis amabilis
- Spotted orchidDactylorhiza maculata
- Lesser twaybladeNeottia ovata
- Broad-leaved helleborineEpipactis helleborine
- Western Marsh-orchidDactylorhiza majalis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.