Monkey orchid
Orchis simia · Orchidaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant monkey orchid: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- Spring (April-May)
- Adult size
- 20 to 40 cm tall
- Hardiness
- Hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor
- Soil type
- Chalky, well-drained, rich in organic matter
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
Care
Exposure
Place your Monkey Orchid in a sunny to partially shaded spot. This wild orchid appreciates bright locations but protected from the scorching summer rays. In its natural habitat, it grows in grasslands and semi-open chalky meadows.
Soil and planting
Prefer chalky, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. In pots, use a specific substrate for terrestrial orchids enriched with potting soil. In the garden, plant the tubers in autumn approximately 5-8 cm deep in an area without water stagnation.
Watering
Keep the soil slightly moist during the growth phase (autumn to spring). Gradually reduce watering after flowering. During summer dormancy, let the soil dry to respect the plant's natural resting period.
Fertilizer
Apply diluted balanced fertilizer in spring when stems emerge. Limit applications as this terrestrial orchid prefers moderately enriched soils. Prefer light feeding once or twice before flowering.
Diseases and pests
Watch for tuber rot if moisture is excessive: ensure impeccable drainage. Protect from slugs which can devour leaves and flowers. Indoors, ventilate regularly to prevent fungal attacks.
Did you know?
The Monkey Orchid owes its common name to the extraordinary resemblance of its flowers to a small simian silhouette: the upper petals represent the arms and the lateral sepals the legs of a monkey. This terrestrial orchid is protected in several European regions where it becomes increasingly rare due to the conversion of chalky meadows.
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.