Autumn lady's tresses
Spiranthes spiralis · Orchidaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant autumn lady's tresses: 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
- Flowering
- August to October
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm in height
- Foliage
- Deciduous, in basal rosette
- Hardiness
- Zone 5 to 8 (minimum -15 °C)
- Origin
- Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia
- Soil
- Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
Care
Light exposure
Place your spiranthes in a semi-shaded position or full sun depending on local heat intensity. It appreciates gentle light and prefers airy environments. Avoid zones of excessive heat in Mediterranean regions.
Watering
Keep the soil slightly moist during the growing period (spring-summer), without excess water. Reduce watering in autumn and winter when the plant goes dormant. Adequate drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Soil preparation
Prepare a light, well-drained substrate enriched with potting soil and perlite or sand. Spiranthes appreciate slightly acidic pH. Plant them in pots or in rockeries where drainage is optimized.
Fertilizer
Apply very diluted fertilizer once a month during the growing season (April to September). Favor light applications: terrestrial orchids are not heavy feeders. Stop all feeding in winter.
Pruning and cleanup
No pruning is necessary. Simply remove dried leaves and faded flowers after autumn flowering. Leave the basal rosette intact to allow for winter dormancy.
Diseases and pests
Monitor particularly for excessive moisture which promotes rot and fungal issues. Pests are rare in cultivation. Ensure good ventilation and avoid foliar watering to keep your plant healthy.
Did you know?
Autumn lady's-tresses takes its scientific name from its remarkable flowering: its tiny white or pale pink flowers spiral in a regular spiral around the stem, like a botanical spring. It is one of the rare wild European orchids and is protected in several regions. In the Middle Ages, it was considered a magical plant capable of resolving romantic conflicts!
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.