Pleione: planting, growing, and caring for

Description and Botany

Pleiones are part of the Orchidaceae family and more specifically belong to the subfamily Epidendroideae. These are small orchids native to the humid subtropical forests at high altitudes (between 1,000 and 3,300 m) around the Himalayan range, found in northern India, Myanmar, southern China, Thailand, and Laos. The genus Pleione currently includes about twenty species that are either epiphytic (growing on other plants) or lithophytic (living directly on rocks).

Pleiones are sympodial plants, meaning that the plant will branch in such a way that the apical bud degenerates, forcing the plant to grow in a “zigzag” pattern through the development of lateral buds. The plant develops on a pseudobulb. The foliage is deciduous, disappearing in winter.

Their relatively small size, rarely exceeding 15 cm in height, makes the flowers of Pleione appear monstrously large. The flowering features a tubular lip with fringed edges up to 8 cm long. This lip is surrounded by long, thin sepals and petals that range in colour from white to mauve.

Depending on the species, each pseudobulb will produce one to two leaves and only one to two flowers. Unfortunately, these flowers will only brighten your garden for about fifteen days in early spring. But what jewels they are!

Due to their natural origins, these orchids should be grown in a cool greenhouse with a winter rest period. However, in temperate regions, it is possible to keep them in the garden in a rockery or under trees. Although biologically more epiphytic, Pleiones can be grown in the ground like other garden orchids (such as Cypripediums, for example).

From the end of winter, sometimes as early as March, growth resumes vigorously, producing new young shoots. Flowering occurs quickly in May-June, sometimes even a bit earlier. After this flowering, the orchid will produce its leaves (10 to 20 cm long) to continue its vegetative cycle and other pseudobulbs from the first. In autumn, the leaves will yellow and fall, and Pleiones enter winter dormancy. The orchid then seems to completely disappear, surviving underground only through its pseudobulbs. In spring, the new bulb(s) formed will start their growth, and so on year after year.

Some Pleiones

The main species of Pleiones

• Pleione aurita

A Pleione with dark pink petals and sepals surrounding a pink lip, the centre of the lip featuring an orange colouration. This species is native to western Yunnan (China).

• Pleione bulbocodioides

The most typical of the genus Pleione, with its large intense pink flowers featuring a fringed lip spotted red on the inside. This species is native to the mountains of China and Tibet.

• Pleione formosana or Formosan Pleione or Window Orchid

This Pleione is native to Taiwan, China, and can be found as far as the Himalayas. The flowers are slightly pink, veined with white, with a fringed lip that is sometimes spotted red on the inside. The shapes and colours vary greatly depending on the geographical origin of the species. Notably, there is a white variety named ‘Alba’.

• Pleione grandiflora

The Large-flowered Pleione boasts, as its name suggests, very large flowers for the genus. The colour ranges from white to lavender pink with a heart often yellow. It can be found in nature from southern Yunnan (China) to northwestern Vietnam.

• Pleione hookeriana

Very close to Pleione humilis, its flowers are pure white with a bit of yellow in the lip. Its geographical origin ranges from Nepal to southern China.

• Pleione humilis

This is certainly one of the most beautiful species of the genus Pleione, with its cream-white flowers featuring a mauve interior. This species, native to East Asia, is characterised by very early flowering, sometimes as early as February.

• Hybrid Pleiones

Some hybrid Pleiones also exist. They are known as ‘Verdi’, ‘Tongariro’, or ‘Rossini’ for the most well-known.

The main species and varieties of Pleiones

Pleione formosana

Pleione formosana is a beautiful terrestrial orchid with spotted lilac-pink flowers, easy to grow in sheltered gardens. In open ground, this small orchid prefers a soil that is low in lime, humus-bearing, cool, and well-drained or even porous, in a semi-shaded or sunny position north of the Loire.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the full description

Pleione formosana Alba - Windowsill orchid

Pleione formosana 'Alba' is a rare terrestrial orchid with white flowers featuring a trumpet-shaped lip, white spotted with very light yellow and fringed edges, easy to cultivate and a delight in gardens. Pleione formosana 'Alba' adds a poetic touch in pots, shaded rockeries, or in groups at the foot of a tree.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the full description

Pleione forrestii

Pleione forrestii is the only terrestrial orchid with lemon-yellow to pale yellow flowers with a purple-spotted centre. It has long been sought after by collectors for its unusual colour. Native to China, Pleione forrestii is unfortunately not very hardy. Outdoor cultivation is quite technical and will be reserved for knowledgeable enthusiasts.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the full description

Pleione Tongariro bulbs

Pleione Tongariro is a beautiful terrestrial orchid, easy to grow in sheltered gardens, with bright fuchsia pink flowers that bring vibrancy to spring flowering.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the full description

Planting Pleiones

Where to plant?

If possible, in a semi-shaded position. The sun is beneficial for them early in the morning and late in the day, but the base of a tree with light foliage will be perfect to limit sun exposure during the hottest hours.

It is possible to grow pleiones in full sun, but only in the north of the Loire and if the soil remains very moist, such as near a water source. However, be cautious of summer sun, which can quickly burn and completely dry out the plant.

Pleiones are semi-hardy and can be planted outdoors in the ground in certain regions. However, if frosts of -8/-10 °C persist for several days, the bulbs may freeze. Growing in pots or containers is therefore preferable to allow you to bring your pleiones into a cold greenhouse.

When to plant?

The planting of pleiones takes place in winter, outside of frost periods, during the vegetative rest of the pseudo-bulbs. Never move a pleione when it starts its growth in spring!

How to plant?

Depending on the species, pleiones do not all grow on the same support (rocks, trees, or directly in the soil). However, you can grow all pleiones in the same substrate: in the ground, a pocket of good light, humus-bearing, and porous potting mix that retains moisture well will be ideal. In pots, choose a special orchid potting mix supplemented with a bit of pumice for drainage. Keep in mind that the container should be wide enough as the new bulbs will grow around the old mother bulb.

Place your pseudo-bulbs in the substrate or soil about every 15 cm, leaving 1/3 of the bulb above the surface.

In pots or in the ground, you can cover your pseudo-bulbs with a thin layer of chips. In autumn, a good mulch of fallen leaves will help them get through the winter safely if you do not bring them in.

→ Learn more about the cultivation of Pleione in pots in our advice sheet.

Maintenance and Care

Watering

Watering should only be moderate at the start of growth. Afterwards, it is essential to keep the substrate or soil moist during flowering and until the leaves begin to yellow. As soon as they fall, stop watering until growth resumes!

Pleiones, like all orchids, have high water requirements. The watering water should, if possible, be low in minerals and slightly acidic. The ideal is collected rainwater.

Care

As soon as the first severe frosts arrive, place your potted pleiones in a cold greenhouse (between 1 and 4°C) but frost-free. You can bring your pots out again around early April or later depending on your climate.

During the warm season, you must ensure to keep your pleiones below a temperature of 25°C by any means: shading, daily misting, ventilation…

You should cut the flower stem flush with the leaves when the flower fades. Leaving the flower would unnecessarily drain energy from the bulb.

Repotting is done during the dormant period in winter. As soon as the new shoots start to grow: do not touch them! A broken pleione root will never be replaced.

A simple NPK 15-15-15 horticultural fertiliser will be sufficient throughout the growth period. If you want to be particular, you might say that fertilisation should be richer in phosphate at the beginning of growth and then richer in nitrogen and potassium after flowering.

Potential Diseases and Pests

No pests to consider. At most, slugs might be tempted by the first shoots, but this is quite rare.

Botrytis, grey mould, may appear on flowers in poorly ventilated greenhouses. There is no risk in open ground.

Too much light or insufficient humidity can cause leaf necrosis: they become soft and develop elongated brown spots. It is advisable to move pleiones immediately if they are in pots or, in winter, for outdoor cultivation.

Multiplication of Pleiones

Forget about sowing, which is too complicated and unpredictable!

Division of Pleiones

The division will take place during the dormant period in winter.

Remove the plant from its pot and take off some of the substrate, being careful not to damage the roots. If your pleiones are in soil, dig them up using a dibber or a spade. Cut a section of the rootstock that includes roots and one or more pseudo-bulbs with a clean, sharp blade. You can seal the cut wound with an antiseptic solution to prevent diseases.

You can also remove any dried old roots and dead leaves. Afterwards, you can repot or place your newly divided young plants in well-moistened, but not waterlogged, substrate.

How to pair pleiones?

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In Pots or Containers

This is the simplest solution for growing pleiones, especially if you live north of the Loire, in Switzerland, or Belgium. Choose beautiful lacquered containers to place on a wrought iron table with an old-world charm. Pleiones are particularly well showcased in large “bonsai” type containers. Firstly, you can try two lovely pleiones whose flowering will follow one another: Pleione forestii, which blooms lemon yellow with a purple heart between March and April, and Pleione ‘Tongariro’, which blooms fuchsia pink between April and May. These orchids are collector’s plants, so it would be inappropriate to add ordinary neighbours. A beautiful pot of Hosta ‘Praying Hands’ with rolled and slender bright green leaves edged in cream-yellow, along with a small tuft of Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’, an amazing plant reminiscent of ferns, will bring a touch of freshness around the orchids. To finish on an exotic note, an Arisaema concinnum with its original flowering will tastefully accompany the flowering of your pleiones.

An idea for pot or container association: Arisaema concinnum, Pleione forestii, Pleione Tongariro, Hosta ‘Praying Hands’, and Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’

In the Ground Under a Light-Foliaged Tree

Do you live in a mild climate with acidic, well-drained soil? Then, find a beautiful light-foliaged tree in your garden and plant a cluster of Pleione formosana ‘Alba’, a variety with immaculate white flowers. Plant them in small odd groups: 3, 5, 7… to start. If they thrive, you will soon have a true “field” of orchids. Especially if you accompany them with a few other white Asian and semi-hardy orchids: Calanthe aristulifera. To succeed the sadly ephemeral flowering of the pleiones, you might try an unknown perennial with a few tufts of Dianella revoluta ‘Coolvista’, which will provide blue flowers with a yellow heart throughout the summer. To bridge the flowering of the pleiones and that of the Dianella, what could be better than a hardy geranium (flowering May-June): for example, this spectacularly exotic Geranium maderense with pink flowers that will reach over a metre in height. But the important thing under a tree is to have a decor that remains beautiful all year round. In this case, Vinca difformis will provide a vigorous, persistent groundcover punctuated by star-like blue flowers almost all year round.

An idea for association in the ground under light shade: Geranium maderense, Pleione formosana ‘Alba’, Dianella revoluta ‘Coolvista’, Vinca difformis, and Calanthe aristulifera

In Semi-Shaded Rockeries

Pleiones are plants for semi-shaded rockeries, which is quite unusual. Fortunately, other perennials have the same needs. The typical species of Pleione formosana will feel right at home alongside a lovely collection fern for fresh rockeries: Adiantum aleuticum ‘Imbricatum’. The Canadian Anemone is a vigorous little groundcover that also thrives in shady rockeries and rewards us with vigorous white star-like flowers from May to July. A few scattered tufts of Gentiana makinoi ‘Blue Star’, a Japanese gentian with blue flowers that last all summer, will add a touch of azure to the ensemble. The evergreen foliage of some Carex flacca will be perfect at the highest point of the rockery, where it can cascade naturally.

An idea for association in semi-shaded rockeries: Gentiana makinoi (like ‘Blue Star’), Pleione formosana, Adiantum aleuticum ‘Imbricatum’, Carex flacca, and Anemone canadensis

Did you know?

• The genus Pleione is named after a character from Greek mythology: the mother of the seven Pleiades, the oceanid Pleione.
• The name Pleione is also that of a star in the constellation Taurus.
• Never put dead leaves from orchids in your compost, as they contain calcium oxalate, which is harmful to the wildlife that lives there (and helps create your compost!).
• The species name “formosana” refers to Formosa, the former name of the island of Taiwan.