Cattleya Orchids Care Tips

Botanical Name: Cattleya orchid species and hybrids

Big, frilly petals in gorgeous colors make Cattleya the hands-down favorite of many orchid growers. Members of the Orchidaceae family, Catts are among the best-known. This is the genus you'll find in Mother's Day corsages.

Frilly petals and a large lip in a contrasting color are the hallmarks of Cattleyas orchids.

Get to Know Cattleya Orchids

Although there are more than 50 cattleya species, most you'll find today are complex hybrids.

You'll find Cattleya orchids for sale most often in spring, when most are in bloom. However, their blooming time varies by species. 

Cattleyas usually bloom in clusters of 2 to 6 flowers. You'll find them available in a range of colors, including pink, white, yellow, purple and red. Their lip colors are usually contrasting to the rest of the flower. You can expect each flower to last about a month.

Beautiful cattleyas are native to the tropical jungles, where they thrive in warm, misty breezes and dappled sunlight. Catts make their home near the treetops in their native habitat and need brighter light than many other orchids. So, how do you create a compatible environment in your home? Fortunately, this is easier than it seems.

Cattleya Orchid Problems, Solutions and Special Helps

Cattleya orchids may refuse to bloom if they don't get enough light. Put your orchids in a well-ventilated location where they'll get plenty of light, but out of direct sun. If you don't have a spot near a window, fluorescent grow lights work beautifully. Use 1 warm white tube and 1 cool white tube under a reflector. Put your orchids about 8 inches (20 cm) beneath the light and keep the lights on for 14-16 hours a day. It's important to give them darkness at night. Plants need a rest, too.

Gorgeous Cattleyas are among the showiest orchids, as well as easy for beginners. Photo ©Denis Doukhan

To repot...or not. Fir bark mix breaks down after a couple years and needs replaced. Catts can be finicky about being repotted at the wrong time. In fact, some even resent being in a pot. However, if you get the timing right, orchids will forgive the disturbance and will bloom on schedule. The best time to repot your orchid is when new growth begins, shortly after blooming is over. Pot them in a smallish container; Cattleyas bloom best when their roots are confined. Besides, using a too-large pot will hold too much moisture, which can lead to root rot. 

Got a reluctant bloomer? Give your orchid slightly cooler nighttime temperatures to spark blooming. A 15° difference will do. Cattleyas will tolerate varying temperatures from 60° nights up to 85° days. They usually flower once a year, and with good cattleya orchid care, you can expect blooms year after year.

Something bugging your orchid? Mealybugs sometimes take up residence on houseplants. They are tiny, white and fuzzy. You may find mealybugs clustered at the base of the leaves. Left alone, they'll suck plant juices from the orchid, weakening the plant. Remove mealybugs by gently scraping them off, then treat the plant right away with an insecticide to prevent them from moving on to your other indoor plants.

Tips for Growing Cattleya Orchids

Origin: Central and South America

Height: Species vary widely

Light: Bright indirect light year-round. Some direct morning sun is fine. Light, yellow-green leaves are a sign of too much sunlight; move your orchid to a shadier spot.

Water: Water thoroughly and allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings. Cattleyas store water in their thick leaves and pseudobulbs, making them more tolerant of dry soil than wet.

Humidity: Moderate to high, preferably 50-70% relative humidity. Raise the humidity if it drops below 50%. Use a humidity tray or room humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. Grouping plants also helps to maintain the humidity around them.

Temperature: Slightly cooler (60-70°F/16-21°C) nights, and warmer (75-85°F/24-29°C) days will trigger blooming.

Soil: Orchid potting mix or half-half mix of medium-grade fir bark and perlite

Fertilizer: Orchids like a steady diet of nutrients, and a fertilizer specially made for orchids will give them just what they want to grow and bloom. Feed every 2 weeks with orchid fertilizer while plant is growing (spring and summer), and once a month the rest of the year.

Propagation: Divide pseudobulbs into clumps of 3 or more and pot in separate containers.

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