How to Grow and Care for Sweet-Smelling Coconut Orchid

For orchid lovers, the coconut orchid (Maxillaria tenuifolia) is well worth adding to your collection. This easy-to-grow, medium-sized orchid is known for its stunning deep red, yellow, and spotted blooms which release a pleasant coconut scent.

Its unique grassy foliage makes it an attractive houseplant even outside of its blooming period (March to April). Native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, it is an excellent choice for experienced growers and beginners alike since it is adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions.

Here’s everything you need to know about keeping this beautiful epiphytic plant happy indoors.

Coconut Orchid Care

Here are the basic requirements for growing coconut orchids indoors:

• Provide with plenty of light—ideally a location that receives several hours of bright indirect light and occasional direct sun.

• Choose a soilless mix to plant your coconut orchid in.

• Water once the potting medium is dry or nearly dry.

• Fertilize once every one to two weeks to encourage blooming from early spring to late fall. Stop fertilizing in the winter.

• Maintain high humidity and average to high temperatures, with cooler nighttime temperatures to encourage blooming.

Light

Be sure to give your coconut orchid plenty of light to encourage strong growth and prolific blooms. While it grows best in dappled sunlight outdoors, indoors it can tolerate some direct sun.

Choose a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light with some periods of direct sunlight for the best results. While this plant can adapt and survive to low light conditions, the foliage will become leggy and it is unlikely that it will bloom.

Soil

Like most orchids, the coconut orchid is epiphytic (sometimes terrestrial) which means that it does best when growing in soilless potting mediums. In its native environment, this plant can be found growing on tree branches and in the hollows of trees where its epiphytic roots collect moisture and nutrients from the organic media around it.

When grown as a houseplant, the coconut orchid is surprisingly adaptable to a range of different potting media including orchid bark mixes, fir bark, coco coir, gravel, and sphagnum moss. It is also a good candidate for mounting if you have some experience in that area.

Water

This orchid features plump pseudo-bulbs which have excellent water storing capabilities. As such, it can tolerate periods of drought and very dry environments and is sensitive to overwatering.

Ideally, the potting medium should be allowed to dry fully between waterings and then watered thoroughly using rainwater or distilled water to prevent mineral buildup on the roots.

Temperature and Humidity

Native to tropical rainforests across Central and South America, it may come as no surprise that this orchid prefers warm temperatures and high humidity. Humidity levels between 70% to 80% are ideal, which can be achieved in an indoor greenhouse or with a small houseplant humidifier.

As for temperature, warmer temperatures are best for this orchid. In summer, daytime temperatures should range between 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (28 to 29 degrees Celsius) with nighttime temperatures sitting around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius).

During the winter, colder temperatures will help to initiate blooming in early spring. Aim for daytime temperatures of 73 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 24 degrees Celsius) and nighttime temperatures of around 55 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 15 degrees Celsius). Again, an enclosed indoor greenhouse can help to control temperatures more closely.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing is an important part of caring for the coconut orchid and is imperative if you want to see your plant bloom. Start fertilizing in the early spring and continue until late fall and then stop fertilizing for the winter months. Use a balanced orchid fertilizer diluted to half strength once every one to two weeks.

Propagating Coconut Orchid

This orchid can be propagated by division. This is best done with mature, established plants that have several rhizomes that can be easily divided. If you are already planning on repotting your plant at some point during the year, that’s a great time to divide the root ball at the same time. Generally, the best time to propagate coconut orchids is in the spring or summer after the blooming period has finished.

Follow these steps to propagate a coconut orchid by division.

1. Remove your coconut orchid from its pot and loosen the potting medium around the root ball.

2. Identify the area that you would like to divide away from the main clump of rhizomes/roots. Ensure it contains at least a few rhizomes to give it the best chance of success.

3. Plant the divided clump in a separate container with fresh potting medium and water well.

4. Place it in a warm, humid location with plenty of light and resume a normal fertilizing schedule two weeks after propagation.

Potting and Repotting Coconut Orchid

Coconut orchids should be repotted once every couple of years to refresh the potting medium and give them a larger container to grow in. If your plant is outgrowing its pot and ‘spilling’ over the edges of the container this is a good indication that it is ready for repotting. While repotting can be done at any time of the year, the best time to do so is in the spring just after the blooming period.

Follow these simple steps to repot your coconut orchid.

1. Gather your supplies including a new pot/container, fresh potting medium, and water.

2. Remove your plant from its pot and pull away as much of the old potting medium as you can without damaging the roots.

3. If you wish to divide the plant for propagation, now is the time to do so.

4. Place the plant and its root ball in the new container and fill the excess space with fresh potting medium.

5. Water the newly repotted plant thoroughly and return it to its original location.

Common Pests

It is generally uncommon for coconut orchids to be afflicted with pests. That being said, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for some common houseplant pests that can be transferred from other plants in the home. In particular, watch out for mealybugs, scale, spider mites, and aphids. At the first sign of an infestation, be sure to isolate your plant and begin treating it with an insecticide or neem oil.

How to Get Coconut Orchid to Bloom

Coconut orchids bloom in the early spring (usually March or April) with blooms lasting for about 7 to 10 days. Some growers have trouble getting their coconut orchids to bloom, and there are a few things you can do to help. The most important factors that contribute to healthy blooming are light and fertilizer.

First, ensure that your plant is receiving plenty of bright, indirect light. If you have had a period of non-blooming, consider moving your coconut orchid to a brighter location for the following blooming season, or adding a grow light to your setup.

Second, you should be fertilizing your orchid regularly during the active growing period. As with most orchids, these plants are considered high feeders and should be fertilized every 1 to 2 weeks from the spring to the fall with an orchid fertilizer.

Common Problems With Coconut Orchid

Coconut orchids are a great choice for beginner orchid growers since they are adaptable, can tolerate a wide range of conditions, and are thus considered easy to grow. That being said, there are a few common problems that you may run into as you learn how to best care for these tropical epiphytic plants. Here’s what to do if you run into the following problems.

Leggy Foliage

It’s normal for a healthy coconut orchid to have foliage that is longer than its inflorescence. However, if your orchid is displaying particularly spindly and elongated foliage then this may be an indication that the plant is not receiving enough light. Stems will begin to ‘reach’ toward the closest light source and become leggy. Try moving your coconut orchid to a brighter location to see if new growth becomes more compact.

No Blooms

Similarly, coconut orchids that do not bloom are most often suffering from improper lighting. These orchids flower once a year for about 7 to 10 days during the early spring. If your plant does not flower, it’s likely because it is not getting enough light. Alternatively, missed blooms can also be due to a lack of nutrients — i.e. improper fertilization. Ensure that your plant is getting fertilized once every 1 to 2 weeks during the spring, summer, and fall; and that your plant is getting several hours of bright, indirect light. Some brief periods of direct sunlight are okay too.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does a coconut orchid bloom?

Coconut orchids bloom once a year in the early spring. Usually blooms last for anywhere from 7 to 10 days.

What is the strongest smelling orchid?

If fragrant orchids are your thing, there are a few popular options to look into. Some of the strongest-smelling orchids available include the Brassavola nodosa, and species in the Cattleya, Rhynchostylis, and Zygopetalum genera. Keep in mind that warm temperatures, humid conditions, and bright conditions all contribute to orchids being particularly fragrant.

What's the rarest color orchid?

Blue is the rarest color for orchids. While you may see orchids that are dyed blue commercially available in big box stores, naturally blue orchid species do exist. That being said, they are very difficult to find and acquire.

Read Next: 25 Types of Orchids to Use as Houseplants

Read the original article on The Spruce.