Overview

Spathoglottis Caractea ('Lencaract') is a plant with a terrestrial, upright habit in the genus Spathoglottis, part of the Orchidaceae family, with evergreen, pleated leaves foliage. Spathoglottis Caractea ('Lencaract') grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include ornamental plant and ground cover.

About

A terrestrial orchid in the Orchidaceae, Spathoglottis Caractea ('Lencaract') is evergreen with pleated leaves and an upright habit. Flowering occurs from July to October on erect stems that rise clear of the foliage. It prefers moist, neutral loam in a sheltered, south- or west-facing position and tolerates full sun to partial shade. Classified H4 (average) for UK gardens, it is suited to ornamental planting or use as a low ground cover where frost exposure is limited.

About the genus

Spathoglottis, commonly known as purple orchids or 苞舌兰属 is a genus of about fifty species of orchids in the family Orchidaceae. They are evergreen terrestrial herbs with crowded pseudobulbs, a small number of leaves and medium-sized resupinate flowers on an upright flowering stem. The sepals and petals are all similar to each other and are white, yellow, pink or purple.

Wikipedia contributors, "Spathoglottis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Spathoglottis

In the garden

Spathoglottis Caractea ('Lencaract') is a terrestrial, upright member of the Orchidaceae that carries pleated, evergreen leaves in compact clumps from which flowering stems emerge. Its reproductive season in the UK runs July to October, when spikes rise above the foliage. Plant in a neutral loam that remains moist but drains freely; standing water will not suit the crown. It performs best in full sun to partial shade on a south- or west-facing aspect and should be given a sheltered site away from cold, drying winds. The cultivar is rated H4 (average) in UK hardiness terms, so select a protected planting spot or provide winter shelter in the colder exposed gardens. Use Spathoglottis Caractea ('Lencaract') as an ornamental specimen in a sheltered border or as a low ground cover where it can form neat clumps between other perennials. Keep soil consistently moist through the growing season and avoid heavy, waterlogged positions. Expect upright flowering stems to appear from the pleated leaf rosettes each July to October.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Spathoglottis

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Spathoglottis Caractea ('Lencaract') size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Terrestrial, Upright

Foliage

Evergreen, Pleated leaves

Suggested uses

Ornamental plant, Ground cover

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Spathoglottis Caractea ('Lencaract')

Propagation

Division, Seed

Pest resistance

Moderate

Disease resistance

Moderate

Frequently asked questions