Overview

Spiranthes spiralis is a herbaceous perennial houseplants in the genus Spiranthes, part of the Orchidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Spiranthes spiralis grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include ornamental. It is native to Flanders and Belgium.

About

Spiranthes spiralis is a herbaceous perennial orchid that flowers in the UK from July to September. Deciduous in growth, it prefers moist, neutral loam in full sun on a sheltered, south‑facing aspect. Suited to cultivation under glass or as a houseplant, it is primarily grown for ornamental display. It originates from Flanders in Belgium.

About the genus

Spiranthes is a genus of orchids in the subfamily Orchidoideae. They are known commonly as ladies tresses, ladies'-tresses, or lady's tresses. The genus is distributed in the Americas, Eurasia, and Australia.

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

In the garden

Spiranthes spiralis is a herbaceous perennial in the Orchidaceae, native to Flanders, Belgium, and valued for its summer–autumn flowering period between July and September. The plant is deciduous and, outside flowering, spends part of its year in reduced growth before reappearing to flower. Site selection matters: place it where it receives full sun yet remains sheltered on a south‑facing aspect to reduce exposure to cold winds. The species prefers loam with a neutral pH and consistently moist conditions; in the UK this is most reliably achieved in a conservatory or greenhouse bench where moisture and soil type can be controlled. Its UK hardiness is H4 (average), so give extra protection in exposed or particularly cold gardens. Use Spiranthes spiralis as an ornamental in containers for a conservatory or greenhouse, or plant into a protected garden nook with the specified soil and aspect. As a houseplant or under glass it benefits from re-potting into a loam-based medium that drains yet retains moisture, and from a sheltered, sunny position. Expect its flowering window to run from July to September, which makes it a late-summer interest for specialist collections and sheltered ornamental displays.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Spiranthes

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Spiranthes spiralis size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse

Habit

Herbaceous perennial

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Ornamental

Native to

Flanders, Belgium

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Spiranthes spiralis

Propagation

Seed, division

Pest resistance

High

Disease resistance

High

Frequently asked questions