Lycaste orchid flowers open with three sepals spread into a wide triangle, often 4 to 6 inches across. That size alone sets a lycaste orchid apart from smaller growing genera kept on a windowsill. The genus holds around 50 species from Mexico south through Peru.
Countless hybrids sell each spring as lycaste orchids for sale, alongside the closely related Anguloa and Angulocaste crosses. All of them share the same pleated leaves and a marked seasonal rhythm. Knowing that rhythm is the key to flowering one well.
What Is a Lycaste Orchid
This genus grows from a pleated, pear shaped pseudobulb that stores water and energy. Large ribbed leaves fan out from the top each spring and fall away in autumn on many species. Once the leaves drop, older pseudobulbs on some plants show short spines where the leaf bases used to sit.
Flowers rise on short stems straight from the base of the pseudobulb, one bloom per stem. A single mature plant can throw a dozen or more of these stems at once. The triangular shape comes from the sepals, which are larger and showier than the true petals hidden inside.
The White Nun Orchid of Guatemala
Lycaste virginalis is the species behind the common name white nun orchid. Its alba form carries pure white sepals with almost no color inside the throat. That is where the nun comparison comes from.
The white nun orchid is Guatemala’s national flower, a status widely reported as dating to 1934. Standard color forms of Lycaste virginalis show pink to rose sepals with a darker lip instead.
Growers sometimes list both color forms under “the white nun orchid” without separating them. Ask for the alba form by name if pure white is what you want.
Deciduous and Evergreen Lycaste Groups
Cool growing, deciduous types drop their leaves completely before flowering. Lycaste aromatica and Lycaste deppei are the classic examples, both losing their leaves in late fall or winter. Flowers often appear on the bare pseudobulbs before new growth restarts in spring.
Warmer growing, evergreen types keep their leaves through the year and rest less sharply. These species tolerate slightly higher night temperatures and a shorter, gentler dry period. Knowing which group a plant belongs to changes how much water it needs in winter.
Anguloa, the Tulip Orchid, and Angulocaste Hybrids
Anguloa is a closely related genus nicknamed the tulip orchid for its cupped, waxy flowers. The petals and sepals close around the column. Each bloom takes on a rounded, tulip like shape instead of a flat triangle.
Anguloa shares the same pseudobulb structure and deciduous habit as many Lycaste species. Breeders cross the two genera to produce Angulocaste hybrids, combining Anguloa’s heavier substance with Lycaste’s wider color range. Angulocaste plants generally follow the same care as a deciduous lycaste orchid.
How to Care for a Lycaste Orchid
Lycaste culture calls for cool to intermediate nights and days. American Orchid Society guidance lists nights near 60 F (15.6 C). Days should reach 70 F to 80 F (21.1 C to 26.7 C).
Moderate light works best, similar to the shade level used for Cattleya but without hot midday sun. Direct summer sun through glass can scorch the soft, pleated leaves fast.
A 10 F to 15 F (5.5 C to 8 C) night drop helps buds set well. Many growers move plants outdoors to a shaded porch for the summer for this reason. Bring them back in before nights turn cold in early fall.
Water heavily through active growth, letting the medium approach dryness between soakings rather than staying soggy. Feed at quarter to half strength while new growth is expanding, then taper off as leaves mature. Never spray water directly onto the leaves themselves, since the pleats trap moisture and invite rot.
After leaves drop on deciduous types, cut watering back hard. A light misting every week or two is usually enough until new growth shows. This drier rest is what triggers strong flowering later, much like the dormant orchid cycle some other genera follow.
| Month | Growth stage | Watering |
|---|---|---|
| March to May | New growth and roots emerge | Water as medium approaches dryness |
| June to August | Peak leaf and pseudobulb growth | Water freely, feed weekly at quarter to half strength |
| September to October | Growth matures, pseudobulbs plump up | Taper feeding, keep watering steady |
| November | Leaves yellow and drop on deciduous types | Cut watering back sharply |
| December to February | Dormant rest, flower buds may form | Light misting every week or two |
When Leaf Drop Looks Like Trouble
New growers often panic when a lycaste orchid loses every leaf at once. On deciduous species, this is not a sign of poor care. It is the normal end of the growing season.
The real risk comes from watering more once the leaves are gone, not less. Extra moisture on a bare, resting pseudobulb invites rot instead of recovery. Cut water back hard first, then check roots only if new growth stalls for months.
Pests to Watch For
Spider mites are the most common problem on a lycaste orchid. They collect on the underside of the thin, pleated leaves and cause fine silver stippling. Raising humidity and checking leaf undersides weekly catches an infestation before it spreads.
Repotting a Lycaste Orchid
Plan to repot every year, right as new roots begin to show at the base of new growth. Its roots dislike sitting in old, broken down medium. A fir bark and perlite mix in roughly a 3 to 1 ratio suits most plants.
Move up only one pot size at a time and never bury the pseudobulbs. For the full step by step process, see how to repot an orchid.
Buying a Lycaste Orchid
When shopping for lycaste orchids for sale, look for firm, plump pseudobulbs with no soft spots. Leafless plants sold in fall or winter are often just resting, not dead or dying. Check that roots are white to green and firm rather than mushy or hollow.
Buy from a specialty orchid grower rather than a big box store when you can. Specialty sellers can tell you whether a plant is deciduous or evergreen and what bloom size to expect. That detail matters more with this genus than with many other orchids.
Species like the white nun orchid tend to carry a light, sweet fragrance, unlike many scentless modern hybrids. If scent matters to you, our guide to fragrant orchids covers which genera reliably deliver it.
Keeping humidity in the right range protects both flowers and leaves. Our guide to orchid humidity levels covers this in more detail.
Winter brings the lowest light and the driest rest for most lycaste orchid varieties. Our guide to orchid care in winter walks through adjusting watering and light as days shorten. To see where this genus fits among its relatives, browse our overview of types of orchids.
Sources
- American Orchid Society: Lycaste Culture Sheet. https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/care-sheets/lycaste-culture-sheet
- American Orchid Society: Cattleya Culture Sheet. https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/care-sheets/cattleya-culture-sheet
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: How to look after your orchids. https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/orchid-care-expert-tips
Frequently asked questions
Is a lycaste orchid hard to grow?
It is moderately demanding, not beginner easy. It needs cool nights, bright shade, and a strict dry rest after leaf drop to bloom well.
Why did my lycaste orchid lose all its leaves?
Deciduous species drop their leaves every year before or during flowering. This is normal, not a sign the plant is dying.
Is the white nun orchid really Guatemala's national flower?
Yes. Lycaste virginalis alba, the white nun, is widely cited as Guatemala's national flower, adopted in 1934.
What is the difference between Lycaste and Anguloa?
Lycaste has flat, triangular flowers, while Anguloa, the tulip orchid, has cupped, rounded ones. Both share the same pleated leaves and deciduous habit.
How often should I water a lycaste orchid?
Water heavily during active growth, letting the medium approach dryness between waterings. Cut back sharply once leaves drop for the rest period.