About Nun's Orchid
Nun's Orchid (Phaius tankervilleae) is grown for garden performance matched to its site needs. Expect partial sun, typically 0.9–1.2 m tall, moderate water once established.
Can Nun's Orchid take your winter? Type your ZIP below and compare it with Zones 9–11.
2023 USDA ZIP listings (PRISM / USDA-ARS). Find Your USDA Hardiness Zone · Official USDA map.
Is Nun's Orchid Right for Your Garden?
Best for
- Mixed borders and general garden use
Trade-off to know
Nun's Orchid suits most garden soils when drainage is adequate. The main limitation is site scale — match plant size to available space.
Growing Conditions for Nun's Orchid
Site checklist
- Sun: partial sun
- Soil drainage: Well Drained
- Water: Moderate
- Hardiness zones: 9, 10, 11
Adjustments
- Wrong light level is the most common cause of weak performance
- Fix drainage before treating leaf symptoms
Shared growing steps for this plant’s group: How to Grow Nun's Orchid. Notes below stay specific to this plant.
How to Care for Nun's Orchid
Establishment
- Plant Nun's Orchid in a site matching its sun and drainage needs
- Water regularly until roots settle, then match watering to the plant’s need
Ongoing care
- Mulch to buffer moisture swings
- Remove dead or damaged growth in season
- Avoid constant wet foliage where disease pressure is high
Diagnosing Problems with Nun's Orchid
| Symptom | Likely cause | Confirming sign | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves yellowing unevenly across the plant | Uneven watering or compacted soil | Yellowing worse on one side; soil hard or crusted at surface | Water Nun's Orchid deeply and evenly. Loosen surface compaction with a fork; avoid disturbing main roots. |
| Sudden wilting on one branch while rest of plant looks healthy | Root rot from poor drainage in one spot | Affected branch has dark, mushy roots when gently uncovered | Cut back affected branch to healthy wood. Improve drainage in that area before the next growing season. |
Leaves yellowing unevenly across the plant
- Likely cause
- Uneven watering or compacted soil
- Confirming sign
- Yellowing worse on one side; soil hard or crusted at surface
- Action
- Water Nun's Orchid deeply and evenly. Loosen surface compaction with a fork; avoid disturbing main roots.
Sudden wilting on one branch while rest of plant looks healthy
- Likely cause
- Root rot from poor drainage in one spot
- Confirming sign
- Affected branch has dark, mushy roots when gently uncovered
- Action
- Cut back affected branch to healthy wood. Improve drainage in that area before the next growing season.
Nun's Orchid in the wild
Photo: 304941 / bb646dff-a905-4403-a49b-6d378c2cf0d9, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 5871912980 Record 
Photo: 1963945989 / bb646dff-a905-4403-a49b-6d378c2cf0d9, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 5028240623 Record 
Photo: claire varlet / da86174a-a605-43a4-a5e8-53d484152cd3, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 5110179313 Record 
Photo: Heather Wells / da86174a-a605-43a4-a5e8-53d484152cd3, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 5109419763 Record 
Photo: 177731058 / bb646dff-a905-4403-a49b-6d378c2cf0d9, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 5026449792 Record 
Photo: -1692779921 / bb646dff-a905-4403-a49b-6d378c2cf0d9, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 5019653155 Record
Nun's Orchid FAQ
-
Is Nun's Orchid easy to grow?
Nun's Orchid is manageable for most gardeners if sited correctly from the outset. The most common mistakes are poor drainage and incorrect sun placement.
-
How big does Nun's Orchid get?
Nun's Orchid typically reaches 0.9–1.2 m. Final size depends on soil quality and available root space. Allow adequate spacing at planting — most plants reach their full spread within 5–10 years.
-
How much sun does Nun's Orchid need?
Nun's Orchid grows best in partial sun. Planting in the wrong light level is the single most common cause of poor performance. Check the aspect of your site before choosing a position.
References
- [1] GBIF occurrence phenology — Bloom months inferred from StillImage observation seasonality (temperate Northern Hemisphere filter). Not an official cultivar calendar. -
https://www.gbif.org/species/2836465 - [2] GBIF species distributions — Native range summarised from GBIF distribution records; locality noise filtered to country and macro-region terms. -
https://www.gbif.org/species/2836465
Taxonomic identifiers
https://www.gbif.org/species/2836465(GBIF 2836465)https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3011916(Wikidata Q3011916)https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/kew-151105(POWO kew-151105)https://www.ipni.org/n/650482-1(IPNI 650482-1)