Epidendrum radicans, also known as reed-stem epidendrum or fire star orchid, is a beautiful, easy care orchid suitable for the ground or in a pot.
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Epidendrum Radicans: The Easiest Orchid You’ve Never Heard Of
When Mom brought over this epidendrum radicans, I fell in love, but figured that it would an unrequited love. Orchids are known to be fussy and high maintenance, and as I may have mentioned in my introduction, I am not good with plants. I have to take a highly specialized approach to growing them. I call it, “Ask Mom.” My mom has more green thumbs than a Jolly Green Giant family reunion.
When she arrived on my doorstep one day with a new plant and a hopeful look, I couldn’t help but shiver with fear. Would my utter incompetence be the doom of yet another horticultural gift? I would be able to handle it just fine, if only there were no watering, weeding, trimming, or fertilizing required.
I jest. Sort of. After I read up on the details of epidendrum radicans, I realized that this plant and I might actually have a future together. It’s a “vigorous growth” orchid with a “forgiving nature” (Orchids Magazine, September 1998) that grows well on the ground or in a pot.
Known Aliases
Epidendrum radicans is also known by several other names.
- Fire star orchid
- Reed-stem epidendrum
- Ground-rooting epidendrum
- Rainbow orchid
- Crucifix orchid
Temperature
Epidendrum radicans can handle a wide range of temperatures, even down to near-freezing. Believe it or not, it is actually considered a weed in certain parts of the world!
According to Andy Phillips of Andy’s Orchids, daytime temperatures should range between 60 and 90 F, while nighttime should range between 30 to 70 F. Bring the plant indoors if there’s a danger of frost, and return it to the outside in the springtime, being careful not to burn the leaves by exposing immediately to direct sun.
Care and Feeding
Epidendrum radicans needs plenty of light, so choose a brightly lit or full sun location. Keep the roots moist (without letting it sit in water) and fertilize regularly with any balanced fertilizer.
I haven’t watered or fertilized my outdoor epidendrum radicans in over a year, but your mileage may vary. You will probably want to give yours a little more TLC. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with more frequent and dense blooms, plus thicker and greener foliage.
Get more gardening tips, and please comment below with your suggestions for easy-to-grow plants! I may feature them in an upcoming article. I also enjoyed reading Orchids for Dummies as research for this article. You might enjoy it, too.
robin Rue says
Those are absolutely beautiful! That makes me so excited for the warm weather heading our way!
tara pittman says
This sounds like a plant for me. I have a hard time keeping plants alive.
Elisha Fernandez says
I love orchids. They’re my mom’s favorite. Unfortunately, she kills all plants (she literally even let a cactus die) so she doesn’t buy any. Still pretty to look at, though.
Ryan Escat says
What a brilliant tips and ideas! This is such a beautiful orchid, my wife will love this for sure.
The Travel Ninjas says
This is a beautiful flower. All the orchids I tried to grow have died quickly, but this sounds different. I’d love to give this a try.
Sarah-Louise Bailey says
This was a very elegant kind of flower. I rarely see such kind, so captivating and the color was so rich and powerful.
Kate | Highlights Along The Way says
Amazing! I’ve never heard of this orchid before but it is so pretty! I would love to have one for my garden.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
That’s a beautiful orchid. I love the pretty colors! My mom grows the most beautiful orchids in the neighborhood and I’d like to get her a pot of this crucifix orchid. I am happy that it thrives well in variable temperatures.
chei says
Oh this orchid looks so pretty! Orchids are really great in garden.
Nellwyn says
I’m terrible at keeping plants alive but I really want to learn to take care of them properly. Maybe I’ll follow your advice and try getting one of these.
Lois Alter Mark says
What a beautiful flower! My husband loves orchids, and I’m going to have to show this to him! He’s the one with the green thumb in the family.
Jolleen says
Oh wow, those colors are so bright and colorful! I would love to have some of these in my yard..
Jay Simms says
Oh my goodness!! I have never heard of these but I am in love. The colors are gorgeous!
Richard Bivins says
I have some fire star orhids in front of my home right now and they’re just about to bloom. I live in SC so it’s the perfect weather for them. They’re with a few other types of orchids and I have a system set up so the run off water from my roof feeds the flower bed through the whole length of my home.
Hey Sharonoox says
I’ve a few pots of orchids and totally love them. They didn’t stop blooming for two years now. I haven’t seen this one yet but I’m excited to get it for my house.
Elizabeth O. says
Orchids are always so beautiful no mattee what kind. These are really nice though, I like the bright orange color.
Athena says
Those are very pretty – the colors are vibrant and so attractive. I would love a bouquet of flowers with these as the central component
Dhemz says
wow, that’s really good to know! I have quiet a few collection of orchids but this is so unique and pretty. I would love to have one. Thanks for sharing!
Wildish Jess says
I don’t know the names of many orchids but I knew there are tons! Love the colors on this one, so bright.
Michelle says
It was love at first sight when I first encountered Reedstem Orchids. Two years later I finally planted one of these beauties by the front door. On Valentine’s Day yesterday it bloomed for the first time!
Katie Moseman says
That’s wonderful! They’re so pretty.
michelle lewis says
i bought a cutting from an Orchid show down here in SoFlo 2 years ago. As it resembled a Vanda, I treated it as such. 1 year…. no new growth. This year I visited the same show and saw a grower with one in a pot. I have since tried to duplicate this same technique. That was 7 months ago. Nothing. I have 3 thick roots that appear healthy. I still treat it as a Vanda. Waiting????? I’m optimistic.
Gerlinde Wilreker says
I have then in 3 different colours and growing in different mediums (soil, orchid potting mix and on a tree). I find they prefer semishade (but maybe that’s because the sun is quite harsh in the southern hemisphere. They are amazing and so rewarding!