How to Grow a Lady's Slipper

Choosing a Lady's Slipper Orchid

• 1

  Look for varieties with variegated leaves. These varieties prefer temperatures similar to those people like to maintain in their homes. Dark green leaf varieties tend to like colder temperatures, which makes them less attractive candidates for the casual plant keeper.

• 2

  Select a lady's slipper with upright foliage that is free of tears.

• 3

  Tug gently on the plant to make sure that it is solidly rooted, a sign of a healthy root system.

• 4

  Check for signs of disease. Avoid plants that have brown spots, pits on the leaves or brown splotches around the base of the plant.

• 5

  Check for signs of insect activity. Avoid plants if you see white fluffy masses, sticky spots or black deposits that look like dust or soot.

Caring for a Lady's Slipper Orchid

• 6

  Select a location for your orchid that is partially shaded but still receives good light. The lady's slipper likes good light but can be hurt by strong light. An eastern exposure usually works well.

• 7

  Inspect the pot and growing medium. The lady's slipper likes high humidity. Standard orchid potting mix should be supplemented with extra sphagnum moss. Add a layer of moss to the top of soil if one isn't present.

• 8

  Mist the lady's slipper orchid frequently. Getting into the habit of misting the plant and the moss covering the growing medium every day is a good idea.

• 9

  Maintain dishes filled with pebbles and water to increase the humidity around the plant. The less you are able to mist your orchid, the more it it will need other measures in place to supplement the humidity.

• 10

  Keep the lady's slipper with other plants, particularly leafy plants like ferns that will help provide a more humid micro-climate and create an attractive presentation.

• 11

  Water the lady's slipper orchid weekly and feed it every two weeks.