Name: Papilionanthe vandarum

Etymology: The genus name Papilionanthe is formed from words meaning “butterfly” and “flower,” referring to the butterfly-like appearance of the flowers. The species epithet vandarum means roughly “of the Vandas” and alludes to the resemblance to, or historical connection with, the genus Vanda.

Origin/Distribution: Himalayan region and neighboring Southeast Asia.

Location/Habitat: The species grows epiphytically in bright, airy locations. We recommend very bright, filtered light, high humidity, and good air movement. Temperate to warm-temperate conditions of approximately 16–28 °C (61–82 °F) during the day and 11–20 °C (52–68 °F) at night are favorable. The exposed roots should be watered thoroughly and regularly, then allowed to dry quickly.

Description and Notes: Papilionanthe vandarum grows monopodially, with slender stems and narrow, almost cylindrical leaves. The attractive flowers appear laterally along the stems and have an elegant, butterfly-like shape. We grow the species in very airy conditions, using coarse substrate, baskets, or mounting it. During active growth, we water and fertilize regularly with water that is as soft as possible, avoiding waterlogging around the roots.