Ground Orchids, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Ground orchid is a clumping terrestrial orchid with pleated leaves and tall spikes of purple flowers that bloom much of the year in warm weather. It grows in the ground in Southwest Florida, in part shade or morning sun, with regular water and good drainage. It works as a border, bed edge or container plant, and frost burns the leaves.
- Light:
- Part shade or morning sun; avoid hot afternoon sun
- Water:
- Moderate to regular; keep evenly moist but well drained
- Salt:
- Low; keep out of salt spray
Ground Orchid
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Ground Orchid sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Ground Orchid | 3 Gallon |
Ground Orchid in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- Leaves 1 to 2 ft tall with flower spikes up to about 3 ft; clumps 1 to 2 ft wide
- Light
- Part shade or morning sun; avoid hot afternoon sun
- Water
- Moderate to regular; keep evenly moist but well drained
- Salt tolerance
- Low; keep out of salt spray
- Cold tolerance
- Frost burns the leaves; clumps often die back and return in spring
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 12 to 18 inches on center for a border
- Florida native
- No, native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific
- Botanical name
- Spathoglottis plicata
Where Ground Orchid works in a SW Florida yard
Use ground orchid as a flowering edge along a walkway, in front of shrubs or in a bed under high shade where grass will not grow. Plant in groups of five or more, since the purple spikes rise above the leaves and look best in a mass.
Society garlic, liriope and ti plant make good partners. Keep it where you can water it, because the clump is happiest in evenly moist, loose soil.
- Flowering border edge
- Shaded bed color
- Container plantings
- Under-tree accent beds
How our crew plants it
The pseudobulbs should sit at or just below the soil surface in loose, well-drained soil. Dig twice as wide as the 3 gallon pot, space plants 12 to 18 inches apart for a border and mulch lightly. The crew sets them, waters them in and cleans up. Lee and Collier allow extra watering for new plantings.
Care after planting
- Water evenly in warm weather and let the surface dry slightly between waterings in winter.
- A slow-release fertilizer in spring and early fall is enough, applied outside the June 1 to September 30 ban.
- Snip off spent flower spikes to encourage new ones.
- Divide crowded clumps every few years in spring, which keeps them blooming.
- Cover plants with frost cloth on nights forecast near freezing.
What to watch for
- Frost burns the leaves, and cold, wet winters can rot the pseudobulbs, so keep winter watering light.
- Snails and slugs chew leaves and flower buds, and soggy soil leads to root rot.
Ground Orchid questions we hear
Do ground orchids grow outdoors in Southwest Florida?+
Yes. Ground orchids grow in soil, not on trees, and they do well in our warm, humid climate. Plant them in part shade or morning sun, in loose, well-drained soil, with regular water. Frost burns the leaves, so cover them on cold nights, though clumps usually regrow.
How often does ground orchid bloom?+
Ground orchids flower on and off for much of the year in warm weather, with the heaviest flushes in spring and summer. Each spike carries a series of purple blooms over several weeks. Snip spent spikes, feed on schedule and give them enough light, and they keep sending up new ones.
How much sun does a ground orchid need?+
Part shade or morning sun suits it. With too little light you get leaves and few flowers, and hot afternoon sun scorches the leaves. A spot under high oak shade or on the east side of the house works well. Keep the soil evenly moist.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Ground Orchid
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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