Photo: Orchi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Cattleya Orchid
Cattleya is the classic 'corsage orchid' — large, ruffled and richly fragrant, with a flamboyant frilled lip that made it the emblem of old-fashioned glamour. Blooms come in lavender, white, pink, coral and yellow, often with a contrasting throat, and their heady perfume sets them apart from most orchids. More delicate and shorter-lived than dendrobium or vanda, cattleya is used where it can be shown off: corsages, boutonnieres and luxury focal work. It remains a traditional Mother's Day flower and a byword for refined, showy beauty.
| Family | Orchidaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Central and South America |
| Peak season | all year |
| Availability | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Stem length | 20–40 cm |
| Vase life | 5–10 days |
| Colors | lavender, white, pink, coral, yellow, purple |
| Price tier | premium |
Handle the delicate petals as little as possible, as they bruise easily. Recut the stem and use clean, room-temperature water, keeping the flower cool but never below 7C. Keep it away from ripening fruit and drafts, mist lightly, and display out of direct sun. Use it soon, as cattleya is the shortest-lived of the cut orchids.
- •Handle the delicate petals as little as possible
- •Recut and use clean, room-temperature water
- •Keep cool but never below 7C
- •Keep away from fruit and drafts
- •Mist lightly and display out of direct sun
- •Use it soon — cattleya is the shortest-lived orchid
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- cattleya
- Also known as
- corsage orchid, queen of orchids, Brasicattleya, Brasilaelia, Cattleyella, Chironiella, Dungsia, Eunannos, Hadrocattleya, Hadrodungsia, Hadrolaelia, Hoffmannseggella
- Distribution
- Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Colombia, Costa Rica
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Cattleya Orchid in season?
Cattleya Orchid peaks in all year, and florists can usually source it January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Cattleya Orchid last in a vase?
Expect 5–10 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Cattleya Orchid?
Good substitutes for Cattleya Orchid include Phalaenopsis orchid, Cymbidium orchid, Lisianthus. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Cattleya Orchid symbolise?
Cattleya Orchid is associated with maternal love, refined beauty, luxury, admiration.
How do you care for cut Cattleya Orchid?
Handle the delicate petals as little as possible
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Cattleya Orchid”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/cattleya-orchid/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/cattleya-orchid/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Cattleya Orchid</a>