Plant care card

Cattleya

Cattleya · Orquídea cattleya

Also called corsage orchid or queen of orchids

Photo by Mario Carvajal on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Cattleyas, the big, often fragrant corsage orchids, are happy in a home if you give them your brightest window. Let the bark dry out completely between waterings, keep the air at about 50% humidity, and give it cooler nights than days. Light is the deal breaker: in a dim spot a cattleya grows leaves and never blooms.

Grove care rating

Moderate 5 of 10

Keeping it healthy and getting it to bloom indoors.

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (NC State)

No signs of poisoning listed. The ASPCA lists four species as non-toxic: C. trianae (as C. trianaei), C. mossiae, C. forbesii and C. labiata. Any plant can still upset a pet’s stomach if it eats enough. Children: No poison risk listed.

Pet poison line: ASPCA (888) 426-4435

Good for: your brightest window, people who tend to underwater, homes with cats and dogs · Think twice if: your only window faces north or sits in shade, you water every plant on the same day.

Needs at a glance

Light4 of 4 · Bright, some sunAn east or west window, or south behind a sheer curtain
Water1 of 3 · Let it dry outWater when the bark is dry and the pot feels light; minis need it more often
Humidity2 of 3 · Above average50% or more; a pebble tray helps
Soil when pottedCoarse orchid barkWith the rhizome sitting on top, never buried

Indoors: best at 70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C). Keep it above 55°F (13°C) and away from drafts and heat vents.

How the rating adds up

0 = easiest · 1 = moderate · 2 = hardest

Missed waterings0 of 2 · EasiestShould dry out completely between waterings
Light flexibility2 of 2 · HardestNeeds high light; it won’t bloom without it
Humidity1 of 2 · ModeratePrefers 50% humidity or more
Pests and disease1 of 2 · ModerateScale, mealybugs and thrips; rot if water sits on it
Sensitivity to change1 of 2 · ModerateDislikes softened or cold water; repot only as new roots start

Growing outdoors

All year: USDA zones 12 to 13, where the coldest winter nights average 50°F (10°C) or warmer.

Elsewhere: summer outside in filtered sun. Bring it in when nights reach 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C).

Containers
Hanging baskets

Sources: NC State, Iowa State, American Orchid Society, Clemson, NYBG, ASPCA, ASPCA plant list and USDA zone map. Full list below.

Verified November 2026 · How we rate plants

How often should I water a cattleya?

When the bark is dry, which for a big plant is usually every 7 to 10 days, according to the American Orchid Society. Minis and young plants hold less water, so they need it every 5 to 7 days. Cattleyas store water in their thick pseudobulbs, and NC State and Iowa State both say to let the mix dry completely before you water again. Run lukewarm water through the pot for about a minute, then let it drain fully. You’ll soon tell by the weight of the pot when it’s time, and if in doubt, wait a day. Skip softened water, water colder than 50°F (10°C) and ice cubes.

American Orchid Society, NC State, Iowa State

How much light does a cattleya need?

A lot. Cattleyas are in the high-light group of orchids: Clemson says about twice what a moth orchid wants. An east or west window works well, or a south window behind a sheer curtain, so hot midday sun doesn’t burn the leaves. The leaves tell you if it’s right: medium green is good, and dark green means it needs more light. The American Orchid Society says some direct sun, around four hours a day, helps it bloom indoors.

American Orchid Society, Clemson, NC State, NYBG

Why won’t my cattleya bloom?

Almost always too little light. Every source we checked says a cattleya in a dim spot won’t flower, and dark green leaves or floppy pseudobulbs are the clue. Move it to your brightest window first. It also blooms better when nights are clearly cooler than days: the American Orchid Society suggests a drop of 10 to 15°F (5 to 8°C) in one sheet and 15 to 20°F (8 to 11°C) for mature plants in another, and NYBG says about 10°F. Most cattleyas bloom once a year, in spring or fall, and some hybrids bloom more often.

American Orchid Society, NYBG, Clemson

What do I do when the flowers fade?

Cut off the spent flowers, and cut the flower stem at its base once it turns brown. Then keep watering and feeding it as usual. The American Orchid Society says it will start its next bloom cycle within a year. Each flower lasts about 2 to 6 weeks, according to Clemson.

American Orchid Society, NYBG, Clemson

When should I repot a cattleya?

Every two to three years, when the rhizome, the creeping stem the pseudobulbs grow from, hangs over the pot edge, or when the bark breaks down and stays wet. The best moment is when new roots or shoots are just starting, often in spring or right after flowering. Use coarse orchid bark and set the rhizome on top, never buried, because a buried rhizome can rot. If you divide it, keep at least three plump pseudobulbs in each piece.

American Orchid Society, NYBG, NC State

How warm should I keep a cattleya?

Days of 70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C) and nights of about 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C), according to NC State and the American Orchid Society. Clemson puts the night minimum a little higher, at 60°F (16°C). Remember that a windowsill can get much colder or hotter than the rest of the room.

NC State, American Orchid Society, Clemson

Is a cattleya safe for cats and dogs?

NC State lists the whole Cattleya genus as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The ASPCA doesn’t rate the genus, but it lists four species as non-toxic: Cattleya trianae (spelled trianaei on its page), C. mossiae, C. forbesii and C. labiata. We found no trusted source that calls any cattleya toxic. Any plant can still upset a pet’s stomach if it eats enough.

NC State, ASPCA, ASPCA plant list, IPNI

Can a cattleya live outdoors?

In summer, yes, almost anywhere: NC State says it can go outside, and NYBG suggests filtered light in summer. Bring it in before nights drop below about 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C), the night range NC State and the American Orchid Society give; the AOS adds that cattleyas need protection below 50°F, especially in bud or flower. All year, sources differ: NC State lists USDA zones 10 to 12, but only zones 12 and 13, where the coldest winter nights stay above 50°F, are that warm, so those are the zones on the card. In zones 10 and 11, cover it or bring it in on cold nights.

NC State, NYBG, American Orchid Society, USDA zone map

How Grove helps

Grove turns watering into a check of the bark instead of a fixed day, so the pot gets to dry out first. You can add a fall reminder to move it to your brightest window, and assign it to whoever is home.

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