How to Grow and Care for a Monkey Orchid

The Monkey Orchid, Dracula simia, is a flowering plant known for blooms that resemble a monkey’s face. This epiphytic orchid originates in the high-altitude cloud forests of southeastern Ecuador and Peru. Its native habitat dictates specific care requirements, making it a plant for dedicated growers who can replicate its environment.

Essential Care Conditions

Monkey Orchids thrive in low, indirect light, similar to the dappled sunlight of their native forest canopy. In a home, this can be replicated by placing the orchid near a north-facing window or in a spot that receives gentle, filtered morning light from an east-facing window. Direct sunlight is harmful and will scorch the thin leaves, so use a sheer curtain for protection or move it away from the window.

This orchid is highly sensitive to water quality. It is best to use rainwater, distilled water, or water purified by reverse osmosis, as its roots are intolerant of the mineral salts found in tap water. The sphagnum moss medium should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. Because these orchids lack water-storing pseudobulbs, they cannot tolerate drying out completely.

Dracula simia requires high humidity levels, ideally between 70% and 80%, to flourish. Home growers can achieve this by using a humidifier, placing the pot on a tray of wet pebbles, or enclosing the plant within a terrarium. The plant also prefers cool conditions. Maintain daytime temperatures that do not consistently exceed 70°F (21°C) and nighttime temperatures that drop to around 50-55°F (10-13°C).

Use a balanced 20-20-20 orchid fertilizer, but dilute it to one-quarter of the recommended strength. This diluted solution should be applied sparingly every second or third watering, only during the active growing season of spring and summer. Over-fertilizing can lead to a salt buildup in the potting medium, which can damage the sensitive root system.

Encouraging Monkey Orchid Blooms

Unlike orchids that follow a strict seasonal blooming schedule, a well-cared-for Monkey Orchid can produce flowers at any time of the year. The flowers develop sequentially on a spike, meaning a single spike can produce blooms over an extended period.

A distinct drop in temperature between day and night is a primary trigger for initiating flower spikes. Ensuring a nightly temperature dip of about 10-15°F (6-8°C) signals the plant to begin the flowering process. This change mimics the natural temperature fluctuations in its high-altitude mountain habitat.

A plant that is still acclimating to a new environment or has not yet reached full maturity may not flower, even if care conditions seem perfect. Continuing to provide stable and appropriate care will give the orchid the resources it needs to eventually produce its unique flowers.

Repotting Your Monkey Orchid

Repot a Monkey Orchid only when necessary, every one to two years, to avoid disturbing its sensitive root system. The primary reason for repotting is the decomposition of the potting medium. When sphagnum moss breaks down, it becomes compacted, reducing aeration and retaining too much moisture, which can lead to root decay.

Pure, high-quality sphagnum moss is the standard medium for this species. When it is time to repot, begin by moistening the new moss. Gently remove the orchid from its container, which is often a plastic net pot that allows for maximum air circulation. Carefully untangle the roots, trimming away any that are brown or mushy with sterilized scissors.

Place a small amount of moist moss in the bottom of the new pot and position the plant in the center. Gently pack the fresh sphagnum moss around the roots, ensuring it remains light and airy rather than tightly compressed. After repotting, maintain high humidity and wait a few days before resuming a normal watering schedule.

Common Problems and Solutions

A lack of blooms on a mature orchid is almost always tied to its environment. If your plant fails to flower, review its access to humidity and its temperature range. A consistent, cool environment with a noticeable temperature drop at night is often the missing element needed to trigger flowering.

Yellowing leaves can signal several problems. This issue can arise from poor water quality due to a buildup of mineral salts from tap water. It can also be a sign of overwatering, where the sphagnum moss has become soggy and is causing the roots to rot. In some cases, the yellowing of the oldest, lowest leaves is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle.

The most frequent pests to affect Monkey Orchids are spider mites, which thrive in warm, dry conditions. An infestation is an indication that the ambient humidity is too low for the plant’s needs. To address this, gently wipe the mites off the leaves with a soft, damp cloth and take immediate steps to increase the humidity around the plant.