California Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea) Potted

The California stream orchid (Epipactis gigantea) grows in permanently wet soil, making it a beautiful and well-behaved addition to any bog. It blooms in the early Spring and goes dormant in the late Summer through Winter. When happy, it will slowly form clumps. These plants are divisions and are blooming in size.

These plants have a seasonal dormancy and can start to die back in late summer/early fall in many areas. If you order them from August to February, they may arrive dormant but will soon grow!

Care Instructions

Growth Habit: Epipactis gigantea forms tall spikes in spring with lance-shaped leaves. As the plant spreads via rhizome, more and more tall stems pop up from the soil. Flowers bloom in succession off of tall stems, dainty and detailed. The flowers can bloom from spring through summer; this bloom time varies based on your seasonal conditions. The plants die back in late summer/early fall and, by winter, can be cut back to the ground. In winter, there can be no visible growth above ground. 

Sun: Part sun to dappled full sun. These plants do best grown outside in part sun or even part shade. They can be grown in dappled full sun as long as they receive protection from the afternoon sun and are always well watered. Full sun can be tolerated, but often, the plants will grow shorter and have more uneven leaf color. We grow them in the same pots as your Sarracenia, where the Sarracenia pitchers will naturally shade much of the plant and rhizome.

Water & Humidity: Always sit in at least two inches of distilled or purified water; these plants prefer deep saucers of water or undrained containers to recreate their waterlogged conditions. Use distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water if possible. These plants grow streamside in their native habitats, seasonally submerged at times, and do not tolerate drying out. Keep them sitting in the water even in winter. These plants do not need humidity.

Temperature: 15 degrees - 100 degrees, needs protection from colder winters and always keep very wet when hot.

Dormancy: All Epipactis have a winter dormancy starting in fall and ending in spring. Many of the stems will turn brown and die back during this time. Leave them outdoors in the sun, sitting in distilled water during this period. If you live in an area that snows over winter, move them indoors on a sunny windowsill in an unheated room or garage, still in sitting sun and watering with distilled water. Or mulch them heavily on the top and sides. 

Fertilizer: Apply diluted Maxsea fertilizer once or twice a month to the leaves.

Soil & Repotting: The plant comes potted in a custom mix of four parts: peat moss to one part perlite. Repot every few years, and you’ll find many divisions that can be taken from this vigorous plant! 

More Information: For more information on repotting, pests, growing habits, and more, check out our FAQ page or our YouTube channel!