Coelogyne chinensis (syn. Pholidota chinensis)

Coelogyne chinensis, long known in cultivation as Pholidota chinensis, grows as an epiphyte or on rocks from the eastern Himalaya through southern China, Hainan and Indochina. Pendant chains of white flowers hang between papery bracts, giving the overlapping, scaled look typical of the former Pholidota group.

What to expect

• Flowers: White, in hanging chains with papery bracts.
• Plant: Pseudobulbs with paired leaves; grows on trees or rocks in the wild.
• Tolerance: Adaptable and forgiving in an intermediate collection.

Growing notes

• Temperature: Intermediate; tolerates cool nights.
• Light: Bright filtered light.
• Water: Water freely in growth, a little less in the cooler months.
• Humidity & air: Moderate humidity with good air movement.

About the name

The name Coelogyne chinensis was published in 1861, but for most of the 20th century the plant was grown as Pholidota chinensis. In 2021 the whole of Pholidota was merged into Coelogyne, and Kew now accepts Coelogyne chinensis.

Shipping & condition

Supplied at flowering size – either a mature plant or a division from a plant that has already flowered – grown on in the Dandenong Ranges. Plants are packed on Sunday and sent on Monday. Buds and flowers cannot be guaranteed at time of shipping due to seasonal and environmental factors.