Peacock Orchid

Ten Tips For Caring For Your Peacock Orchids

Executive Summary about Peacock Orchid by James Wesneski

Peacock Orchids, known botanically and sold as "Acidanthera", are a rather rare sight in gardens yet are some of the most enticingly fragrant flowers one can plant. It's important to note that this flower is not an orchid, rather it's related to gladiolus and iris.

When you look at your Acidanthera after you've cultivated them once or twice you'll know if something is wrong, whether they're 'complaining' of too-wet soil, or their need for lots of sun is not being met.

Make sure the soil you plant your Acidanthera in soil that drains well enough so that the flowers' roots (or the bulbs upon planting) do not rest in water. Your Peacock Orchids will thrive in the sunniest location you can provide for them.  The sun need not shine 16 hours a day, but the more sun the more fragrant the flowers will become. 

Acidanthera can be paired with low-growing foliage such as hostas, as the stems reach 2-3ft and droop lovingly over their lower growing underbrush. Use tweezers or another small instrument to keep weeds and other invading roots/plants from moving in on your fragrant Peacock Orchids.  Keep your Peacock Orchids away from strong winds if possible. 

Your Peacock Orchids are perfect for planting in between rocks as a wonderful visual and scented display, and they can also be grown against heat-reflecting walls. Don't worry about deer gobbling up your Acidanthera, these wonderful, fragrant white flowers are known to be deer-resistant, as well as rabbit resistant.

Acidanthera - Rare and Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers are some of the most enjoyable creatures a gardener can cultivate. Of course, virtually everyone is familiar with scented lilies, but there are several lesser-known flowers that pack a fragrant punch and which have begun to show up on the radar amongst gardening aficionados in recent years.

Acidanthera are best planted in bunches in well-draining soil. The foliage produced by this flower is green, sword-shaped and reminiscent of iris leaves.  Acidanthera are variously known as the "Peacock Orchid" or "Sword Lily", and the Latin designation is Acidanthera murialae.  

In very warm areas of the country, e.g. southern California, the flower may bloom twice a year. Acidanthera's growth cycle requires a period in which the bulbs are not watered. This mimics their native habitat in South Africa.

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