Light. Partial shade is best in South Florida.
Water. Grow it in well-drained soil that never floods. Set the plant slightly above the soil line to keep rot from starting.
Soil and feeding. Mix organic matter into the bed before planting to support the root system. Mulch, and feed every couple of months with an organic or slow-release fertilizer.
Size. Pleated leaves reach up to 2 ft, with flower stems about 20 inches long. Clumps grow larger over time and divide easily.
Problems to watch. It is not salt tolerant. Below 40°F it may go dormant, so protect it from frost and freezes.
Good to know. Flowers can last two months or more, and new ones can appear year-round. It grows well in containers.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County: Spathoglottis, a beautiful terrestrial orchid
