Also known as Lady's Slipper Orchid · 276 gardener saves
Cypripedium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cypripedium, the genus most gardeners know as lady's slipper orchid. We track 18 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Cypripedium varieties
Of 18 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSmall Yellow Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum 'var parviflorum'
#2 most savedShowy Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium reginae
#3 most savedSabine's Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium sabine
Lady's Slipper Orchid Hybrid Emil
Cypripedium x hybrida 'Emil'
Gabriela's Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium x gabrieleae 'Gabriela'
Gisela Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium x godefroianum 'Gisela'
Yellow Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum 'pubescens'
Showy Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium reginae 'Hank Small'
Japanese Lady's Slipper Orchid
Cypripedium japonicum
Formosan Lady's Slipper Orchid
Cypripedium formosanum
Fasciolated Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium fasciolatum
Lady's Slipper Orchid
Cypripedium x hybrida 'Anna'
Browse all 18 Cypripedium varieties →
How to grow Cypripedium
What the Cypripedium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 18 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cypripedium year
- MulchOctober and November94% of varieties
Apply 2 inches of shredded bark or leaf mold to keep roots cool
- PlantMarch, September and October94% of varieties
Plant dormant rhizomes in rich, well-drained, acidic soil
- FertilizeMarch and April78% of varieties
Apply weak, balanced fertilizer as shoots emerge in spring
- Check for PestsMarch–May67% of varieties
Monitor closely for slugs and snails, which damage new shoots
- Spring CleanupFebruary61% of varieties
Cut back last year's dead stems and leaves before new growth starts
- DivideSeptember39% of varieties
Divide only if absolutely necessary, in early fall when dormant
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Monitor for pests regularly
- Apply mulch to retain soil moisture
- Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring
- Provide shaded environment
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch leaves ❌
- Avoid heavy, waterlogged soil
- Refrain from disturbing roots during dormancy
What goes wrong with Cypripedium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Slugs | Holes in leaves and damaged flowers | Use organic slug pellets or handpick slugs at night |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
| Slugs and snails | Chewed leaves and stems | Use organic slug bait or handpick during damp evenings |
| Root rot | Wilting despite adequate watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
| Fungal leaf spots | Brown spots on leaves | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Botrytis | Gray mold on flowers and leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Cypripedium
Division
- Dig up mature plants after flowering.
- Separate rhizomes with a sharp knife, ensuring each has roots.
- Plant divisions in shaded, moist soil.
- Water thoroughly and keep soil consistently moist.
- Wait 6 weeks for new growth to establish.
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after flowering and clean gently.
- Stratify seeds in moist medium at 4°C for 3 months.
- Sow in shaded, well-draining soil mixture.
- Keep soil moist and provide indirect light.
- Germination may take several months.
Cypripedium questions
How many types of Cypripedium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 18 distinct Cypripedium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 276 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cypripedium grow in?
Across its varieties, Cypripedium covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cypripedium bloom?
Most Cypripedium varieties bloom in late spring, late spring to early summer, early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cypripedium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cypripedium shows up in
Design with Cypripedium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
