Paphiopedilum argus

A mottled-leaved slipper orchid endemic to the mountains of Luzon in the Philippines, named for the many dark 'eyes' spotting its petals. Grow it as a cool-to-intermediate Paphiopedilum with a distinct winter night drop and a slightly drier winter, which helps it flower in spring.

At home, aim for

Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry

Light Dappled lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

It grows in leaf litter, humus and moss along volcanic ridges under low (often stunted, windswept) montane forest, rooted in a thin, fast-draining organic layer rather than deep soil.

Recorded at 1150–1600 m in the mountains of Luzon.

Philippines

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.