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Species library › Paphiopedilum › Paphiopedilum thaianum
Orchids Well documented

Paphiopedilum thaianum

Thai slipper orchid

A tiny, critically endangered slipper orchid of section Brachypetalum, known only from limestone hills in Phang Nga, peninsular Thailand. It has mottled leaves 3–10 cm long, purple beneath, and a single fragrant white flower 3–5 cm across in April–May. It is a warm-growing, shade-loving plant of limestone, related to P. niveum, and needs a lime-rich, free-draining mix and steady moisture.

At home, aim for
Day Warm-growingTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Humid airBand in Plantistry
Light ShadeDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
No rest periodGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

It grows in the shade of primary forest on steep limestone slopes and cliff faces, under shrubs, rooting in a thin layer of humus about 2 cm deep over limestone. Its leaves collect moisture, and the roots spread through leaf litter in rock pockets.

It is recorded only between about 350 and 450 m on limestone hills in Phang Nga province.

Thailand: Phang Nga province (peninsular Thailand)

🔒 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.