Grasshopper Lycaste care

Light

Grasshopper Lycaste is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Provide 2,000–3,000 foot-candles of bright, diffuse light. A shaded south or bright east window with a sheer curtain works well. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which bleaches and scorches the pleated leaves. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water grasshopper lycaste every 5–7 days in growth; near-dry rest in winter. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Water liberally when growing (spring–early autumn), allowing the mix to approach dryness between waterings. As leaves yellow and shed in autumn, taper off watering dramatically. Maintain a 6–8 week near-dry rest at cooler temperatures until new growth signals the end of dormancy.

Soil and pot

Grasshopper Lycaste grows best in fast-draining fine orchid bark mix. Combine fine fir bark, perlite, and a small amount of sphagnum in roughly a 60:25:15 ratio. Net or clay pots aid drainage and aeration. Avoid heavy, moisture-retentive composts — standing moisture at the roots causes rapid rot. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Grasshopper Lycaste sits happiest at around 55–70% humidity and 10–26°C (50–79°F). Requires moderate-high ambient humidity. Use a humidity tray filled with pebbles and water, or a room humidifier. Always pair with good air circulation to keep foliage dry and minimise fungal disease risk. If you keep the room above 10–26°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed grasshopper lycaste sparingly. Feed at quarter-strength balanced orchid fertiliser (20-20-20) fortnightly during active growth. Shift to a bloom-booster (high-P) formula as pseudobulbs approach maturity in late summer. Stop feeding entirely through the dry winter rest. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on grasshopper lycaste in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Root rot from overwatering — The most common killer. During and especially after the dry rest, excess moisture causes the fleshy roots to rot quickly. Use a free-draining mix, pots with drainage holes, and check root health at every repotting.
• Botrytis (grey mould) on flowers — Cool, still, humid conditions promote Botrytis cinerea on the flowers and soft leaf tissue. Increase airflow with a small fan, avoid misting the flowers, and remove any infected tissue promptly.
• No flowers despite healthy pseudobulbs — Flowering is triggered by a cool, dry rest once leaves fall. If temperatures stay above 18°C year-round or water is not reduced in winter, the plant will not initiate spikes. Ensure a 6–8 week rest at 10–14°C.

Propagation

Divide established clumps at repotting time, with each division retaining 3+ pseudobulbs and a visible new lead growth. Isolated backbulbs can be laid on barely moist sphagnum in a warm, humid environment to regenerate, though success rates are variable. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Grasshopper Lycaste is pet-safe. Orchidaceae (orchid family) members are listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs and cats. No toxic compounds have been reported for Lycaste locusta. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Grasshopper Lycaste deep-dive guides

Every aspect of grasshopper lycaste care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common grasshopper lycaste problems & fixes
• Grasshopper Lycaste watering schedule
• Grasshopper Lycaste light requirements
• Best soil mix for grasshopper lycaste
• Grasshopper Lycaste fertilizing guide
• When to repot grasshopper lycaste
• How to propagate grasshopper lycaste
• How to prune grasshopper lycaste
• What's eating my grasshopper lycaste?
• Grasshopper Lycaste growth rate & size
• Grasshopper Lycaste cold hardiness
• Grasshopper Lycaste temperature & humidity
• Is grasshopper lycaste toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is grasshopper lycaste toxic to cats?
• Is grasshopper lycaste toxic to dogs?
• All 10 Lycaste varieties

Featured in these plant shortlists

Grasshopper Lycaste qualifies for 10 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best small & tabletop houseplants — Compact houseplants that stay under about 40 cm — desk, shelf and windowsill plants that never outgrow a small space.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Best fragrant houseplants — Indoor plants with scented flowers or aromatic foliage — greenery you can smell, selected from our care library.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Best small pet-safe plants — Compact, tabletop houseplants that are also ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs — safe greenery for a desk or shelf.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Grasshopper Lycaste is also commonly called Grasshopper Lycaste.

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