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Plant care

Lion's Angraecum (Lion Orchid) care

Angraecum leonis

Also called Lion's Angraecum, Lion Orchid.

RHS H1aUSDA 11–12Pet-safeIndoor 15–20 cm wide

Watering rhythm

2-4days

Every 2–4 days in summer, every 7–10 days in winter

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Coarse bark or mounted cork/tree-fern

Humidity

65–85%

Temp

18–30 °C (day 24–30 °C; night minimum 18 °C)

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

15–20 cm wide

Care at a glance

Light

Lion's Angraecum 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. Thrives at 25,000–40,000 lux — equivalent to a bright east or shaded south window. Two to three hours of gentle morning sun are fine; avoid harsh midday direct sun which scorches the fleshy leaves. Good air circulation at all times prevents fungal issues. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water lion's angraecum every 2–4 days in summer, every 7–10 days 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 thoroughly then allow the medium to approach dryness before re-watering — puckered or pleated leaves signal under-watering. Use lukewarm water; cold water below 10 °C can injure roots. Reduce frequency in cooler winter months but never let the plant fully desiccate.

Soil and pot

Lion's Angraecum grows best in coarse bark or mounted cork/tree-fern. Grow in a very open, fast-draining medium of chunky fir bark with perlite and a small amount of sphagnum moss. Many growers prefer mounting on cork bark or tree-fern plaques to mimic epiphytic conditions. Repot only when absolutely necessary as roots resent disturbance. 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

Lion's Angraecum sits happiest at around 65–85% humidity and 18–30 °C (day 24–30 °C; night minimum 18 °C) (64–86 °F (day 75–86 °F; night minimum 64 °F)). Needs 75–85% humidity from spring through autumn, dropping to around 65% in winter. Achieve with a humidity tray, grouping plants, or a greenhouse setting. Good airflow is essential alongside high humidity to prevent rot. If you keep the room above 18–30 °C (day 24–30 °C; night minimum 18 °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 lion's angraecum sparingly. Apply a balanced orchid fertiliser (e.g. 20-20-20) at quarter-strength weekly during active growth (spring–autumn). Reduce to every 3–4 weeks in winter. Flush roots with plain water monthly to prevent salt accumulation. 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 lion's angraecum in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Root rot — Caused by overly retentive media or insufficient airflow. Roots turn brown and mushy. Switch to a more open bark mix, improve ventilation, and water only when the medium nearly dries.
  • Leaf puckering — Fleshy leaves wrinkle when the plant is underwatered or kept too dry. Increase watering frequency and check root health — dehydration is common when mounted in low-humidity environments.
  • Scale insects — Brown scale and mealybugs colonise leaf axils and root junctions. Wipe off manually with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol and treat with a horticultural oil spray.

Propagation

Division of basal keikis (offshoots) once they have 2–3 roots of at least 2–3 cm. Seed propagation requires sterile flask culture and is specialist-level. Stem cuttings are not practical for this monopodial species. 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

Lion's Angraecum is pet-safe. Angraecum is not individually listed by ASPCA for this genus, but belongs to the Orchidaceae family, which is broadly recognised as non-toxic to cats and dogs. No toxic principle has been reported for this genus. Standard caution applies: fertilisers and pesticides used with the plant may be harmful if ingested. 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.

Lion's Angraecum care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Angraecum leonis?

Angraecum leonis is most commonly called Lion's Angraecum, but it is also known as Lion's Angraecum, Lion Orchid. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Lion's Angraecum apply identically to anything sold as Lion Orchid.

How much light does lion's angraecum need?

Lion's Angraecum grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Thrives at 25,000–40,000 lux — equivalent to a bright east or shaded south window. Two to three hours of gentle morning sun are fine; avoid harsh midday direct sun which scorches the fleshy leaves. Good air circulation at all times prevents fungal issues.

How often should I water lion's angraecum?

Water lion's angraecum every 2–4 days in summer, every 7–10 days in winter. Water thoroughly then allow the medium to approach dryness before re-watering — puckered or pleated leaves signal under-watering. Use lukewarm water; cold water below 10 °C can injure roots. Reduce frequency in cooler winter months but never let the plant fully desiccate. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is lion's angraecum toxic to cats and dogs?

Lion's Angraecum is pet-safe. Angraecum is not individually listed by ASPCA for this genus, but belongs to the Orchidaceae family, which is broadly recognised as non-toxic to cats and dogs. No toxic principle has been reported for this genus. Standard caution applies: fertilisers and pesticides used with the plant may be harmful if ingested.

What USDA hardiness zone does lion's angraecum grow in?

Lion's Angraecum is rated for USDA zone 11–12 and RHS hardiness H1a. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Lion's Angraecum deep-dive guides

Every aspect of lion's angraecum care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Lion's Angraecum qualifies for 11 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Lion's Angraecum is also commonly called Lion's Angraecum or Lion Orchid.