Troubleshooting
Lady of the Night problems — and how to fix them
Lady of the Night (Brassavola nodosa) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
No fragrance or flowers
Too little light is the usual cause; this orchid needs strong light to bloom and release its night-time scent.
Root and base rot
Result of overwatering or a media that stays wet. Let it dry fully between waterings; mounting eliminates the problem entirely.
Shrivelled leaves
Underwatering or root loss; if roots are healthy, soak more often, especially mounted plants in warm weather.
Reddish leaf tinge
Often just a sign of intense light and not harmful, but pair high light with adequate water so leaves do not desiccate.
Prevent lady of the night problems before they start
Most lady of the night issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- Common lady of the night problems — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Lady of the Night watering schedule
- Lady of the Night light requirements
- Best soil mix for lady of the night
- Lady of the Night temperature & humidity
- Full lady of the night care guide
Looking for lady of the night in general rather than its problems? Read the full lady of the night care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Lady of the Night problems — FAQ
Why is my lady of the night no fragrance or flowers?
Too little light is the usual cause; this orchid needs strong light to bloom and release its night-time scent.
Why is my lady of the night root and base rot?
Result of overwatering or a media that stays wet. Let it dry fully between waterings; mounting eliminates the problem entirely.
Why is my lady of the night shrivelled leaves?
Underwatering or root loss; if roots are healthy, soak more often, especially mounted plants in warm weather.
Why is my lady of the night reddish leaf tinge?
Often just a sign of intense light and not harmful, but pair high light with adequate water so leaves do not desiccate.