Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 6 Jun 2026

The easy orchid that blooms like a tropical sunrise: Epidendrum

🌅 The easy orchid that blooms like a tropical sunrise: Epidendrum



Most people think orchids are fussy plants that belong in greenhouses or on windowsills. Epidendrum radicans - also known as Orange Reed Ground Orchid or Sunrise Orchid - proves otherwise. This colorful orchid grows in the ground, tolerates heat and humidity, multiplies easily, and can bloom for months with very little care.

🔥 Not your typical orchid



Unlike many orchids that grow on trees, Epidendrum radicans is a terrestrial orchid native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It naturally grows on the ground and even among rocks.

Its upright reed-like stems are topped by clusters of brilliant orange flowers with golden-yellow highlights. A single mature stem can carry dozens of blooms, and large plantings resemble patches of miniature tropical sunrises.

🔥 Easy to grow, easy to share



Epidendrum thrives in Florida's heat and humidity and performs best in bright light and well-drained soil. In warm climates it often blooms throughout the year.

One reason gardeners love it is its ability to spread. The stems naturally produce roots along their length, making division and propagation remarkably easy. A single plant can eventually develop into a large, colorful colony.

🔥 A pollinator favorite



The vivid orange flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and stand out brightly against green foliage. This makes Epidendrum a valuable addition to pollinator gardens and tropical landscapes.

🔥 Better than a flowering annual



Unlike annual flowers that must be replaced each season, Epidendrum returns year after year and gradually expands into larger clumps. It works well along walkways, patios, entryways, borders, and mixed tropical beds where its upright growth adds height and color.

🔥 The orchid that deserves more attention



Some plants become famous because they are difficult or rare. Epidendrum radicans deserves attention for the opposite reason.
It is colorful, dependable, beginner-friendly, and generous with flowers. Give it sunshine, good drainage, and a place to grow, and it will reward you with months of vibrant blooms that bring the warmth and energy of a tropical sunrise into your garden. 👉 More...

💡 #Fun_facts:

📌 The common name "Crucifix Orchid" comes from the tiny cross-shaped structure in the center of each flower.
📌 Unlike many orchids, it naturally produces roots along its stems, which is one reason it spreads and propagates so easily.
📌 In Florida, it's often used as a landscape orchid rather than a houseplant.

📚 Learn more:

Bamboo Orchid Plant Facts

Botanical name: Arundina graminifolia, Arundina affinis, Bletia graminifolia
Also known as: Bamboo Orchid, Bird Orchid
USDA Zone: 9 - 10
Highligths Small plant 2-5 ftSemi-shadeShadeFull sunWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyEpiphyte plantWhite, off-white flowersPink flowers
Get personalized tips for your region

· Epidendrum in Plant Encyclopedia
· Orange Reed Ground Orchid, Sunrise
· The "Fake" Bamboo That Blooms Like a Rare Orchid Year-Round
· The prettiest flower for shade
· Ground orchids: all-summer colors
· Why do we love Ground Orchids
· Terrestrial orchids
· What orchids can be grown in the ground
🎥 Ground orchids: all-summer colors for shady gardens

🛒 Shop Ground Orchids

#Container_Garden #Shade_Garden #Discover

🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 13 Sep 2025

🌸 Meet the Most Colorful Ground Orchids

Collage  of  ground  orchids  –  Phaius  tankervilleae  (Nun  Orchid), 
 Spathoglottis  varieties  (purple,  yellow,  white,  pink),  Arundina  graminifolia
    (Bamboo  Orchid),  and  Epidendrum  species  (orange,  pink,  red  Reed 
 Orchids)

Ground Orchids – Spathoglottis, Phaius, Arundina, Epidendrum

  1. Chinese Nun Ground Orchid (Phaius tankervilleae)
  2. Yokohama Ground orchid Kate (Bletilla striata x formosana)
  3. Tropical Punch, Sorbet Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis plicata)
  4. Bamboo Orchid (Arundina graminifolia)
  5. Snow Angel, Coconut Cloud Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis alba)
  6. Orange Reed Ground Orchid (Epidendrum radicans Sunrise)
  7. Lemon Kiss, Sorbet Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis chrysanta)
  8. Pink Reed Ground Orchid, Violet Queen (Epidendrum radicans Fuchsia)
  9. Lavender Reed Ground Orchid (Epidendrum elongatum x radicans)
  10. Red Raspberry Reed Ground Orchid (Epidendrum radicans Red Glow)

Orchids have a mystique that sets them apart — elegant, exotic, almost unreal in their perfection. But let’s be honest, not everyone has luck with the fancy ones that cling to trees or need greenhouse tricks.

Ground orchids are different. They grow in regular garden soil, bloom in sun or shade, and come in all sorts of shapes and colors. They’re the orchids you don’t have to fuss over.

Nun Orchid (Phaius tankervilleae) – Ever wonder why it’s called the Nun Orchid? The flowers really do look like the white veil and brown habit nuns used to wear. The plants send up spikes 3–4 ft tall with 10–20 fragrant blooms that open one after another for weeks. I like them best tucked under trees where they just keep spreading year after year.

Spathoglottis – The nonstop bloomer – If you want flowers that just don’t quit, this one’s it. Spathoglottis clumps up and throws spikes of purple, pink, or yellow that last for weeks, then keep coming back through the summer. In warm spots they’ll bloom almost year-round. Honestly, it’s one of the easiest orchids you’ll ever grow.

💲 Special Offer – 20% off Ground Orchids!

Get 20% OFF ground orchids with code

ORCHID2025

Min order $100. Excluding S/H, valid online only, cannot be combined with other offers.

Hurry, offer expires September 17, 2025!

Shop ground orchids

Date: 4 Aug 2024

If RED is your favorite flower color, this is your plant!

Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid

Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid

Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid

Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid

Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid

💋 If RED is your favorite flower color, this is your plant!

👄 Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid, Sunrise - is one of the most spectacular ground orchids.

👄 The Orange Reed Ground Orchid symbolizes warmth and energy, much like a sunrise, bringing a splash of color and life wherever it grows.

📚 See earlier posts about ground orchids: 1 2

🎥 YouTube: Ground Orchids

🛒 Shop Ground Orchids

#Shade_Garden #Container_Garden


🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 22 Apr 2024

What orchids can be grown in the ground?

Spathoglottis Tropical Punch - Sorbet Ground Orchid

Spathoglottis Tropical Punch - Sorbet Ground Orchid

Spathoglottis Tropical Punch - Sorbet Ground Orchid

Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid, Sunrise

Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid, Sunrise

Spathoglottis Lemon Kiss - Sorbet Ground Orchid

Spathoglottis Lemon Kiss - Sorbet Ground Orchid

Bletilla striata x formosana Kate - Yokohama Ground orchid

Bletilla striata x formosana Kate - Yokohama Ground orchid

Epidendrum elongatum x radicans - Lavender Reed Ground Orchid

Epidendrum elongatum x radicans - Lavender Reed Ground Orchid

Spathoglottis Rainbow - Sorbet Ground Orchid

Spathoglottis Rainbow - Sorbet Ground Orchid

Arundina graminifolia - Bamboo Orchid, Bird Ground Orchid

Arundina graminifolia - Bamboo Orchid, Bird Ground Orchid

🌸 What orchids can be grown in the ground?

Orchids have a mystique that seems to set them apart from most other flowers... they are elegant and almost unreal in their perfection... But not every gardener has luck growing traditional orchids.

⚜️ Terrestrial orchids (a.k.a. ground orchids) grow in regular garden soil instead of in the air on tree branches!

⚜️ Ground orchids come in many colors and shapes.

⚜️ Ground orchids will be happy to bloom in sun or shade and are very easy to grow!

🎥 Watch YouTube: Ground Orchids

🛒 Order Ground Orchids

#Shade_Garden #Container_Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 13 Oct 2024

What is the prettiest flower for shade?

Spathoglottis Tropical Punch - Sorbet Ground Orchid

⚜️ What is the prettiest flower for shade?

❗️ Ground orchids grow in regular garden soil instead of in the air on tree branches, come in many colors and shapes, bloom in sun or shade and are very easy to grow!

🎥 Spathoglottis Tropical Punch - Sorbet Ground Orchid

📚 Learn more from previous posts:


🟡 Ground orchids: all-summer colors
🟡 Why do we love Ground Orchids?
🟡 Epidendrum radicans - Orange Reed Ground Orchid, Sunrise
🟡 Terrestrial orchids
🟡 What orchids can be grown in the ground?

📱 Watch YouTube video: Ground Orchids

🛒 Order Ground Orchids

#Shade_Garden #Container_Garden

🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals