How to Grow Monkey Face Orchid
Wikimedia Commons
Monkey Face Orchid
Dracula simia
flowerDracula simia is a rare and exotic orchid native to the cloud forests of Ecuador, named for its distinctive flower that remarkably resembles a monkey's face. This epiphytic orchid produces small, velvety dark burgundy flowers with white markings that bloom sequentially throughout the year. It is highly prized by orchid collectors for its unique appearance and challenging cultivation requirements.
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Example Monkey Face Orchid timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Monkey Face Orchid
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Monkey Face Orchid blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in warm, humid tropical conditions (zones 10b-11); best grown as a houseplant in temperate climates
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Get my Monkey Face Orchid timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling/Young Plant
6-12 monthsSmall plants with minimal leaf development; vulnerable to disease and environmental stress
Keep in humid propagation chamber; maintain 70-75°F; provide gentle air circulation; use distilled water only; repot when new growth appears
Vegetative Growth
1-2 yearsPlant develops characteristic narrow, strap-like leaves and establishes root system; creates multiple growing points
Maintain stable temperatures (60-75°F); ensure high humidity and bright indirect light; avoid direct sun; fertilize weakly every 2 weeks with orchid-specific fertilizer at 1/4 strength
Pre-flowering
6-12 weeksPlant reaches maturity; new growths develop more robustly; flower spikes may begin to initiate
Provide cool winter rest period (55-65°F nights) to trigger flowering; reduce watering slightly; maintain excellent drainage; continue high humidity
Flowering
8-12 weeks per bloom cycleDistinctive monkey-faced flowers emerge on pendulous spikes; flowers open sequentially; blooms are dark burgundy with white markings and characteristic facial features
Maintain consistent care without disruption; provide 12-14 hours of light; avoid moving plant; mist around (not on) flowers; flowers may persist for weeks to months
Post-flowering Rest
4-8 weeksFlowers fade and drop; plant enters recovery period; may produce new growth spikes
Continue regular care; allow brief dry period; prepare for next growth cycle; remove spent flower spikes if desired
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or miticide if severe; improve air circulation
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Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap; isolate plant; repeat treatment every 7-10 days
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Manual removal; horticultural oil spray; neem oil; regular inspection and early removal critical
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and
(various species)
Improve air circulation; reduce humidity slightly; avoid wetting foliage; remove affected areas; use fungicide if needed; ensure excellent drainage
Uses
Orchid Specimen Collecting
CraftMonkey face orchids are highly prized by serious orchid collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Their rarity and distinctive appearance make them a centerpiece in specialized orchid collections. [source]
Indoor Botanical Display
HouseholdUsed as an exotic houseplant in controlled indoor environments, terrariums, or orchid greenhouses to add tropical ambiance and conversation interest. Requires dedicated growing space with proper conditions. [source]
Pollinator Habitat Value
WildlifeIn native cloud forests, the flowers attract specific pollinators adapted to orchid reproduction. Conservation of these plants in cultivation supports biodiversity knowledge. [source]
Culinary Garnish (Limited)
CulinaryOccasionally used as an ornamental edible garnish in high-end cuisine, though the focus is aesthetic rather than flavor. The flowers are delicate and should be sourced from pesticide-free plants. [source]
Traditional Medicine Research
MedicinalSome Dracula species have been studied in traditional South American medicine, though Dracula simia specifically is primarily valued as an ornamental. Research into orchid compounds continues. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Not harvested; grown for ornamental flowers only. Cut flowers can be removed individually as they open or left on plant; flowers persist for several weeks
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The flower's remarkable resemblance to a monkey's face (from which the scientific name 'simia' derives) is so striking that early taxonomists debated whether the shape was coincidental or an evolutionary adaptation for pollinator attraction.
- 🌱 Dracula simia was first scientifically described only in 1978 and remains one of the rarest orchids in the world; it is nearly extinct in its native cloud forest habitat in Ecuador due to habitat loss and poaching for the orchid trade.
- 🌱 The flowers emit a faint fruity scent reminiscent of ripe oranges, which may attract specific pollinators in their native cloud forest ecosystem, though the exact pollinator remains unknown to scientists.
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