How to Grow a Lady's Slipper

The lady's slipper (Cypripedium spp.) genus contains about 50 species of temperate and tropical orchids notable for their fused, pouch-like petals, which resemble a woman's shoe. Where hardy, these terrestrial orchids may be grown outdoors in the home garden. These long lived, unusual ornamentals require moderate maintenance and care.

Hardiness varies depending on species. Small white lady's slipper (Cypripdieum candidum) is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 6, while California lady's slipper (Cypripedium californicum) is best in USDA zones 7 to 9, though it may survive winters in USDA zones 5 and 6 with winter mulching. A native of Alaska, the spotted lady's slipper (Cypripedium guttatum) is hardy in USDA zones 2 to 4.

Lady's slippers generally do best with about 2 hours of direct morning sunlight and dappled shade for the rest of the day. An east- or north-facing location with protection from a fence or building is ideal.

Lady's slippers require a well-draining, loose media to grow. Dig a planting hole about 10 inches deep and replace garden soil with a mixture that is 2 parts pea gravel, 2 parts sand and 1 part potting soil. You can also use equal parts hardwood bark mulch and sand. If planting in a pot, you may use perlite instead of sand. When planting multiple lady's slippers, provide 12 to 14 inches of space between plants.

Dissolve 1 teaspoon of a 20-20-20 fertilizer per 1 gallon of water and fertilize once in late spring and again in early summer, waiting at least three weeks between applications. Do not apply after mid-July. If media is dry, water before feeding.

Water frequently during spring, summer and fall to keep the soil media moist, but not water-logged. Lady's slipper orchids will not survive in sites prone to flooding. For container-grown plants, irrigate until water drains out the bottom.

Throughout the year, maintain a 1-inch layer of shredded leaves to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress competitive weeds. For orchids planted in the fall, or for orchids that are borderline hardy, provide a 4-inch layer of mulch in late fall for winter protection; reduce mulch to 1 inch in late spring.

Slugs and snails commonly attack lady's slipper orchids, eating foliage and leaving behind telltale trails of slime. Remove slugs and snails by hand in the evening, when they are most active, and crush them or drown them in a saltwater solution. You can also kill them with slug bait containing iron phosphate. While wearing gloves, scatter bait in a 6-inch band around the plant, using 1 level teaspoon per square yard. Store unused bait in a secure location away from children and pets. Avoid baits containing metaldehyde, which is highly toxic to mammals, including humans.