3" Aerangis luteo-alba

The Aerangis luteoalba is a truly elegant little species. Its name is a perfect, straightforward Latin description: luteo for "yellow" and alba for "white," and that's exactly what you get. It’s "The White-and-Yellow Aerangis."

It hails from the riverine forests and woodlands of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in Africa. There, it grows as an epiphyte on twigs and small branches at elevations between 2,300 and 4,000 feet. This habitat tells us it enjoys warm, humid air with plenty of moisture and good circulation—conditions we can provide quite nicely here.

The plant itself is a beautiful miniature. It’s a monopodial, growing in a neat fan shape from a very short stem. It typically has 4 to 8 oblong, fleshy leaves that are a deep, glossy green, often with some attractive dark green or black mottling. The leaves are usually only 2 to 4 inches long. One of the best features, even when it's not in bloom, is its root system—a tangle of beautiful, wiry, silvery-white roots that cling tightly to its mount.

From below the leaves, a delicate, pendent, zig-zagging inflorescence emerges, carrying anywhere from a few to a dozen flowers. Each flower is a pristine, crystalline white star with a long, curving nectar spur trailing behind it. The focal point, and the reason for its name, is the brilliant pop of color right in the center—a bright yellow to deep orange column and anther cap. But the most magical quality reveals itself in the evening. At night, these flowers release a powerful and exquisite sweet fragrance, often compared to jasmine. Here we are in late September, heading into the fall, which is prime time for these to start putting on their show for the winter.

Care Instructions

Light: Provide low to shady light, around 800 to 1,500 foot-candles. An east-facing window with no direct sun, or a well-shaded spot in a greenhouse is ideal. It must be protected from any direct, intense sunlight, which will scorch its leaves.

Water: This species requires high humidity and frequent watering. If mounted, it should be misted or watered daily, allowing it to dry out by the evening. It is critical that the roots have excellent air circulation and do not remain soggy. Use rainwater or other low-mineral water if possible.

Temperature: This is a warm-to-hot growing orchid. It thrives with daytime temperatures of 80-90°F and nighttime temperatures that remain above 65°F. It is not tolerant of cold.

Humidity: High humidity is essential, ideally 70-80% or more. In a home environment, this can be achieved by placing it in a terrarium, an orchid case, or near a humidifier.

Potting Medium: Aerangis luteoalba does very well grown mounted on cork bark, tree fern, or a piece of driftwood. This best accommodates its pendent inflorescences and the need for its roots to dry quickly after watering. When potting, use medium-large size bark and allow roots to dry out between waterings.