Pleione

Pleione is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It comprises about a dozen species native to Asia, ranging from the Himalayas through southern China and Taiwan to parts of Southeast Asia and the Malay Archipelago. Pleione species are typically epiphytic or lithophytic, growing on trees or rocks in forested habitats, often at cool to intermediate elevations.

Plants are small, with short creeping rhizomes and two to three evergreen leaves atop each pseudobulb. Inflorescences emerge from the base of the pseudobulbs as slender racemes carrying several to many flowers. Flowers are usually small to medium-sized, and colored in pink, lavender, white, or bi-colored patterns, frequently with a contrasting lip.

In cultivation, Pleione is prized for its relatively cool-growing habit compared with many tropical orchids. It prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and good drainage. A pronounced dry period in winter helps induce flowering. They are commonly grown in lean bark-based mixes and require repotting only every few years as they slowly increase in size.

Pleione has contributed to orchid breeding with numerous hybrids and cultivars. The genus is recognized by orchid enthusiasts for its attractive, enduring spring-to-summer blooms and its capacity to tolerate cooler temperatures, making it a popular choice for temperate-region collections.