Fairy Slipper

Fairy Slipper should be watered when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Water thoroughly, until it begins to drip from the container's holes, making sure the entire root system is well saturated. Then allow the soil to dry almost completely before the next watering. Depending on the humidity and light levels, Fairy Slipper should be watered every 2-4 weeks.

Fairy Slipper (Calypso bulbosa) is a cool-season plant that does best with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, though more sunlight is beneficial. When grown in shade, Fairy Slipper will produce smaller blooms. However, if given too much sunlight, the foliage may scorch. So, it is best to provide dappled sunlight for these plants or the shade of trees and shrubs. Morning sun is also the best choice for this species. In hotter climates, late afternoon shade should be provided to prevent the foliage from burning.

Fairy slipper (Calypso bulbosa) requires minimal pruning. It should only be done once the plant has finished blooming in the early summer. Pruning should be done to deadhead spent flowers, however, be very careful not to trim off any non-flowering stems. When deadheading, it is best to use sterile, sharp scissors to minimize the risk of spreading disease. If any of the foliage becomes discolored or grows too tall, trim back the foliage to the preferred size. Since Fairy Slipper is a native plant, it is important to leave seed heads and seedlings intact to encourage growth of the species.