Anoectochilus sikkimensis

Origin and background of Anoectochilus sikkimensis

Anoectochilus sikkimensis is now treated as a synonym of Anoectochilus brevilabris, although the older name remains in horticulture. In Sikkim, this plant occurs around 914–1,524 m. A. brevilabris ranges from Nepal through Assam and the eastern Himalaya to Yunnan, growing in humid broad-leaved forest, shaded valleys and humus-rich ground.

The revised A. brevilabris was assessed as Critically Endangered under IUCN criteria in 2025.

Care for Anoectochilus sikkimensis

• Light and position: Choose gentle light from a filtered window or a gentle grow light.
• Moisture: Keep the fine roots lightly moist. When the surface feels lightly moist, water thoroughly and allow excess water to drain away.
• Temperature: Keep the plant warm in a spot with fairly even temperatures.
• Humidity and ventilation: The low foliage does well in humid air. In enclosed displays, provide gentle airflow so condensation clears promptly.
• Potting mix and pot shape: Use an organic potting mix that holds moisture and drains well. A shallow pot leaves plenty of room for the low stems to spread.
• Feeding: While the plant is actively growing, use a complete fertiliser at low strength. Occasionally water thoroughly with plain water to wash excess fertiliser salts through the mix.
• Slower growth: When growth slows, keep the mix lightly moist and allow a little more time between waterings. Resume regular feeding when fresh growth appears.
• Repotting and division: Replace compacted or slow-draining mix. Give the plant a broader pot once its low stems reach the rim. For division, choose a rooted piece with fresh growth of its own.

Problems and solutions for Anoectochilus sikkimensis

• Leaf margins curl or crisp: Dry roots, warm dry air or a sudden increase in light can make the plant lose moisture faster. Water thoroughly, then keep the mix evenly moist and move it back to gentle filtered light.
• Brown spotting spreads after repeated wetting: Fungal and bacterial leaf problems can both produce spreading brown spots. Remove heavily affected foliage, water carefully so the leaves stay dry and increase gentle airflow.
• Stippling, silver scars, webbing or fixed bumps develop: Look beneath the leaves and along the stems for mites, thrips, mealybugs or scale. Move an infested plant away from other plants. Use an indoor-plant treatment labelled for the pest. Follow the label for dose and repeat treatment.
• A low stem turns soft and translucent: Constantly wet mix and bacterial soft rot can both cause rapid lower-stem collapse. Using a clean tool, remove all soft tissue until the stem is firm and healthy. Discard the rotten pieces, then pot the healthy sections into fresh mix that drains well and allow new roots to develop.
• A dark mark spreads from the base as the plant wilts: Fungal disease may affect the roots or lower stem. Remove affected tissue and replace compact mix with a loose, freely draining mix. Only treat after identifying the fungal disease. Choose an indoor-plant fungicide whose label lists it. Follow the label for dose and repeat treatment.

Keep Anoectochilus sikkimensis away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Why is Anoectochilus sikkimensis now called Anoectochilus brevilabris?

Anoectochilus combines Greek anoiktos, meaning open, with cheilos, meaning lip, referring to the spreading form of the flower’s labellum. The epithet sikkimensis was named for Sikkim in the eastern Himalaya, using the geographical ending -ensis.

Carl Ludwig Blume established the genus Anoectochilus in 1825 in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, page 411.

George King and Robert Pantling first described Anoectochilus sikkimensis in 1896 in Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Part 2, Natural History, volume 65, page 124.

Kew’s World Checklist treats Anoectochilus sikkimensis as a synonym of Anoectochilus brevilabris. John Lindley first described Anoectochilus brevilabris in 1840 in Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants, page 499.