With its explosion of vibrant colors, the Poor Man’s Orchid (also known as Butterfly Flower) is a total showstopper in any backyard. Originally hailing from Chile, these beauties are surprisingly tough. Whether you want to tuck them into your garden beds or brighten up your balcony with some containers, they’re a fantastic choice.
Can the Poor Man’s Orchid handle a little frost?
Technically, the Poor Man’s Orchid can tolerate a quick dip in temperature down to about 20°F (-7°C), but only for a short burst. If you live somewhere with very mild winters, it might survive outside. However, here’s the catch: it’s not really a perennial. Even if you manage to keep it alive through the winter in a frost-free spot, it’s usually not worth the effort.
Why shouldn’t I bother overwintering it?
The Poor Man’s Orchid (botanical name *Schizanthus*) isn’t truly hardy. Even if you baby your plant and get it through the cold months, you’ll likely be disappointed come spring. These plants generally won’t bloom a second time. To keep that color coming year after year, your best bet is to start fresh with new plants or seeds each season.
Where can I find new plants without breaking the bank?
You can find these orchids in stunning shades at local nurseries or online for a great price. But if you’re like me and love a little DIY project, growing them from seed is super rewarding! They germinate pretty reliably if you keep them nice and warm—between 72°F and 77°F.
I recommend buying fresh seeds for the best results. To keep your current plants blooming as long as possible, you’ll want to deadhead those spent flowers regularly. This means the plant won’t produce its own seeds, but the trade-off is a much more lush, spectacular floral display.
To get a head start, begin your sowing early so they’re ready to move outside before their blooming season kicks off. If you sow them in the fall and keep them indoors, the little seedlings will have plenty of time to get strong over the winter.
Quick Takeaways:
- It’s an annual plant.
- Can handle light frost (down to 20°F), but isn’t built for long winters.
- Won’t re-bloom in its second year, even if it survives the cold.
- Available in gorgeous shades of red, pink, and bicolor patterns.
- Start seeds in the fall for the best results.
- Young plants can usually head outdoors starting in March.
Pro Tip: Even though the Poor Man’s Orchid is an annual, it’s incredibly easy to grow from seed every year!
