How much sun does White lady's-slipper need?

White lady's-slipper grows best in full sun conditions.

When does White lady's-slipper bloom?

White lady's-slipper blooms in May and June.

Where is White lady's-slipper native?

White lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) is native to AL, AR, IA, IL and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does White lady's-slipper attract?

White lady's-slipper draws small native bees.

White lady's-slipper

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cypripedium candidum

Last reviewed: September 2026

White lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) is a perennial forb native to AL, AR, IA, IL and 14 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw small native bees.

Toxicity unknown

White lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

6"–14" H × 6"–10" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, IA, IL and 14 more states

Pollinators

small native bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great Plains Ozark Highlands Western Corn Belt Plains Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Interior River Valleys and Hills

A small terrestrial orchid of calcium-rich wet meadows and fens, with pleated leaves and a single small white pouch-shaped flower veined with purple. Slow-growing and delicate, it holds a neat, deliberate form.

Growing White lady's-slipper

Grow White lady's-slipper in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 6 to 14 inches tall and spread 6 to 10 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Uses deceptive pollination, luring small native bees into the pouch flower without offering a nectar reward.

Common questions

How much sun does White lady's-slipper need?: White lady's-slipper grows best in full sun conditions.
When does White lady's-slipper bloom?: White lady's-slipper blooms in May and June.
Where is White lady's-slipper native?: White lady's-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) is native to AL, AR, IA, IL and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does White lady's-slipper attract?: White lady's-slipper draws small native bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow White lady's-slipper? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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