Calanthes are distributed throughout southern China, across Japan, most of India, down through Thailand, the Malaysian Peninsula and various islands of Southeast Asia. They are terrestrials, growing in various types of soil or on rocky outcrops, thriving wherever the conditions suit them best.

This genus can be roughly divided into two groups, the evergreen and the deciduous plants. Firstly, the evergreen calanthes produce a creeping rhizome either just on or just below the surface of the soil. Along the rhizome grow two, three or four leaves from a very small pseudobulb. The new growth appears at the end of the rhizome and quickly matures into fresh foliage, usually flowering at the same time. The flower spikes stand upright, well clear of the leaves, which is typical of any terrestrial orchid. The sprays of flowers come in a range of colours, from browny yellows to bright gold, through to white.

The very first orchid hybrid was created from two evergreen Calanthe species. It was produced in 1856, between C. masuca and C. furcata, and was named Calanthe Dominii. The Victorians grew large quantities of calanthes. Cool-growing and requiring little or no artificial heat, large pans of these plants would decorate their huge conservatories. Sadly, today they are out of fashion. The exception is in the Far East, particularly Japan, where they have always been popular and remain so today. A visitor to a Japanese orchid show will see large displays of modern hybrids, all beautifully grown.

The deciduous calanthes come from a similar part of the world but are not as widely distributed. Their vegetative parts are very different, producing large, stout pseudobulbs, silvery white in colour. They carry two or three enormous terminal leaves which are extremely thin as they are not designed to last for long.

The season starts in the spring with the new growth; at this point the plants should be repotted. Give copious amounts of water and fertilizer throughout the summer and you will find that nothing grows as fast as a Calanthe. The pseudobulbs become fully grown in record time and on completion the flower spike, or spikes, will appear from the base. At this time the leaves deteriorate rapidly and will soon be shed. When this happens, reduce the watering and then eventually stop altogether. The older pseudobulb from which the new growth came will deteriorate but can sometimes be used for propagation. The flower spikes will continue to grow all through the autumn and winter, relying on the energy stored in the pseudobulb. The flower stems can reach 1 m (3 ft) in height with blooms ranging from white, cream with red lips, through various shades of pink to the deepest reds. Once in flower they are extremely long lasting, remaining in perfect condition for many months. This was why they were popular with the Victorians, who brought them indoors for displaying. As the plants have lost their leaves and most of their roots by then, watering is not necessary. As soon as the flowers have finished, the spikes are removed and the spring growth is ready to commence.

One hundred years ago, when calanthes were at their most popular, there were many varieties. Hybridization had increased and the selection was large. These orchids then went out of fashion, but a few plants lingered on in private collections until the 1980s, when a renewed interest led to further hybridizing. The result is that today we have a larger range of shapes and sizes than ever before, and those with the necessary space will find them most rewarding to grow.