Huilan (Cymbidium faberi) is a traditional precious orchid with rich variety, blooming in spring.

Huilan (often written as Huilan, Cymbidium faberi) is a terrestrial herbaceous plant of the genus Cymbidium in the orchid family, and an important member of China's traditional famous orchids; among the people it is also called Jiuzilan, Xialan and other names. Its leaves are slender with fine teeth along the edges, and a single flower scape often bears multiple flowers, making it look livelier than the one-stem-one-flower Chunlan (Cymbidium goeringii); its flowering period is mostly in spring, usually a little later than that of Chunlan.

Through long-term selection and breeding, Huilan has developed various petal types such as plum petal, lotus petal, narcissus petal and plain heart, and traditional famous cultivars such as Dayipin and Chengmei have been passed down for a long time. Among the leaf-variegated cultivars, Hongxiangfei is deeply loved for the red tinge on its leaves, and Taohua Xianzi is also a cultivar that draws relatively high attention among flower enthusiasts; overall its ornamental value is very high.

In terms of care, Huilan likes a cool, ventilated environment with scattered light, and dislikes stuffiness and strong direct sun. The growing medium should be loose, breathable and well-draining, commonly prepared with bark combined with granular medium; watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet, avoiding long-term water accumulation in the pot that causes root rot. During the peak growing season, fertilizer can be applied lightly and frequently; after the flowering period, promptly cut off the spent flower scapes and appropriately supplement nutrients to help the plant recover its strength.

Huilan has an upright and imposing plant shape, with a delicate and lasting floral fragrance, suitable for display in well-ventilated spots such as balconies and courtyards. The problems beginners often encounter are mostly overwatering, poor ventilation or insufficient light, which easily cause root rot and failure to bloom. As long as you get the rhythm of light, ventilation and watering right, Huilan can also be grown at home with green leaves and abundant flowers.