Coelogyne cristata is an epiphytic orchid that comes from the cold and humid areas of Vietnam and the eastern Himalayas. Because it blooms every spring, before the snow melts, it has several popular names - such as "Snow Queen" in Scandinavia and Germany or "Angel Orchid" in Bulgaria.

A fragrant species , Coelogyne cristata has numerous peduncles that keep the fragrance inside the flower. The petals measure up to 8 cm in diameter and are white with a yellow spot on the labellum. It had the largest flowers among the species of the genus Coelogyne.

A species that is easy to maintain in the culture, shows tolerance to dryness , easily accepting neglect. It presents large, attractive , fragrant flowers.

It needs a lot of light, but not direct sun - just like the species of the Cattleya genus (20,000-40,000 lux) - but it can easily adapt to the variation of light radiation, since in the natural environment they are able to grow easily in direct sunlight.

During the summer, temperatures will be between 21 - 24 °C during the day, and in winter, during the day, the temperature range will be around 10 - 13 °C. During the summer it can be kept outside, partially in the shade, but if the temperature is too high, it will not bloom. The species can tolerate short-term frosts, but only if the substrate is dry at the time.

Accustomed to the low temperatures in the areas of origin, between the Himalayan ridges, under the auspices of the temperature and humidity changes typical of the monsoon climate, it takes advantage of the abundance of water and solar radiation during the summer, to develop a rapid growth rate, being able to reach the dimensions relatively quickly impressive and a high number of pseudobulbs - which can offer hundreds of flowers simultaneously. However, in culture, it is not recommended that the substrate dry out between waterings. During the winter, we will resort to sporadic watering, only as much as is necessary to prevent the browning of the tips of the leaves on the new growths or excessive shriveling of the pseudobulbs - although a slight shriveling should be expected. It will return to the normal watering schedule and abundant fertilization once the start of the growth of new roots will be observed.

During the flowering period, it needs plenty of water because it requires high humidity . After it blooms, watering is gradually reduced, until November when the rest period begins, after which it stops altogether. After the rest period, when the specimens resume their growth (in spring), it can be replanted in a fibrous and porous medium, such as pine bark and coal, and even Sphagnum moss mixed with coconut fiber.

It is recommended that the replanting be carried out at the moment of observing the growth of new roots, at the end of the rest period, and not before the pot is full of roots.

Multiplication is done by division and can be quite difficult.

Humidity will remain high, at approximately 70% throughout the year, and higher during active growth - but lower in the dry season, during the rest phase.

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It can be cultivated mounted on cork boards, compact bark, or in wooden boxes with a grid, if frequent watering is ensured several times a day; otherwise, it is recommended to use a fine-grained substrate, which can retain moisture, avoiding water stagnation in the culture medium. Its leaves are narrow, dark green, with a length of approximately 10-15 cm. The bulbs are the size of a walnut.