Orchids
If you've never grown an orchid, buy a Phalaenopsis (moth orchid). It blooms for 2 to 3 months, handles normal home light and humidity, and reblooms every year with very little effort. Once you're comfortable, Dendrobium, Oncidium and Cattleya add fragrance and more colors, but they need brighter light. You'll find potted and bare-root plants here, plus Vanda, slipper orchids and vanilla orchid vines.
Shop by type
How to choose an orchid
- East or shaded window: Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum (slipper orchids) do well in medium light.
- Bright south or west window: Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium and vanilla need several hours of bright light to bloom.
- High light and humidity: Vanda grows bare-root in hanging baskets and wants daily watering. It suits greenhouses and humid climates best.
- Potted vs bare-root: a bare-root orchid ships lighter and cheaper, but you'll pot it on arrival in bark or sphagnum.
Orchid care by type
| Orchid | Light | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phalaenopsis | Medium, no direct midday sun | About weekly, when bark is nearly dry | Easy |
| Paphiopedilum | Low to medium | Keep lightly moist | Easy |
| Oncidium | Bright | Every 5 to 7 days | Moderate |
| Dendrobium | Bright | Weekly; some types need a dry winter rest | Moderate |
| Cattleya | Bright, some direct sun | Let dry between waterings | Moderate |
| Vanda | Very bright | Daily, mounted or bare-root | Advanced |
What to skip
- The "three ice cubes a week" trick. Water thoroughly at the sink and let it drain. Small amounts leave dry pockets and build up salt.
- Regular potting soil. Orchids are epiphytes, and their roots suffocate in soil. Use orchid bark or sphagnum moss.
FAQ
How do I get my orchid to bloom again?
For Phalaenopsis, give it a few weeks of nights about 10°F cooler than days in fall. That temperature drop triggers a new flower spike.
How often should I water an orchid?
About once a week for Phalaenopsis in bark. Water when the roots turn silvery and the pot feels light, not on a fixed schedule.
Should I cut the flower spike after blooming?
On Phalaenopsis, you can cut above a node for a smaller second bloom, or cut at the base to let the plant rest. Either is fine.
What does bare-root orchid mean?
It ships without pot or media to save weight. Soak the roots for 15 minutes and pot it in fresh orchid bark the day it arrives.
Related collections
Carnivorous Plants · Monstera Plants · Humidifiers · Humidity and Climate Control
