7 Types of Orchids You Can Grow at Home (With Pictures)
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Codee Chessher
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Orchids get a bad rap for being fussy, but they are not nearly as bad as people make them seem. Orchids are some of the best plants to help add a tropical touch to your home and liven things up with their beautiful blooms. Some orchids can bloom multiple times a year, but most varieties only bloom once per year. Let’s check out some of the most popular orchids you can try to grow at home yourself.
The 7 Types of Orchids to Grow at Home
1. Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis)
| Ideal temperature: | 60°F–80°F |
| Ideal humidity level: | 50% minimum |
Moth orchids are some of the most widespread and reasonably priced orchids out there. They come in a wide range of colors, from white, orange, pink, red, pink, purple, and more. Moth orchids do well in most temperatures between 60°F and 80°F and prefer humid air. Humidity levels of 70% or higher are preferable, but anything above 50% is fine. Best of all, moth orchids are some of the longest-blooming orchids, with blooms lasting as long as 4 months out of the year.
2. Dendrobium Orchids (Dendrobium)
| Ideal temperature: | 60°F–90°F |
| Ideal humidity level: | 50% minimum |
Dendrobium orchids are some of the most diverse of all, with over a thousand individual species known. Their blooms range from white, purple, green, and pink. Dendrobiums have long-lasting blooms that hang around for a month or so, and their flowers are prized for bouquets and other floral arrangements. Some types of dendrobiums prefer cooler, temperate weather, while others prefer warmer subtropical climates. As with all orchids, these require more than 50% of humidity to stay lush and bloom.
3. Tropical Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum)
| Ideal temperature: | 50°–70°F |
| Ideal humidity level: | 50% minimum |
Also called tropical slippers, these distinctive orchids are known for their unique variegated foliage. The foliage alone makes this orchid a remarkable plant, but the blooms add another layer of beauty. Lady’s slipper does well with any level of light and only requires watering about once a week. They do like it humid, but overall, these are some of the easiest orchids to grow yourself at home. Some varieties boast multiple flowers per stem, which can give you more showy blooms.
4. Dancing Lady Orchid (Oncidium)
| Ideal temperature: | 60°F–85°F |
| Ideal humidity level: | 40%–70% |
Also known as dancing lady orchids, these small flowers come in numerous colors. Plants vary a lot in size, from large to miniature. These orchids are perfect for any indoor garden because they have a strong, pleasant fragrance. Notably, they love a lot of light and need moderate to full sun every day. They like it warm during the day and cool at night.
5. Jewel Orchids (Ludisia)
| Ideal temperature: | 70°F–80°F |
| Ideal humidity level: | 50%–60% |
Jewel orchids are prized for their lush, velvety foliage. Perhaps the most striking thing about jewel orchids is the gold or red-traced veins on the orchid’s large, burgundy-colored leaves. The best way to grow these is to soak a cutting in water, and a new plant will sprout. They’re very low maintenance and one of the most popular orchids for beginners.
6. Boat Orchids (Cymbidium)
| Ideal temperature: | 50°F–85°F |
| Ideal humidity level: | 40%–60% |
Boat orchids tend to be larger and have bigger, showier blooms than many other orchids. Cymbidium prefers warm weather during the day and can tolerate cool temperatures down to 50°F. For this reason, they’re recommended for cool climates where other orchids may not grow. They do best with a lot of light, however.
7. Cattleya Orchids (Cattleya)
| Ideal temperature: | 65°F–80°F |
| Ideal humidity level: | 40%–70% |
Widely known as a corsage flower, Cattleya orchids are beautiful indoor plants as well. Most people probably think of the creamy white and purple flowers, but they come in red, pink, and yellow as well. Cattleya orchids don’t need as much sun as other orchids, but they do prefer warm temperatures. Giving them more sunlight will help the plant to bloom twice per year.
Conclusion
Orchids are some of the most exotic plants you can grow at home with minimal hassle. Most prefer warm weather and high humidity, but a few orchids can tolerate remarkably cold temperatures. Generally, though, orchids need a lot of sunlight to bloom well. Try to grow one of these at home yourself today!
Featured Image Credit: Jeffrey Hamilton, Unsplash
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