You received an orchid as a gift and you would like to know what variety it is? Where is it from? How do you take care of it?
I will help you.
As a florist, I often find that orchids are among my customers’ favorite plants. Their vibrant colors and stunning appearance make them wonderful decorative plants.
However, questions frequently arise about how to care for them, and the differences between the varieties can be a source of confusion.
That’s why today, I’m sharing my knowledge about this topic with you, so that these amazing plants will hold no secrets for you!
With more than 25,000 varieties of orchids, this plant family is one of the most represented on Earth. As a result, you’ll find orchids with a wide range of shapes and characteristics all around the world. Among them, the most well-known and easiest to cultivate indoors are: Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Miltonia, and Vanda! These plants generally enjoy bright light and bloom for a long time, making them very delightful to have at home.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- The number of Orchid varieties found on Earth today
- Information about the phalaenopsis, the most well-known among them
- The differences between the main varieties available in stores
- Astonishing details about their natural habitats and characteristics
- Photos to help you learn how to identify them
The Orchid: A Vast and Widespread Plant Family
In order to help botanists navigate the vast diversity of life, plants are classified into families and varieties. The first classification system was proposed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. Today, the system we use is called the phylogenetic classification of living organisms and is utilized by the entire scientific community.
Thanks to the classification efforts and research conducted by numerous botanists, there are now no fewer than 25,000 varieties of orchids, categorized into over 850 genera. It is one of the most diverse plant families!
All of these orchids share a common trait: they are monocot plants, meaning they have a single leaf that emerges during germination.
👉 The plant family that is genetically closest to this one is the lily family, which includes well-known flowers such as:
- The Lily,
- The Tulip,
- May Lily of the Valley,
- The Hyacinth,
- The Daffodil…
➡️ Did you know?
When you look at certain orchids, it’s not uncommon for some of them to remind you of an insect. This is an example of natural mimicry, designed to attract other pollinating insects, particularly males, to help the plant reproduce.
👉 Do you want to learn everything in detail about caring for Orchids (light, watering, repotting, pests and diseases…)? Check out our comprehensive guide dedicated entirely to this topic!
The Phalaenopsis, The Must-Have Orchid
Originating from South East Asia (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.), this orchid variety is currently the best-selling in the world. This popularity stems not only from its stunning beauty and wide variety of patterns, but also from the fact that it is extremely easy to reproduce through tissue culture. Almost all of these orchids are produced through cloning!
Some Maintenance Tips
- Lighting: Indirect sunlight
- Temperature: 59 to 68°F. Below 59°F, the flowers may wilt.
- Watering: Once a week, with the option to soak the entire plant in water for about half an hour. Space out watering during winter if necessary, and be careful not to leave the roots submerged in water.
- Post-blooming: Cut the stem after the flowers have wilted, halfway down, above a node. A secondary flower stem will develop.
The Cymbidium
This beautiful orchid has the advantage of being very hardy and therefore easy to care for on a daily basis. It can even be placed in the garden during the summer, in a shaded and cool spot. Its lush green foliage allows it to maintain an ornamental appearance, even when not in bloom.
Some Maintenance Tips
- Exposure: Very bright, without direct sunlight
- Temperature: 50 to 75°F. This is the perfect orchid for a sundeck!
- Watering: Keep the potting mix moist, especially after the blooming period, which occurs in winter. You can reduce watering a bit in the fall.
- Remember to mist the plant, especially if the tips of the leaves start to dry out!
The Cattleya
This beautiful orchid, with its vibrant colors, hails from South America. It produces spectacular and highly fragrant flowers. Its name comes from Mr. Cattley, an orchid collector who was the first to successfully grow them in pots and induce them to bloom again.
Some Maintenance Tips
- Light: Bright light, but avoid direct sunlight. If you place it near a window, consider using a sheer curtain in the summer.
- Temperature: 64 to 72°F
- Watering: Water thoroughly every 8 to 10 days, making sure not to let water sit at the bottom of the saucer.
- To encourage it to bloom again, trim the stem above the leaves after flowering. Once you notice a new flower spike emerging, turn it towards the light and ensure the plant has enough water.
The Oncidium
Fairly easy to care for, this plant originally grows in the tropical and subtropical forests of South America. However, it adapts quite well to indoor pot cultivation. With proper care, it will reward you with an exceptional bloom that lasts for several months. Its flowers are typically yellow and orange, but there are also purple varieties, which are a bit rarer.
Some Maintenance Tips
- Light: Near a window, but not in direct sunlight.
- Temperature: 16 to 20°C (60 to 68°F). It also requires a high humidity level, between 60 and 70%!
- Watering: Water generously every two weeks (or more often in the summer) with non-calcareous water, preferably in the morning. Mist the leaves regularly.
- To bloom, it needs a temperature difference between night and day. You can place it outside between June and August, ensuring it is protected from direct sunlight.
The Dendrobium
Originally from Southeast Asia, this orchid is becoming increasingly popular in our regions. It naturally grows in humid forests or mountainous wooded areas, often at high elevations. This explains why this orchid, which resembles bamboo, is more tolerant of cold temperatures than its counterparts.
🩺 This plant is also widely used in Chinese medicine to boost the immune system and treat conditions related to dry mouth and excessive thirst.
Some Maintenance Tips
- Exposure: Very bright during its growth and blooming phases, but always protect it from direct sunlight.
- Temperature: 64 to 68°F for optimal growth, but it can survive much cooler temperatures, down to 41°F.
- Watering: Water very regularly in the summer and space out watering in the winter, especially if the plant is exposed to cold conditions.
- Blooming: Flower stalks begin to grow in spring and reach maturity in August-September. Stop fertilizing at this time.
The Zygopetalum
This orchid is quite fragrant and resembles the Cymbidium mentioned earlier. Native to South America, it grows—like many other orchids—directly on trees, which is why it has many aerial roots. You can enjoy its blooms for up to six weeks!
Some Maintenance Tips
- Lighting: Indoors, near a window, with a sheer curtain in the summer.
- Temperature: 59 to 68°F.
- Watering: Water in the morning using non-chalky water. Do not let it sit in water after watering. Mist it regularly, especially in the summer.
Miltonia Orchid
The beautiful flowers of this orchid resemble pansy flowers and are very fragrant! However, daily care for this plant can be quite delicate, especially indoors. It is sensitive to drafts, insufficient light, and direct sunlight that can scorch its leaves. They are typically grown in greenhouses, where they thrive in these controlled conditions.
Some Maintenance Tips
- Light: Very bright, out of direct sunlight.
- Temperature: 12 to 22°C (54 to 72°F).
- Watering: Water regularly, avoiding excessive moisture. Never saturate the soil. Placing the plant on a saucer filled with clay pebbles can help manage moisture levels.
The Vanda Orchid
This stunning orchid is quite resilient, but it can be somewhat challenging to get it to bloom again. You’ll often see it hanging, as it doesn’t thrive in pots, which can suffocate its roots. This method of cultivation requires very regular watering!
You can also grow it in a large glass vase, which will make a beautiful decoration for your home.
Some Maintenance Tips
- Light: This plant naturally grows in the treetops, so it prefers bright light. To keep it comfortable, you can place it near a southeast-facing window.
- Temperature: 59 to 77°F.
- Watering: Our homes, especially when heated, often don’t provide enough humidity for this beautiful plant to thrive. Here are a few options:
- Position it near an electric humidifier set to 70% humidity,
- Keep the roots in contact with a sphagnum moss mat.
The Paphiopedilum
Native to Europe and also known as the “Lady’s Slipper,” this plant from the orchid family grows in the ground. Its blooming period starts in May and ends in July, and its foliage drops off during the winter. It is sometimes referred to as the “Virgin’s Slipper” or “Our Lady’s Shoe.” In France, it is a protected species! If you encounter it in the wild, picking it is prohibited.
Some Maintenance Tips
- Exposure: Partial shade
- Watering: Regular, the soil should always be kept moist.
👉 You can keep this orchid potted indoors, but it will thrive less than if it’s planted in the ground.
Other Spectacular Orchid Varieties
The few orchids mentioned in this article are just a tiny fraction of all the species that exist on Earth. Therefore, while taking a walk in the countryside, you might easily come across a wild orchid, such as:
- Orchis Purpurea, which is characterized by its multitude of small purple flowers that bloom in a pyramid shape in the spring,
- Orchis Mascula, which leans more towards violet or fuchsia,
- Ophrys Apifera, found in dry, limestone areas and resembling the shape of a bee,
- Goat Orchid, a large orchid that can grow nearly a meter tall with a very distinctive fragrance,
- … and many more!
Ophys Apifera or “Bee Orchid” / Vanilla Orchid
➡️ Did you know?
The plant used to produce vanilla, also known as vanilla bean, is actually an orchid! It is a vine that originated in Mexico, and its fruit is the vanilla pod we all know!
I hope this article has helped you discover lots of fascinating information about orchids and assisted you in choosing which one you would like to grow, or even identify the one you were gifted.
Do you love flowers and want a stunning floral decor for your home? You’ll surely find what you’re looking for by visiting our online shop for floral decor and gifts. There’s something for everyone! 😊