25 Types of Orchids to Use as Houseplants

Aerangis Orchids

As is true of most tropical orchids, successfully growing Aerangis orchids depends on maintaining a proper balance of required elements. They need a well-aerated environment, lots of sunlight, and lots of moisture (humidity) in the air. They should be fed regularly for good bloom results.

• Name: Aerangis orchids
• Native Area: Tropical Africa, Madagascar
• Height: 6–24 inches, varies by species
• Light: Part sun, bright filtered light
• Water: Water with room temperature water and allow the plant to dry out slightly after flowering
• Temperature: 70 to 75 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night
  

Ascocenda Orchids

Ascocenda orchids are a hybrid of Vanda and Ascocentrum orchids. This compact plant with its jewel-like flowers has a single upward-growing main stem and can easily be grown indoors.

• Name: Ascocenda orchids
• Native Area: Asian tropics
• Height: Varies by species
• Light: Strong bright light
• Water: Once every five to seven days, as the soil begins to dry
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Brassavola Orchids

Brassavola orchids have white or greenish flowers with narrow petals and are exceptionally fragrant, especially in the evening when their perfume is released. Moths depend on the white flowers for pollination.

There are at least 20 species within the Brassavola genus, of which B. nodosa commonly called 'Lady of the Night' is one of the easiest to grow, especially for beginners.

• Name: Brassavola orchids
• Native Area: Central and South America, West Indies
• Height: Depends on the species
• Light: Bright light
• Water: Keep well watered, but allow plenty of drainage; does best in high-humidity (40 to 70 percent) environments
• Temperature: 70 to 75 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Brassia Orchids

Commonly called the spider orchid due to the long, bizarre shapes of its sepals, which spread out like a spider’s legs, these orchids prefer conditions with extreme humidity and lots of warmth to help them flourish. Brassia blooms can be spotted, bright orange, red, or many other vivid shades.

• Name: Spider orchids (Brassia)
• Native Area: Mexico, South America
• Height: Depends on the species
• Light: Bright indoor lighting
• Water: Weekly, when the soil feels very dry
• Temperature: Can tolerate cool temps but keep above 50 degrees

Catasetum Orchid

The species within the Catasetum genus are known for their unusual waxy flowers. The plant produces male or female flowers, which bear little resemblance to each other. The male flowers have an anatomical trigger that forcefully ejects pollen onto visiting bees. This deciduous orchid loses its leaves naturally during winter dormancy.

• Name: Catasetum orchids
• Native Area: Central America and Northern South America
• Height: Depends on the species
• Light: Bright diffused indoor light
• Water: Two to three times per week while bulbs are forming. Reduce watering after plants flower, then stop altogether when leaves fall off and the plant goes dormant.
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Cattleya Orchid

Cattleya orchids have been widely hybridized leading to a large variety of colors and forms. Many Cattleya orchids have appealing freckles, streaks, or other bicolor features. Some varieties are quite fragrant, and they are the most popular corsage orchid.

• Name: Corsage orchids, queen of orchids (Cattleya)
• Native Area: Central and South America
• Height: 3 inches to 2 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Bright indoor light
• Water: About once a week, when the soil feels very dry
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Cymbidium Orchid

Cymbidium orchids, commonly known as boat orchids, have multiple flower spikes to ensure a satisfying display. Good choices for beginners include the lime green 'Chica', the yellow and red 'Showoff', or the bright pink 'Frae', all recipients of the American Orchid Society’s Highly Commended Certificate.

• Name: Boat orchids (Cymbidium)
• Native Area: Tropical and subtropical Asia and Australia
• Height: 1 to 4 feet
• Light: Bright diffused indoor light
• Water: Keep moist at all times. In the spring, water frequently and heavily
• Temperature: Best outdoors, where fall temperatures drop below 60 degrees, not frost tolerant, bring indoors if temperatures reach 35 degrees or colder

Dendrobium Orchids

The top-heavy blooms of Dendrobium orchids often require staking. With more than 2,000 species included in this large orchid genus, the Dendrobium orchids defy easy categorization. The most common varieties feature white, yellow, or purple blooms.

• Name: Dendrobium orchids
• Native Area: Asia, Australia, Pacific islands
• Height: 6 inches to 4 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Bright diffused indoor light
• Water: Every few days from spring to fall, and during flowering, then once a week after that.
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Encyclia Orchids

Encyclia orchids, also called cockleshell orchids, thrive when planted on an orchid mount to simulate the epiphytic growing conditions of the wild. Some horticulturists say this orchid looks like an octopus because of its dangling petals and sepals. Although not fragrant, it can bloom for several consecutive months.

• Name: Cockleshell orchids (Encyclia)
• Native Area: Florida, Mexico, Caribbean
• Height: 3 inches to 2 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Medium to bright diffused indoor light
• Water: Allow roots to dry out between watering, one to two times per week
• Temperature: Cool to warm depending on the species; Keep above 60 degrees for most plants

Epidendrum Orchids

The Epidendrum genus is large, containing more than 1,000 pure species and many more hybrids. The flowers are petite, and the plants need very bright light to bloom and thrive. Epidendrum orchids usually need supplemental grow lights when grown indoors.

• Name: Epidendrum orchids
• Native Area: Tropical and subtropical North and South America
• Height: 6 inches to 6 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Bright diffused indoor light; supplemental artificial light is often required
• Water: Allow roots to dry completely between watering. Water more often during hot weather.
• Temperature: Can tolerate most temperatures above 50 degrees

Laelia Orchids

The Laelia genus is one of the workhorses of the orchid world and is often crossed with other species. A Laelia orchid typically blooms in the autumn or winter after their growing period stops. The two most common species, L. rubescens and L. anceps feature inflorescence ranging between 1 and 3 feet, and the flowers are usually white or pale lavender.

• Name: Laelia orchids
• Native Area: North and South America
• Height: Depends on the species
• Light: Bright indoor lighting
• Water: Water weekly, allow to dry out slightly after blooms are gone
• Temperature: Cool to intermediate to warm, depending on the species

Ludisia Orchids

Growing the ​Ludisia orchid, commonly known as the jewel orchid, is rewarding because the plants look attractive in or out of bloom. The plants bear many stems of tiny white flowers once a year and their velvety dark green leaves are equally lovely. This rare orchid genus contains only one species and is often difficult to find, but it is quite easy to grow.

• Name: Jewel orchids (Ludisia)
• Native Area: Southern and Southeast Asia
• Height: 3 to 18 inches
• Light: Bright diffused indoor light
• Water: Keep soil moist and keep the plant in a high-humidity environment
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night but don't let it get below 50 degrees

Miltonia Orchids

It is easy to see how the pansy orchid got its nickname. The blossoms have the same face-like features that give our favorite cool-weather annual so much personality. However, unlike pansies, the Miltonia orchids continue blooming from late spring into summer. There are 12 twelve epiphytic species and several naturally occurring hybrids within this genus.

• Name: Pansy orchids (Miltonia)
• Native Area: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica
• Height: 12 to 20 inches
• Light: Bright diffused indoor light
• Water: Let soil almost dry out between waterings
• Temperature: 75 to 85 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Oncidium Orchids

If your orchid resembles a dancing lady, chances are you are growing an Oncidium orchid. Oncidium 'Sharry Baby' is sometimes called the chocolate orchid for its sprays of brownish flowers with a rich cocoa scent. There are more than 300 species in this genus, most of which are epiphytic, growing on the surface of other plants and absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air.

• Name: Dancing lady orchids (Oncidium)
• Native Area: Mexico, Central and South America, West Indies 
• Height: 6 inches to 10 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Bright indirect light
• Water: Keep moist, watering up to two to three times per week in dry, warm weather
• Temperature: 70 to 85 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Commonly known as moth orchids, the species in the Phalaenopsis genus are ideal orchids for beginners. They tolerate clumsy repotting efforts, bloom on and off throughout the year, and are easy to propagate via keikis (the child plantlets that develop from a mature plant). There are about 75 recognized species within the genus and many dozens of readily available cultivars in nearly every color of the rainbow.

• Name: Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis)
• Native Area: India, China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Australia 
• Height: 1 to 3 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Indirect indoor light or a shady outdoor location in its hardiness zone
• Water: When soil becomes slightly damp, up to 2 times per week during dry periods
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Phaius Orchids

If you have a Phaius orchid in your collection, you will quickly find that these 4-foot-tall specimens do not belong on a windowsill. The leaves are large and strappy, and the many flower spikes produce purple, white, or yellow flowers. This winter bloomer also goes by the common name nun’s cap orchid. There are about 45 species within this genus; commonly grown is Phaius tancarvilleae, known as the nun’s orchid.

• Name: Swamp orchids, nun's orchids (Phaius)
• Native Area: Tropical Africa, Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands
• Height: 1 to 4 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Bright indoor light
• Water: Keep moist, watering up to two times per week in dry, warmer months
• Temperature: Above 60 degrees

Phragmipedium Orchids

If you cannot stop yourself from watering your orchids to death, Phragmipedium is the type of orchid for you. It is different from other orchids in that it thrives in wet conditions, even preferring wet feet. You can recognize these flowers by the little pouch flanked by Fu Manchu mustache petals. There are about 20 recognized species within this genus.

• Name: Slipper orchids (Phragmipedium)
• Native Area: Southwest Mexico, tropical Central, and South America
• Height: Up to 3 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Bright indoor light
• Water: Keep moist, watering up to two to three times per week, use clean water
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 55 to 65 degrees at night

Psychopsis Orchids

Psychopsis, butterfly orchids, should be more popular than they are. They are easy to grow and have fascinating flowers with burgundy and green speckled foliage. Grow these in moderate light for months of blooms. They have a good tolerance for a wide temperature range. This is a relatively small genus, with only five recognized species.

• Name: Butterfly orchids (Psychopsis)
• Native Area: Central and South America, Trinidad
• Height: 12 to 16 inches
• Light: Bright indirect light
• Water: Fully moisten when watering, allow to almost dry out between watering
• Temperature: Up to 90 degrees during the day, to 60 degrees at night, keep humidity as high as 85 percent

Rhynchostylis Orchid

Rhynchostylis orchids are not orchids for beginners. They require care and attention and can be damaged by many different factors. Too much sunlight can cause leaf-tip burn or discolorations, while poor drainage in their containers can damage the roots. Their visual appeal when hanging in an orchid basket is worth the effort.

• Name: Rhynchostylis orchids
• Native Area: Southeast Asia
• Height: Depends on the species
• Light: Bright filtered light
• Water: Daily watering if in baskets or mounted
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 55 to 65 degrees at night

Schomburgkia Orchid

Schomburgkia orchids are large plants that thrive in hot, tropical conditions. As they mature their size can become quite impressive—some of these plants grow up to 5 feet tall, bearing up to 15 flowers.

• Name: Cow horn orchids (Schomburgkia)
• Native Area: Mexico, South America
• Height: 5 to 60 inches, varies by species
• Light: Bright light
• Water: Water evenly, do not allow it to dry out
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 55 to 65 degrees at night
  

Spathoglottis Orchid

Spathoglottis is a genus of about 40 plants colloquially known as garden orchids. Spathoglottis is an easy introduction to the world of orchid cultivation for beginners.

• Name: Spathoglottis orchids
• Native Area: Southeast Asia, India
• Height: Depends on the species
• Light: Bright light (but some species can grow in full sun)
• Water: Maintain even moisture and high humidity. Constant air movement is also important.
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 55 to 65 degrees at night

Trichocentrum Orchid

Considered to be among the most beautiful of all orchid species, Trichocentrum orchids, also known as mule ear orchids, are epiphytes with large leaves—up to 24 inches long. T. undulatum, common to South Florida, grows yellow flowers, and T. tigrinum is perhaps the most beautiful species in the genus; its flowers are large and mixed purple and white. This is also one of the easier species in the genus to cultivate. 

• Name: Mule ear orchids (Trichocentrum)
• Native Area: Southern North America, South America
• Height: Depends on the species
• Light: Bright indoor light
• Water: Weekly watering during the warmer part of the year, sharply reduced watering during the cooler part of the year; Humidity intermediate to high
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 55 to 65 degrees at night

Vanda Orchid

The Vanda genus includes about 80 recognized species known for their showy, fragrant, long-lasting flowers. You will often see them growing in orchid baskets; otherwise, you must use a chunky growing medium for these plants. These orchids are picky about their environment and demand high light and humidity.

• Name: Vanda orchids
• Native Area: East and Southeast Asia
• Height: 1 to 3 feet, depending on the species
• Light: Bright indoor light
• Water: Once every week as the soil begins to dry
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees during the day, 60 to 65 degrees at night

Vanilla Bean Orchid

The vanilla bean orchid (V. planifolia) produces seed pods that are the source of natural vanilla flavoring used widely in desserts and beverages. Growing this vining orchid requires carefully controlled conditions and must be pollinated by hand to produce seeds. This plant likes high humidity and moisture, does not like to dry out, and requires regular fertilizing. This high-maintenance plant can be difficult for beginners to grow though it is beautiful when you succeed.

• Name: Vanilla bean orchid (V. planifolia)
• Native Area: North America, Caribbean, Central America
• Height: 8 to 10 feet long 
• Light: Bright indoor light
• Water: Keep soil moist and keep the plant in a high-humidity environment
• Temperature: 80 to 95 degrees during the day, 60 to 70 degrees at night

Zygopetalum Orchid

Healthy Zygopetalum  (Zygopetalum spp.) orchids produce fragrant blooms ranging from chocolaty to spicy and peppery to floral almost constantly from fall to spring. With proper care, these sturdy orchids will bloom up to four times a year for three to four weeks.

Flowers are 2 to 4 inches wide and come in shades of purple, burgundy, green, and white with spotted and patterned petals and lips. Some hybrids will produce flowers with shades of blue, a color considered rare for orchids.

• Name: Zygopetalum orchids
• Native Area: South America (mainly Brazil)
• Height: Up to 2 feet
• Light: Bright diffused indoor light
• Water: Keep fairly moist, watering up to two to three times per week during warm, dry weather
• Temperature: 70 to 75 degrees during the day, around 60 degrees at night