With literally thousands of orchid types to choose from, how can you pick the one that’s right for you?
Above all, the most important thing to consider is how well your new plant is going to adapt to the environment you’re able to give it.
To help you in choosing a plant that’s especially well-suited to YOU, here’s a “Top 10″ rundown of the most popular types of orchids.
Cattleya: Cattleya orchids are perfect for you if you’ll be growing them in areas with a lot of natural light such as the Midwestern United States or Central or South America. These plants reward their orchid growers with an extravagant display of colorful blooms. They seem to be sending back out the very sun they soak up.
Phalaenopsis: Phalaenopsis orchids, or “moth orchids”, are ever popular among beginner growers because they’re one of the most resilient and sturdy orchid types out there. They can survive many of the inevitable beginner’s mistakes that would kill less hearty plants, and their blossoms put on a great show to boot.
Vandas: Vandas are one of those orchid types that does best in a hanging basket rather than a closed-in pot. While all orchids like to have sufficient aeration around their roots, these types absolutely crave it.
Dendrobiums: Dendrobiums are popular because they’re relatively easy to care for, and also come in a huge variety of shapes and colors. A good “all-purpose” orchid, dendrobiums can produce some of the most impressive blossoms of any orchid with relatively minimal maintenance.
Paphiopedilum: Paphiopedilum orchids are quite interesting. They tend to produce only a single blossom per plant, but the blossom is of such elegance and vibrancy that you have to see it to believe it! This unique quality makes the paphiopedilum a very popular orchid type.
Oncidiums: Oncidiums are one of the most diverse orchid types. They come in more than a thousand different variations of shapes, sizes, and colors. If you can support the environmental needs of an oncidium (ask your orchid supplier for the exact requirements depending on type), then you can certainly find a style that matches your desires.
Miltonia: Miltonias are orchids that reward you with a warm and pleasant fragrance in addition to the visual splendor of the flower. While all orchids have some kind of scent, the scent is the focus with Miltonias. This makes them perfect for indoor growing!
Phragmipedium: Phragmipedium orchids are interesting in that they are one of the few orchids to produce vibrant flowers in an intermediate environment. You see, normally it is the extremes of climate that produce the most interesting colors. But this type of orchid is great for you if you have a temperate and mild climate but desire bright blossoms.
Odontoglossum: Odontoglossums are recommended for you if you’re going to do your growing in an orchid greenhouse. While these plants are relatively easy to care for and produce massive beautiful blooms, they just simply require too much heat and humidity to thrive indoors. Treat them right!
Cymbidium: Cymbidium orchids always put on a show whether or not they’re in bloom thanks to their long thin leaves. These leaves, which sometimes reach up to four feet in length, can provide a stunning cascade effect that makes this orchid type very popular indeed.
Now after evaluating your environment and what you can provide, use this handy list of orchid types to choose your next orchid plant.
And to discover even more about the most popular orchids, download my totally FREE 5-Day Orchid Insider training course by going here: Orchid Care.
My wife is a big fan of the Cymbidium and after all these years of having one. I have to say that I have become a big fan as well. I really had no idea there were so many kinds of orchids, but I know my will be interested.
Miltonia is my very favorite and the smell is so wonderful. Our Miltonia is in our kitchen and it really smells great. I will have to check out these other ones as well.
Yes! cattleya and Phal are my favorites and they rank 1 & 2. yehheeeyyy!
Thank you for the information, but for us
amatures, it would be most helpful if you
would supply pictures, as it would make identification very much easier
Alan
That’s a great suggestion.
Thanks, Alan. We are working on updating this article.
Vanda and cattleya are my no.1 they rank no.1 all the way.
Since I live in a tropical area(Suriname-Northern part of South America) I like Dendrobium and Vanda cultivars the most. They doing very well outdoors.But with much more care the Phal is doing well also.
Thank you for this page!
Have phalaenopsis orchids, dendrobium, odontoglossum and the newest is miltonia. They are really beautiful, when bloom. Giive them love and patience, they are worth of it
Thanks, Monika! Come back and let us know how things are going. – Mary Ann
They are all absolutely stunning & beautiful plants. I’ve only three but am definitely hooked, & my husband as well.
Yes, they are quite addicting!
– Mary Ann
Do anyone ever give orchid plant as a gift?
Sure – you can give orchids as gifts for any occasion!
We’ve done a few posts about ideas for giving orchids as gifts. Here’s one of those orchid gift posts. Thanks! – Mary Ann
I have been the fan of orchids for years but none of them survived within a year. This year, I have bought a few different species of orchids but i have trouble keeping my orchids alive and blooming. Thank you for the information and I found your side is neat and has good information. Thank you.
Hi Ivy, Don’t give up! It takes some time to get a feel for growing orchids in your environment. Keep reading and learning and growing! The reward will be worth it. – Mary Ann
A very nice website! Completely accidentally bought a gift Miltonia – fantastically beautiful! Fell in love instantly
. I myself have Cambria – love. Or to learn more about this “treasure”. Thank you very much!
Ilze from Latvia.
Thank you so much.
Miltonias are wonderful. Please let us know how you are doing, and I hope you will continue to learn and have your orchids flourish. – Mary Ann
hello.may you tell me growing which type of orchids is easy and suitable for our country.it is hot and dry in summer and cold in winter.thanks a lot.
Hi, Thanks for your question. Intermediate orchids would be a good match for you. They will tolerate both lower and higher temperatures, but if it gets below 60 deg, or above 85, then the plant growth will slow down. Many cattleyas and miltonias will do nicely for you. I wish you the best! Thanks again! – Mary Ann
BE AWARE – I bought my first orchid 2 years ago, now I have 21 different orchids – I AM ADDICTED