Orchid types explained

Asking me what types of orchids there are is like asking me what types of people there are. Well, there are tall and short people, smart people and not-so-smart people, introverts and extroverts, people with different skin colors, and people from different parts of the world. Likewise, you will find many different types of orchids—different colors, species and hybrids, miniature and standard-sized, all different genera from different parts of the world. So I will narrow the question a bit, and look at it in terms of the orchids you will likely to buy and grow.

Types of Orchids

Asking me what types of orchids there are is like asking me what types of people there are. Well, there are tall and short people, smart people and not-so-smart people, introverts and extroverts, people with different skin colors, and people from different parts of the world. Likewise, you will find many different types of orchids—different colors, species and hybrids, miniature and standard-sized, all different genera from different parts of the world. So I will narrow the question a bit, and look at it in terms of the orchids you will likely to buy and grow.

Moth Orchids

The most common type of orchid is probably the moth orchid, or the Phalaenopsis orchids. These are the plants that you can buy from a standard grocery store. Or if you happen to live close by an Asian supermarket, you will find truck-loads of the white or purplish-pink variety. Some fashion/interior designers even dubbed this purplish-pink color as “orchid.” (This is ultra confusing for an orchid grower, as orchids come in a million different shades and colors, but well, these are the same people who invented colors like sour lemon and spiced mustard. It’s just all marketing!)

In the wild, Phalaenopsis are epiphytes and grow on trees in a constantly moist environment. They usually have long flower spikes and therefore look very graceful. These types of flowers have the power to add elegance to the home and brighten up a dull atmosphere, even if your boyfriend leaves his socks on the floor. Phalaenopsis are now widely grown as houseplants. Even though they usually bloom only once or twice a year, their flowers can often last for two to three months. Learn more about Phalaenopsis orchids.

Dendrobium Orchids

Another type of orchid you can grow at home is what I call the “Thai restaurant orchids.” These types of orchids are Dendrobium hybrids and can be found at Thai restaurants that decorate their tables with freshly-cut flowers. They come in many colors (white, green, purple, pink, yellow and more) and require a fairly warm environment. In fact, they could loose their leaves in the winter when the ambient temperature drops below 60°F (15°C) or so. But the “Thai restaurant orchid” is really just one small group of hybrids within the Dendrobium genus. Dendrobium is actually one of the largest orchid genera.

Antelope Type Dendropbium Orchid

Dendrobium species live as epiphytes and lithophytes in New Guinea, Southern China, Thailand, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and more. As a result, it’s hard to generalize how to care for these types of orchids. Some of them require cool nights of 50 to 59°F (10 to 15°C) while some of them require warm temperatures in the 80s°F (27°C). That’s why it’s so important to understand their natural environment so that you can make them happy. Learn more about Dendrobium orchids.

Slipper Orchids

My favorite type of orchid is the lady slipper orchid because of their strange appearance. They are like no other types of flowers and have pouch-shaped lips. The mostly terrestrial and lithophytic slipper orchids include four genera—Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Cypripedium and Selenipedium. But most Cypripedium and Selenipedium are not plants for the beginner because they can be quite difficult to grow under cultivation unless you live in temperate regions with Cypripedium growing wildly in your back yard!

Paphiopedilum Kobold’s Doll

You can readily buy Paphiopedilum at fancy grocery stores, and if you can’t find them, find a fancier store where women shop with little dogs in their bag! While these types of flowers come in girlie soft pink, eye-catching yellow, innocent white and other soft colors, many of them are dark red, brown and green with hairy and warty petals. The infamous Paphiopedilum sanderianum from Borneo has lateral sepals (the side petals) that can hang down 3 feet (1 meter) long! This highly sought-after plant can cost hundreds of dollars. But there are plenty of wonderful Paphiopedilum plants out there that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Learn more about Paphiopedilum orchids.

Boat Orchids

Here in Southern California, one orchid that grows extremely well is the boat orchid, Cymbidium. These types of orchids have been grown and depicted in drawings and poetry for more than two thousand years since the time of Confucius. They are still popular plants today because of the big, showy and long-lasting flowers. The pink, yellow, green, red, brown, peach or combination colored flowers also last superbly as cut flowers—if you change water daily and cut back the bottom of the spike, they can look pristine for a month or two in the vase.

Pink Cymbidium Orchid

Speaking of cut Cymbidium flowers, my friend has several outdoor Cymbidium and the once-a-year flowering always brought her lots of joy and pride. It’s like an annual EXPLOSION of flowers that fills her whole back yard! Right before the prom, their teenage neighbor forgot to get his date some flowers, and for some reason, he thought it was okay to make a bouquet out of these Cymbidium flowers without any permission. She was so upset about the loss that the thoughtless boy had to make up the mistake by working in her garden for the rest of the year. The moral of the story? If you decide to steal someone’s orchids, you’d better not get caught! Learn more about Cymbidium orchids.

I can go on and on about other types of orchids, but I would probably go a little crazy by the time I am done going through the 700 or so genera, more than 25,000 orchid species and more than 100,000 hybrids. However, there are a lot of fascinating orchids you really should not miss, so visit my other pages to learn more about those orchids.

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Orchid types explained

Confused by the different orchid types? Read our guide to the most common types of orchid that you’re likely to find for sale.

Orchids make great houseplants – their exotic-looking flowers, in a huge range of colours, can last for several months. Some even have a lovely scent. Cared for correctly, they can last for many years.

Orchids hail from many different parts of the world, from the tropics to the Andes. For this reason they different care requirements, so always check the label and care instructions for your particular type.

Orchids can be divided into three groups according to the temperatures they thrive in – cool, intermediate and warm.

Cool-growing orchids include Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Odontoglossum and Miltoniopsis. They enjoy temperatures between16°C- 21°C (60°F -70°F) in summer and no less than 10°C (50°F) in winter.

Intermediate-growing orchids include Cattleya, Cambria, Paphiopedalum and Oncidium. They like temperatures of between18°C-24°C (65°F-75°F).

Warm-growing orchids include Phalaenopsis and Vanda. They like temperatures of between 21-29°C (70°F-85°F) in summer and no less than 18°C (60°F) in winter – making them a good choice for centrally heated homes.

More on growing orchids:

You’ll also find other types of orchid, including those listed below.

Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis, are widely found in garden centres and supermarkets. They come in a wide range of colours and are easy to grow. Grow in a special bark medium rather than compost, in a spot that has bright, filtered light to thrive. They like humidity – for best results, grow in a light, humid kitchen or bathroom.

Dendrobium

Dendrobiums require cooler growing conditions and a less humid environment than moth orchids. Reduce watering in autumn, and move plants to a bright windowsill or porch, where they can remain cool and dry until spring. Then, when temperatures start to increase again, increase watering and bring indoors.

Cymbidium

Cymbidium orchids are easy to grow. Their pretty flowers, in a range of colours, appear from late winter to early spring. Cymbidiums prefer cool growing conditions. To flower well they need a distinct drop in temperature between day and night from mid- to late summer.

Cattleya

Cattleyas have bright, showy blooms that reach up to 20cm across, which can appear in autumn or spring. Plants produce ‘pseudobulbs’ topped with one or two fleshy leaves. They like a temperature of around 18-20°C (64-68°F), not dropping below 13°C (55°F) at night.

Ascocenda

Ascocendas are the result of a cross between a Vanda orchid and an Ascocentrum. They combine the large flowers of the Vanda and the compact growth of the Ascocentrum. The brightly coloured flowers can appear three times a year. They enjoy warmth in winter and plenty of humidity.

Vanda

Vandas produce large, beautiful flowers, usually between spring and autumn. They hail from tropical climes, so they love high temperatures and high humidity. They are often grown in slatted baskets or glass vases with little to no potting medium. Unlike most other orchids, they enjoy a sunny spot.

Cypripedium

Also known as lady’s slipper, cypripediums have a huge flower pouch (actually fused flower petals) and long, often twisting sepals. They’re easy to grow in good multipurpose compost. Give them plenty of water during the flowering season. Many species are hardy and can be grown outside.

Odontoglossum

The intricate veins and spots on the flowers mean that odontoglossums are often called ‘butterfly’ orchids. Unlike most orchids, they do well in low light levels, such as a north facing windowsill. They hail from the Andes and like cool, fresh, airy conditions.

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Cambria

Cambria orchids are more precisely called Vuylstekeara, a hybrid of Odontoglossum, Miltonia and Cochlioda orchids. They are widely available in garden centres and supermarkets. They like similar conditions to Odonoglossum but will tolerate a wide temperature range.

Oncidium

Oncidium orchids are sometimes known as dancing ladies and usually flower in autumn. The hybrids that you’re most likely to see in shops are the easiest to grow – they like temperatures on the cool side. They will appreciate a spell outside in summer.

Miltonia

Miltonia or pansy orchids are often found on sale at garden centres, and are often actually Miltoniopsis hybrids. These compact plants have large flowers with a distinctive ‘mask’ or ‘face’, as pansies do. They like cooler temperatures but are forgiving of temperature fluctuations.

Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum are known as slipper orchids, thanks to the pouch-shaped lip of the flower, used to attract pollinators in the wild. They usually flower from November to March. They like humidity and moderate temperatures – between 10-25°C (50-77°F). Move to a cool, bright spot in winter.

Orchid growing tips

• Grow in bright light, but away from direct sunlight
• Don’t overwater – this is a common mistake. Wait until the roots look silvery and do not allow the pot to stand in water
• Most orchids enjoy humidity – stand on a tray of moist pebbles
• Pot on every two or three years