Alphabetical Plant Listing

Easy Orchids to Grow

Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidemium, Ludisia, Miltoniopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis,


Despite their reputation for being difficult, many orchids can be easily grown as houseplants. Most have been bred to be compact and easy to grow and flower on window sills and under artificial light. Without requiring much care, they can bloom every year, or even several times per year.

Orchids belong to one of the two largest plant families (Orchidaceae) that including about 900 genera and 25,000 species. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are, however, predominantly found in the tropics.

Orchids are incredibly beautiful. Aside from their beauty, some orchids exude a wonderful fragrance. Their scent can leave an impression greater than the orchid itself.

Unlike other houseplants, orchids do not grow in soil. Potting an orchid in the soil is the best way to kill it. Most orchids in the wild are epiphytic - they grow on trees, attaching themselves by thick roots to the sides of the trees or on their branches. They absorb water and nutrients from the air and rain and whatever drips down the tree. They have to survive for weeks, if not months, without rainfall, hoarding water in thick leaves, stems, and roots.

Here are some popular orchids to try. Fairly easy to grow, they are good choices for novice and experienced growers.


Nadya So/Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

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