Brassavola nodosa (Lady of the Night) is a medium-sized epiphytic or lithophytic orchid species boasting extremely fragrant flowers throughout the year. The blossoms, 4 in. across (10 cm), emit a citrus fragrance at night. Each flower features long, slender, pale green or creamy-white sepals and petals, and a large, heart-shaped lip sometimes adorned with purple or dark red spotting. The flowers are borne on a bracteate inflorescence that arises on a newly maturing pseudobulb that carries up to 6 flowers. Native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela, Brassavola nodosa is a hot-growing orchid species found in low-lying coastal regions, below 1650 ft. (500 m), as growing on trees in lowland rainforests and mangrove swamps or on rocks and cliffs near the coast. Brassavola nodosa is a very easy orchid to grow, adapting to a wide range of conditions in cultivation.

Ludisia discolor (Jewel Orchid) is a small-sized, terrestrial or lithophytic orchid species known more for its beautiful foliage than its flowers. Its creeping rhizome produces bronze to olive-black to deep red velvet-like leaves, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), with attractive red or gold venation. In spring, small white flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with yellow anthers are borne on 6-12 in. flower spikes (15-30 cm). They bloom for 2-3 weeks. The beautiful leaves and many several-flowered inflorescences can be a memorable sight. Native to China, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia, Ludisia discolor is a hot to warm growing orchid species found in damp places in shade forests at elevations of 1650-3300 ft. (500-1000 m). Easy to grow, it thrives on standard houseplant care, much like African violets. Ludisia discolor is the only species of the genus.

Phaius tankervilleae (Nun's Orchid) is a fairly large, terrestrial orchid species boasting multiple flower spikes densely packed with up to 10-20 fragrant flowers. Blooming in late winter to early spring, the showy hooded blossoms, 5 in. across (12 cm), are rusty brown with a purplish lip. Each inflorescence opens over a period of up to six weeks, and the flowers last for about a month. Nun's Orchid produces ovoid or conical, green pseudobulbs bearing a few large, thin-texture, pleated leaves which can reach about 3 ft. (90 cm). Native to Subtropical and Tropical Asia, Nun's Orchid is a hot to cool growing orchid species found in grassland and open forest at elevations of 1100-5300 ft. (350-1600 m). Adaptable and easy to maintain, this attractive orchid is considered easier to care for than most other orchid varieties. In frost-free areas, this orchid can also be grown outdoors.

Prosthechea cochleata (Cockleshell Orchid) is a medium-sized epiphytic orchid species with long-lasting, ribbon-like flowers that resemble small octopuses. The flowers, up to 3 in. long (8 cm), feature pale-green petals and clam-shaped dark-purple lips, flushed yellowish-green and adorned with white bases deeply-veined purple. Blooming for 6 months starting in the spring, the unique blossoms are borne intermittently on racemose inflorescences. A mature plant produces many blossoms and can be in bloom all year long. The flattened pear-shaped pseudobulbs bear evergreen lance-shaped leaves, up to 8-14 in. long (20-35 cm). Native to Florida, Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies, Cockleshell Orchid is found in wet, broad-leaved forests at elevations of 1500-3300 ft. (450-1000 m). Easy to grow, Cockleshell Orchid is perfect for novice orchid enthusiasts. This is the national flower of Belize.

Cattleya Orchids are among the most popular and easy-to-grow orchids. Epiphytes (growing on trees) or lithophytes (growing on rocks), they grow from pseudobulbs which are food and water-storage organs. Native to Central and South America, they include about 50 species and numerous hybrids in a variety of colors. They are divided into two groups, the unifoliates, which have one leaf and large flowers, and the bifoliates, which have two leaves per stem and smaller flowers. Both types are very fragrant with showy flowers appearing on naked stems and lasting 4-8 weeks.

Among the oldest horticultural orchids in the world, Cymbidiums have been grown and revered in China for thousands of years. Prized for their incredibly decorative flower spikes, used especially as cut flowers or for corsages in the spring, they are among the most popular orchids in cultivation today.

Dendrobium is a diverse genus of more than 1000 orchid species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, the islands of the South Pacific, and Australia. These orchids are usually epiphytic (growing on trees), lithophytic (growing on rocks) and rarely terrestrial. Since the Dendrobium genus is so large and complex, the cultural requirements of these spectacular orchids will depend on their native habitat and the section of the genus to which they belong. Dendrobium orchids are not difficult to grow in the home.

Native to Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, Miltoniopsis (Pansy Orchids) is a genus of 5 species and over 2000 hybrids of epiphytic or lithophytic orchids found growing in rain forests and cloud forests at elevations between 1,650-6,500 ft. (500-2,000 m). Resembling garden pansies, smelling like roses and reblooming quickly, these beautiful orchids are enjoying increasing popularity. These orchids are not hard to grow, but when new growth begins, they need adequate care and you must make sure to give them enough water.

Native to western South America, Odontoglossum (Butterfly Orchids) is a genus of 70 species of medium to large epiphytic or lithophytic orchids found at high elevations, where cool temperatures prevail year-round. Known for their striking sprays of flowers, these orchids produce clusters of large, usually brilliantly colored flowers that last for weeks. Their colors range from pink, red, orange, and yellow, to white, often heavily marked and spotted. Many Odontoglossum orchids are very easy to grow, but some can be quite challenging.

Oncidium is an incredibly large and diverse genus of about 300 orchid species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical America. These orchids have been nicknamed the Dancing Lady Orchids because their flowers resemble a small dancer with a colorful skirt. Relatively trouble-free, these orchids are attractive plants for the home or greenhouse. They are sometimes described as difficult to grow. However, with proper care, it is possible to grow them relatively easily.

Originating in the jungles of the Far East including Indonesia, Paphiopedilum (Slipper Orchids) are semi-terrestrial orchids, growing in humus and other material on the forest floor, on cliffs in pockets of humus and occasionally in trees. Paphiopedilums are called Slipper Orchids because of their unique floral pouch. Resilient and easy to grow in the home, they are probably the easiest orchids to rebloom, or at least to keep alive.

Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids) is a genus of 60 species and several natural hybrids growing in tropical Asia to the Pacific Islands and Australia. These orchids are usually epiphytic (growing on trees), but occasionally lithophytic (growing on rocks) or terrestrial. They are among the most popular cultivated orchids and thousands of hybrids have been made throughout the years. The showy flattened flowers are generally long-lasting (4 months or more) and they come in a myriad of colors with spots and stripe combinations. Healthy plants can flower often, sometimes with a few flowers throughout the year, though the main season is late winter into spring. Moth Orchids are the easiest orchids to grow in the home.

Ranging from North Carolina to South America, Reed-Stem Epidendrums (Reed Orchids) are one of the easiest orchids to grow. With their long-lasting and brilliantly colored flowers, vigorous growth, and forgiving nature, Reed Orchids are ideal for the novice grower. Tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions, they adapt readily to almost any environment, indoors or outdoors, and reward you with a riot of colorful orchid blooms all year with minimal care.