Which Orchid Plants Are Easy to Grow? Tips for Choosing Orchid Types and Genera for Beginners

All identified organisms have been designated a scientific name. This is a two-part Latinized name that helps everyone speak the same language when identifying living things. Orchids are no different. When you look at the labels on orchids the first name, the genus (plural genera), will be capitalized, and followed by second name in lower case.

If the plant is a hybrid you might see two names with an “X” between the name of each parent plant. To make things more complex, there may also be third name for the variety of orchid. Orchids are so often cross-bred to create new types, a multitude of different varieties exist within each species.

As a novice to the world of orchids, you only need to concern yourself with the name of the genus. Most plants within the same genus will require similar growing conditions, so if you want to keep things simple, don’t worry about the species or variety at this point.

Orchid Genera For the Novice

Novice orchid growers should start with members of the following genera, since these are relatively easy to grow orchids: Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium, and Oncidium.

Phalaenopsis, or Moth Orchids, are one of the easiest orchids for beginners to grow, as well as one that is commonly found in stores. Members of this genus have multiple large, showy flowers on each spike; flowers that may remain open for six weeks or longer. Often when a spike is cut after its blooms are gone, a secondary spike will develop on the old stalk below the original flower head, thus extending the blooming season.

Paphiopedilum, the so-called Venus Slipper orchid, is easily recognizable. Most have a single flower per stalk, but there are varieties with multiple flowers. They are relatively easy to coax into bloom if you provide the plant with the right temperature range: mottled leaves need warmer conditions than do solid green leaves.

Dendrobium inflorescences are loaded with blossoms and are also long lasting. These plants can often be split when mature, since small additional offset plantlets are frequently produced. When an offset has produced several aerial roots, it can be cut from the parent plant and will frequently flower after one year of growth.

Oncidiums, commonly referred to as the "dancing girls" orchid, are also easy to grow. Since this is a large genus with different species originating in a wide variety of climates, it is helpful to know the growing requirements of the particular species you select. Still, these hardy plants generally flower well even under adverse growing conditions.

Orchid Care

If you are an orchid novice, start things off right bypurchasing a healthy orchidand a variety of orchid that is easy to grow. Orchids have specific needs for humidity, temperature, air movement, growing medium and water. But don’t get overwhelmed, see the Suite101 Orchid Article Series for all the basics.

Orchids are generally very forgiving and it’s not difficult to keep them alive long enough to stumble upon the perfect combination that will reward you with a breathtaking floral display. However, don't lose heart of you aren't successful in maintaining your first orchid, the long-lasting blooms make every flowering orchid an economical, even if temporary, orchid bouquet. You can't lose.

Additional Gardening Information

You can also supplement your knowledge with one of the many excellent articles, books and web sites devoted to these amazing plants, including: American Orchid Society (AOS), Ortho Books: All About Growing Orchids and the Beginners Guide to Orchids by Geoffrey Hands. To learn more about container gardening in general, see the Suite101 article Container or Backyard Gardening.

Feb 12, 2009 9:35 AM

Guest :

I keep my orchids outside and I live in Florida. They get a lot of sun, and the humidity factor is pretty high most of the year. The sun does damage the leaves but it doesn't seem to affect the flowering capacity of the plant itself. I try to keep them where they only get direct sun half of the day. If I had shade, I would utilize it, but I'm a condo dweller and I have to work with what I have. I found that wiring baskets of them to a movable cart is good, then I can push them indoors if it gets really cold in the winter or it's hurricane watch with high winds, etc. As far as watering them, I do it often enough to keep the aerial roots greenish in color. When they turn all white, I figure the plant is too dry and I drench them. I try to keep water off the flowers, because they get rained on enough! I guess my whole message is that it's not hard to grow these pretty things. They tolerate far more adversity than one is lead to believe. They always have done far better outside, in spite of the harsh, burning sunlight in my area. I have a wild orchid that originated in a friend's tree, all by itself, and she gave me a cutting. Now I have multiple plants of it. I just break off a stem, put it in another pot and before long, it takes over. It even roots directly into the ground and will spread all over there, too. Unfortunately, I don't know it's name. It makes tiny orange flowers most of the year. It's really bushy and wild looking, with millions of roots sticking out, not a pretty plant, but hey, it's an orchid, and a natural one, at that. It's 10 times more robust than the store bought ones. What surprises me, is that orchids live so incredibly long. I've had one over 10 years, and the plant itself looks a little bedraggled most of the year, but it faithfully rewards me with multiple stems of gorgeous purple flowers every year on my birthday. Last year, it bloomed twice! So, regardless of where you live, go ahead and try to grow these beautiful things. The good part is, if you think it's dying, just try something different and it will come back. I thought one was totally gone because all the leaves fell off and it looked dead. But, I kept the roots in the medium and new leaves grew a year later! Don't ever give up on them. A tip, if you can find a place that supplies florist, they often sell off imperfect orchids for as low as $4-$6. Orchids rule!

Which Orchid Plants Are Easy to Grow?

Tips for Choosing Orchid Types and Genera for Beginners

Orchid Nomenclature

Orchid Genera For the Novice

Orchid Care

Additional Gardening Information