Which Type of Orchid Do You Have? Common Types and Care Differences

The orchid family, Orchidaceae, contains over 26,000 species of diverse plant types commonly called orchids. You can find them thriving on most continents, in soil, on trees, or on bare rocks. You’ll also find them in gardens and homes globally. Most species grow in the tropical forests of Earth, while some live in cool meadows and forests. Because of their diverse habitats, each species and variety has its own care routine. 

This largely depends on the type of soil they grow on and their hardiness. Most sold in nurseries are epiphytic, meaning they thrive on other plants in the wild. Others are terrestrial or even lithophytic, meaning they grow on rocks. If you’re just getting started with orchid care, don’t worry! Simply choose a beginner-friendly type you want to grow and give it a go. There are plenty of resources for orchid care online. 

When you buy orchids, it’s important to identify which types you have so you can give them what they need to flourish. Below are the common orchid types and care differences so you can enjoy stunning blooms this season.

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Vandas

Vanda orchids need a little more care and attention to grow strong. However, they’re some of my favorites and are worth learning how to grow. They have brightly colored petals and can live for over 20 years! 

They grow as monopodial plants, which means they grow upward from a central rhizome. This gives them beautiful ladder-type foliage and vertical growth. Their roots will shoot out to support them and add to their alien-like look. These stunning flowers will give you multiple blooms a year. 

Most vanda orchids you’ll find are epiphytic, meaning they grow on trees. Because of this, their roots have to be exposed to the air. They can grow from wood or wood chips or even directly in baskets. They need bright, indirect light to thrive. 

Soak their roots in water twice a week if they don’t have a potting medium. Otherwise, give their roots a good watering once per week. Keep your vandas in a humid space, with humidity over 80%. Warm, well-lit bathrooms or greenhouses work great for this general. 

Ludisias

Ludisias, or jewels, are from tropical Asia. They grow terrestrial orchids, meaning they grow on the ground in their native habitat. This means they need a potting soil to grow. 

You can identify jewel orchids by their tall and thin stems, small white flowers, and deep red and dark green foliage with white or light green lines. The plant grows horizontally, also known as sympodial growth. In its native habitat, you’ll find these short groundcovers spreading across the forest floor. 

These small and colorful orchids are one of the easiest jewel orchids to grow indoors. They need indirect sunlight and consistent moisture. Water them once a week and grow them in a terrestrial orchid potting mix of equal parts perlite, peat moss, and potting soil. 

Like many orchids, ludisias need plenty of humidity. Keep them in a humid room or bathroom with humidity around 50-70%. If you live in a dry space, consider getting a humidifier for these adorable houseplants. 

Miltonias

Miltonias produces some of the best-smelling flowers in the orchid world. Some smell like roses or inviting perfumes. Their floral and colorful flowers will fill your indoor spaces with their cosmic star-shaped blooms. 

As far as orchid care goes, miltonias are incredibly easy compared to other types! They follow similar care guidelines to popular oncindiums and phalaenopsis. They are epiphytic, meaning their roots are exposed to draw in moisture and nutrients from the air. 

Grow miltonias in special orchid pots, wooden baskets, or ceramic orchid pots with orchid bark. Give them bright, indirect light, over 70% humidity, and a consistent watering schedule of once per week. Feed them frequently with a balanced organic orchid food and you should have aromatic and colorful blooms in no time. 

Oncidiums

There are over 300 species of oncidium orchids and possibly even more. You can identify them by their five narrow petals and colorful labellum, which is a multi-colored and sometimes gaudy plant tissue the plants use to attract pollinators. This is an epiphytic species.

Oncidium orchids need a lot more sunlight than other types. Grow them near a bright, sunny window, and they’ll be happy. If it gets too much light, its foliage will appear reddish and burnt. 

Water them frequently by immersing them in water or spraying their roots. Wait until the medium is dry before watering again. These orchids thrive in the typical humidity levels of most homes, between 40% and 70%. Feed them a balanced orchid fertilizer once per week in their growing season and they should grow happily. 

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis are some of the most common orchids you can find. You’ll be happy with the flowers and foliage they produce. Each flower has three bright sepals, two petals, and an ornamental labellum with a striking color pattern. 

There are around 70 species and several hybrids to choose from. They produce big, bright, and hardy flowers that grow from a monopodial vertical stem. They are epiphytic and grow well on tree or orchid bark.

Keep their roots exposed to the air and growing on orchid bark. They prefer bright, indirect light, with humidity between 55% and 75%. Water them thoroughly once per week and increase slightly just before the plants are about to bloom. 

Draculas

Like their name, Dracula orchids strike fear in the hearts of some gardeners. Well, maybe not fear, but they are fussy and a little intimidating. But don’t let that stop you from trying these amazing houseplants!

If you identify the types of orchids you have to be Draculas, you’ll be pleasantly pleased, especially when they start blooming. These epiphytes grow horizontally as sympodial ground covers. They bloom with single, almost primal-looking flowers with multi-colored patterns and designs. It typically has three sepals, which form a deep trichome cup with sometimes pointy ends. 

They require consistent water and prefer to grow in a moist potting medium that has a lot of sphagnum moss. Like the vampire they’re named after, they prefer to hide in the shade, with no direct sun exposure. Their ideal temperature range is between 60 and 80°F (16-27°C) with 70-80% humidity. Fertilize your plants with a balanced fertilizer once every one to two weeks during active growth. 

Cattleyas

Cattleyas produce some of the most sought-after and romantic blooms of any orchid types. They have deep purple to pink ruffled petals and a soft fragrance that takes you to the tropics. These flowers are often called ‘queen orchids’ given their regal appearance and impressive fragrance. 

They are native to Central and South America and come in over 50 species. They come in unifoliate and bifoliate varieties. Unifoliates have only one leaf and flower per pseudobulb, while bifoliates have two. Both types produce big and colorful flowers consisting of three sepals. 

These tropical flowers are slow growers, taking upwards of seven years to reach maturity. As epiphytic plants, they thrive on orchid potting mixes that won’t absorb and retain moisture. Water them once per week and let their medium dry out completely between waterings. 

These fragrant and beautiful flowers thrive in temperatures between 70 and 80°F (21-27°C) during the day and 60 to 65°F (16-18°C) at night. They prefer humidity levels between 50% and 80%. Like other orchids, feed them with a balanced organic fertilizer diluted with water once per week or two during active growth. During blooming, you can increase to once per week. 

Calanthes

Calanthes are sometimes called ‘Christmas orchids’ because of their winter blooms. They are from subtropical Asia and have over 200 species in their genus. Their flowers grow from multiple stems, making them big and productive bloomers. 

These orchids are some of the easiest types for novice gardeners. They can handle a little cold and grow in standard loamy potting soil that’s rich in nutrients and well-draining. They prefer bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight. 

Keep them watered consistently without over-watering. Feed them once every week or two with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half-strength during active growth. After they bloom, use clean pruners or sheers and deadhead them. This will encourage new blooms. 

Epidendrums

Epidendrums are a massive genera of orchids, with around 1,000 or more species. Most are hardy and easy to grow, making them the perfect genera for novice gardeners. They form clusters of small, colorful flowers made up of two upper petals and three sepals. Their small and attractive labellums, or lips, attract pollinators. 

These types of orchids are epiphytic and thrive in a growing medium of tree bark and perlite. Premixed orchid mixes also work magically with epidendrums. They love bright and indirect light and a humidity level of 50%-80%. 

Like other orchids, they don’t like to grow in soggy soil or growing medium. Water them once a week and let their medium completely dry out between watering. Fertilize them weekly during the growing season and when they start to bloom. If you follow these care guidelines, you should enjoy epic indoor flowers.