15 Types of Orchids Every Houseplant Lover Should Know

The 15 most common houseplant orchids divide into four broad groups by care difficulty: easy (Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium), intermediate (Cattleya, Oncidium, Cymbidium), advanced (Vanda, Masdevallia), and specialist (Bulbophyllum, Lycaste). For most home growers, Phalaenopsis is the right starting orchid — it's forgiving, blooms for months, and tolerates standard indoor conditions. The other 14 species have specific light, humidity, and potting requirements worth understanding before you buy. This guide covers what each looks like, how to care for it, and which potting mix works best for each type.

Quick reference: 15 orchids at a glance

Before the deep dives, here's the at-a-glance comparison.

• Phalaenopsis — easy, low light tolerant, medium bark mix
• Dendrobium — easy to intermediate, bright indirect, medium bark mix
• Cattleya — intermediate, bright light, coarse bark mix
• Oncidium — intermediate, bright indirect, medium bark mix
• Cymbidium — intermediate, cool nights required, terrestrial mix
• Paphiopedilum — intermediate, low to medium light, fine bark with sphagnum
• Brassia — intermediate, bright indirect, medium bark mix
• Miltonia — intermediate, cool and humid, fine bark mix
• Zygopetalum — intermediate, bright indirect, terrestrial mix
• Epidendrum — easy to intermediate, very bright light, medium bark mix
• Masdevallia — advanced, cool and humid, fine sphagnum
• Bulbophyllum — advanced, varies by species, fine sphagnum or mounted
• Lycaste — intermediate to advanced, cool and humid, terrestrial mix
• Coelogyne — intermediate, cool and humid, medium bark mix
• Vanda — advanced, very bright light, mounted (no pot, no soil)

Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) — the easiest place to start

Phalaenopsis is the orchid you see at the supermarket, and there's a reason. It tolerates low to medium light, normal indoor humidity (40-60%), and average household temperatures. Blooms last 2-4 months and the plant rebloo m s annually if happy.

Light: bright, indirect. East or west-facing window, or a south-facing window with a sheer curtain. Direct midday sun burns leaves.

Water: let the bark dry out almost completely between waterings. Soak-and-drain every 7-10 days in winter, every 5-7 days in summer.

Soil: medium-grade bark mix with perlite. Molly's Orchid Mix is formulated for Phalaenopsis specifically.

Repot: every 1-2 years, or when bark breaks down.

Cattleya — the showy one

Cattleya orchids produce dramatic, large, often fragrant blooms. They have pseudobulbs (thickened stems that store water) which makes them more drought-tolerant than Phalaenopsis but also pickier about light.

Light: very bright indirect to filtered direct. Insufficient light is the #1 reason Cattleyas fail to bloom. South or west window with morning sun is ideal.

Water: let the mix dry between waterings. Cattleyas tolerate drying out completely; they don't tolerate sitting wet.

Soil: coarse bark mix with extra drainage. Medium-grade bark works but coarse is better. Molly's Orchid Mix works well if you let it dry more between waterings.

Dendrobium — the variable orchid

"Dendrobium" covers thousands of species with varied needs. The most common houseplant types are Dendrobium nobile and Dendrobium phalaenopsis (yes, confusingly named).

Light: bright indirect, similar to Phalaenopsis.

Water: regular watering during growth (spring/summer), reduced watering during dormancy (winter). Some species require a cool, dry rest to bloom.

Soil: medium-grade bark mix. Molly's Orchid Mix works for the most common Dendrobium types.

Oncidium ("Dancing Lady") — the prolific bloomer

Oncidiums produce sprays of dozens of small flowers, typically yellow with brown markings. The "Sharry Baby" cultivar smells like chocolate.

Light: bright, indirect to filtered direct.

Water: Oncidiums have small pseudobulbs and finer roots than Cattleyas. They prefer slightly more consistent moisture but still need to dry between waterings.

Soil: medium bark mix with extra perlite. Molly's Orchid Mix performs well.

Paphiopedilum (Slipper Orchid) — the terrestrial

Slipper orchids are semi-terrestrial — their roots are adapted to forest floor leaf litter, not tree bark. They have unique pouch-shaped flowers and tolerate lower light than most orchids.

Light: low to medium. North-facing window or interior room with bright ambient light.

Water: keep evenly moist. Don't let them dry out completely.

Soil: fine bark with sphagnum moss added for moisture retention. Molly's Orchid Mix is too chunky; Paphiopedilums need a custom blend.

Vanda — the showpiece

Vandas are advanced orchids known for spectacular flowers and... not being grown in pots at all. They live with bare roots hanging in baskets, watered daily by drenching.

Light: very bright. They need essentially full sun outdoors in tropical climates, or grow lights indoors.

Water: daily root soak (literally drench the roots until they turn from silver to green).

Soil: none. Hung in baskets, no medium.

The other 8 (in brief)

Cymbidium: needs cool nights (50-55°F) to bloom. Best as a patio plant in mild climates. Terrestrial-style mix.

Brassia: "spider orchid." Easy to grow but flowers can be temperamental. Medium bark mix.

Miltonia: "pansy orchid." Needs cool and humid conditions; struggles in dry indoor air. Fine bark mix.

Zygopetalum: fragrant flowers, terrestrial-leaning. Mix of bark and finer media.

Epidendrum: "reed-stem epidendrums" are easy and tolerate full sun outdoors. Standard bark mix.

Masdevallia: small, jewel-like flowers. Demands cool, humid conditions year-round. Sphagnum-based mix.

Bulbophyllum: a genus of thousands of species, from easy to nearly impossible. Most prefer mounted growing or sphagnum.

Lycaste/Coelogyne: intermediate orchids that prefer cool conditions and high humidity. Bark-based mix.

Which orchid should you start with?

If this is your first orchid: Phalaenopsis. Period. They're forgiving, available everywhere, bloom for months, and live in the same conditions as most houseplants.

If you've kept Phalaenopsis alive for a year and want to expand: try a Dendrobium or Oncidium. Both add visual variety without major care changes. Use the same potting mix you used for Phalaenopsis (Molly's Orchid Mix or equivalent).

Skip Vanda, Masdevallia, and finicky Bulbophyllums until you have a few seasons of orchid growing under your belt. They demand specific conditions most homes can't easily provide.

Frequently asked questions

Are all orchid mixes the same?

No. Most "orchid mix" products on the shelf are too fine. Look for medium-grade bark with perlite and charcoal. Avoid sphagnum-only mixes for most species (Phalaenopsis hates pure sphagnum). Read the ingredient list.

Can I grow orchids if I don't have a south-facing window?

Yes for Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum. East and west windows work fine. North-facing rooms are challenging but possible with grow lights.

Do orchids need special humidity?

Most are happy at 40-60% humidity (normal indoor levels). Miltonia and Masdevallia want 60-80%, which usually requires a humidifier or grouping plants together.

How long do orchid blooms last?

Phalaenopsis: 2-4 months. Cattleya: 2-4 weeks. Dendrobium: 4-8 weeks. Most orchids bloom once per year.

Why won't my orchid rebloom?

The #1 reason is insufficient light. The #2 reason is no temperature drop (some orchids need 10-15°F night-day differential to trigger blooming). Repotting in old, decomposed bark also stresses the plant out of bloom cycle.