Skip to main content

These 5 types of orchids make amazing houseplants

Orchids you should add to your collection

An orchid potted indoors
Nemika_Polted / Shutterstock

Orchids are unique and fascinating flowers, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. While they have a reputation for being tricky to care for, growing orchids indoors can be a fun and rewarding experience. The only question is — what kind of orchid should you grow? We’ve assembled our five favorite types of orchids to help you decide. One of these five types of orchids is sure to be a great fit for you and your home, whether you’re a beginner or an expert looking for a new challenge.

Moth orchid

Purple orchid flowers with white stripes
svf74 / Shutterstock

Moth orchids are one of the more commonly grown orchid varieties, so you’re most likely already at least a little familiar with them. They have long, narrow, curved stems, wide leaves that are typically dark green, and broad flowers that can be any number of colors, including two-toned or variegated.

Recommended Videos

These orchids have fairly straightforward care requirements and are readily available at many nurseries, garden stores, and online. Place your moth orchid in bright, indirect light and water it once a week or whenever the soil is dry. If the stem of your orchid curves too much, or the weight of the flowers is dragging the stem down, you can give it some stability by tying it loosely to a garden stake.

Dendrobium orchid

Purple and white dendrobium orchid flowers
ignartonosbg / Pixabay

Dendrobium orchids are a great choice if you want an orchid you can have indoors and outdoors. Despite their delicate appearance, dendrobium orchids are surprisingly tough, provided they have some shelter from the sun. Keep your dendrobium in bright, indirect light, and water it whenever the soil dries out. Typically, this is once or twice per week.

The dendrobium is a large genus with a ton of variety, so you can collect many dendrobium orchids and never get bored. From relatively tall and leafy stems to thin stems with tiny flowers, exploring all the options available can be an adventure in its own right.

Cattleya orchid

Yellow and pink cattleya orchids
DenisDoukhan / Pixabay

Cattleya orchids are known for their ruffled flower shape, similar to that of a daffodil. Sometimes called the queen of orchids, these stunning flowers are native to South America and are sensitive to the cold. While the genus may not be quite as large as dendrobium, there are still quite a few options when it comes to colors and patterns of your cattleya orchid. The most common colors are yellow and purple, with some two-toned varieties as well.

Water your cattleya orchid only when the soil is drying out, and keep it away from drafts. Bright indirect or diffused light is ideal for these orchids, as they are adapted to growing in the canopies of trees where they would be mostly shielded by leaves. Consider hanging up a sheer curtain to protect your orchid from direct sunlight.

Boat orchid

Brown and dark red boat orchids
thuycongofficial / Pixabay

Boat orchids, named for their petal shape, are a gorgeous orchid genus that typically has large flowers. These flowers come in a range of colors, including many varieties that are speckled or variegated. If you’ve grown more typical orchids in the past and are looking for something particularly striking, boat orchids may be the perfect fit. Their smooth colors and interesting shapes create a unique display, even among orchids.

Care for boat orchids is similar to other types of orchids. They need bright, indirect light or partial shade and regular watering. Water them more often during hot weather and less often during cool weather for the best results. When it comes to foliage, boat orchids have many different kinds. Some boat orchids have very few leaves, while others have many leaves.

Epidendrum orchid

Red epidendrum orchid flowers
dogfoxz123 / Pixabay

Epidendrum orchids are known for their vibrant orange flowers and habit of repeated blooming. This genus is another large one, so there’s plenty of variety to be had, but the most common epidendrum orchids are orange, red, or pink, with clusters or small or medium flowers and plenty of leaves. They almost resemble butterfly weed flowers, and they’re a fantastic way to brighten up shady rooms.

Caring for epidendrum orchids isn’t difficult if you’ve cared for other types of orchids. Place them in bright, indirect light and avoid putting them in direct light. Orchids can become sunburned if they receive too much direct sunlight. Water your epidendrum orchid regularly, especially during hot weather.

These five types of orchids are excellent places to start if you’ve never cared for an orchid before, and their beautiful flowers make them well worth the effort it takes to keep them happy and healthy. Whether you’re looking for a single orchid to keep as a desk plant or want a house full of orchids, you can’t go wrong with one of these five orchids.

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
The best plants to help relieve stress and anxiety
Rest easy with these soothing plants
Bees pollinating lavender flowers

Growing houseplants is one of the best hobbies for stress relief — simply watering and watching your plants grow can help you forget about your daily worries. Whether you feel better because the plants are lovely to look at, help keep your air clean, or produce a soothing scent, plants that help with anxiety make an excellent addition to homes and gardens. If you’re looking to melt your stress and anxiety away, start your self-care journey by picking up a few of the following plants.
Snake plant

Breathe easy and keep headaches at bay with a snake plant! Snake plants help keep the air fresh and clean by absorbing certain toxins or compounds in the air. Besides keeping air fresh, the snake plant is also incredibly easy to maintain. Consisting of clusters of marbled “snakes,” it only needs to be watered when its soil dries out completely. It appreciates, but doesn't necessarily always need, bright indirect light and liquid fertilizer.
Aloe vera

Read more
How to care for the pencil cactus plant (it’s not actually a cactus)
Help your pencil cactus plant thrive with these tips
Pencil cactus plant

If you’ve been looking for a unique and interesting cactus, you might have heard about the pencil cactus plant. Named for their thin, pencil-like branches, these plants are fun to grow. Although these delightful plants resemble cacti, they actually aren’t. Curious about what they are and how you can grow your own? From how these plants are classified to how often you should water them, we have the answers. This guide to pencil cactus plant care will explain everything you need to know to grow your own.
What is a pencil cactus plant?

If a pencil cactus isn’t a cactus, then what is it? Euphorbia tirucalli, more commonly called the pencil cactus, is actually a succulent. It is also sometimes called a tree, growing up to 6 feet tall indoors and 30 feet when grown outdoors. Plants in the Euphorbia genus are often referred to as cacti, with some of the more common ones being the pencil cactus, the cathedral cactus, and the crown of thorns cactus. However, they are, in fact, all succulents.

Read more
How to care for the rare variegated monstera — it’s not for beginners
Keep your gorgeous variegated monstera healthy with these tips
Monstera albo leaves

Monsteras are gorgeous houseplants known for their striking leaf shapes. These lovely plants come in a range of sizes and shades, but some of the most popular monstera species and varieties are the variegated monsteras. These monsteras can be green and white or green and yellow, and they make stunning additions to any home. However, some gardeners find them more difficult to care for than other, non-variegated monsteras. Wondering why that is and how to take care of them? This guide has the answers.
Why are variegated monsteras more difficult to care for?

Variegated plants are not inherently more difficult to care for, but they do have slightly different needs than their solid-colored counterparts. If you aren’t aware of this difference, you may notice your plant struggling to thrive. However, being prepared for this difference and making a few simple adjustments to your care routine will save you a ton of trouble. The difference between variegated and non-variegated plants comes down to chlorophyll.

Read more