Orchids make up one of the largest plant families on Earth, with more than 25,000 species and over 100,000 hybrids. For home growers, though, most orchids belong to a handful of popular genera. Knowing which type you have makes a big difference, because their light, water and care needs vary widely.
How orchids are grouped
Orchids are usually referred to by their genus — the group of closely related species they belong to, such as Phalaenopsis or Cattleya. Care requirements are broadly similar within a genus, so identifying the type of orchid you own is the first step to keeping it healthy and reblooming.
The main types of orchids
Here are the most popular types of orchids you’re likely to grow or receive as a gift.
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)
By far the most common orchid, the moth orchid has broad, flat blooms held on an arching spike and flowers that can last for months. Tolerant of average home conditions and low-to-medium light, it’s the best orchid for beginners.
Cattleya
The classic “corsage orchid,” Cattleyas produce large, ruffled, often intensely fragrant flowers in vivid colors. They need bright light and a distinct dry period between waterings.
Dendrobium
One of the largest orchid genera, Dendrobiums grow on tall cane-like stems topped with sprays of flowers. Care varies by type, but many are easygoing and long-blooming.
Oncidium (Dancing Lady)
Oncidiums send up branching sprays of many small flowers, most famously in bright yellow, that flutter like tiny dancers. Some varieties, like “Sharry Baby,” are wonderfully fragrant.
Cymbidium
Cymbidiums are large plants with grassy foliage and long-lasting, waxy blooms, popular as cut flowers and corsages. They need cool nights in autumn to trigger flowering.
Vanda
Vandas are showstoppers with large, vividly colored flowers, including rare true-blue tones. They demand very high light and humidity and are often grown in hanging baskets with bare roots.
Paphiopedilum (Slipper Orchid)
Instantly recognizable by their pouch-shaped lower “slipper” lip, Paphiopedilums tolerate lower light than most orchids, making them good for shadier spots indoors.
Miltonia / Miltoniopsis (Pansy Orchid)
These orchids bear flat, open, pansy-like faces in soft colors, often with contrasting markings. They prefer cooler temperatures and consistent moisture.
Zygopetalum
Zygopetalums produce star-shaped flowers in green, burgundy and purple with striking patterns and a strong, sweet fragrance. They’re a rewarding step up for growers ready for something unusual.
Orchid growth types: monopodial vs sympodial
Orchids also fall into two growth patterns, which affects how they’re potted and divided:
- Monopodial orchids (like Phalaenopsis and Vanda) grow upward from a single stem, adding new leaves at the top.
- Sympodial orchids (like Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium and Cymbidium) grow sideways from a rhizome, producing a series of new shoots called pseudobulbs.
How to choose the right orchid
For a first orchid, choose a Phalaenopsis — it’s forgiving, widely available and blooms for months on a windowsill. If you have a very bright spot, Cattleyas and Vandas reward you with spectacular flowers, while Paphiopedilums are the best pick for lower-light rooms. Always match the orchid to the light and humidity you can realistically provide.
Caring for orchids
Most orchids are epiphytes that grow on trees in the wild, so they need a chunky, free-draining orchid mix, bright indirect light, and watering only when nearly dry — never left sitting in water. Learn more in our orchid flower profile.
Popular orchids to grow
These popular, widely available orchids are good choices for home growers:
- Phalaenopsis hybrids — the easy, months-long-blooming moth orchids sold everywhere
- Oncidium “Sharry Baby” — sprays of tiny flowers that smell of chocolate
- Cattleya hybrids — large, fragrant, ruffled “corsage” orchids for bright spots
- Cymbidium hybrids — long-lasting sprays popular as cut flowers and corsages
- Paphiopedilum “Maudiae” — an elegant, low-light slipper orchid
- Vanda coerulea — the rare true-blue orchid for humid, high-light growers
Getting orchids to rebloom
Many people think orchids are “one and done,” but most will flower again for years with the right care. After a Phalaenopsis finishes blooming, a drop in night temperature of about 10°F in autumn often triggers a new flower spike. Give your orchid bright indirect light, water only when the mix is nearly dry, and feed weakly but regularly during growth, and it will reward you with fresh blooms season after season.
Orchid types FAQs
What are the most popular types of orchids?
The most popular orchid types are Phalaenopsis (moth orchids), Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Cymbidium, Vanda, Paphiopedilum (slipper orchids), Miltonia (pansy orchids) and Zygopetalum. Phalaenopsis is by far the most common as a houseplant.
What is the easiest orchid to grow?
The Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, is the easiest orchid for beginners. It tolerates average home temperatures and low-to-medium light, blooms for months, and needs only weekly watering, making it the best choice for a first orchid.
What kind of orchid do I have?
Identify your orchid by its flowers and growth: moth-like flat blooms on an arching spike are Phalaenopsis; large ruffled fragrant flowers are Cattleya; sprays of tiny yellow flowers are Oncidium; and a pouch-shaped lip means a Paphiopedilum slipper orchid.
What is the difference between monopodial and sympodial orchids?
Monopodial orchids, like Phalaenopsis and Vanda, grow upward from a single stem. Sympodial orchids, like Cattleya and Dendrobium, grow sideways along a rhizome, producing a row of new shoots and pseudobulbs. The difference affects how each is potted and divided.
Which orchids are fragrant?
Many Cattleyas are prized for their strong, sweet fragrance, as are certain Oncidiums (such as the chocolate-scented “Sharry Baby”) and Zygopetalums. Phalaenopsis moth orchids are usually unscented.
How many types of orchids are there?
The orchid family is one of the largest in the plant kingdom, with more than 25,000 wild species and over 100,000 registered hybrids. For home growers, though, most orchids belong to fewer than a dozen popular genera.
See the orchid flower profile, orchid meaning, and browse purple flowers for more exotic blooms.