Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Holidays
  • Gardening
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Shop
  • Rooms
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Family
  • Pets
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 of the Most Common Perennial Garden Mistakes to Avoid

      Are your plants not looking as lush and colorful as you hoped? Make sure you haven't made any of these missteps. Read More Next
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More Next
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More Next
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays

    This Is Why We Send Paper Valentines on February 14

    The tradition began more than 1,500 years ago.
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Halloween
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflĆ© dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here!
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating

    Pantone Predicts the Bold, Happy Colors You'll See Everywhere in Spring 2021

    If these trendy hues are any indication, brighter days are coming. Here's how to use these stunning shades around your home.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Shop
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • News
  • Beauty & Style

    Beauty & Style

    See All Beauty & Style

    Here's Exactly How to Find Your Perfect Nude Nail Color

    Truth be told, there's no such thing as a universal nude.
    • Anti-Aging
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Style
    • Nails
  • Health & Family

    Health & Family

    See All Health & Family

    7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now

    Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day.
    • Family Activities
    • Reunions
    • Conditions
    • Parenting Skills
  • Pets

    Pets

    See All Pets

    50 Perfect Calico Cat Names for Your Beautiful Kitty

    Use your pet's unique coat as inspiration on what to call them.
    • Dogs and Puppies
    • Cats
    • Caring for Your Pet
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Gardening
  3. Houseplants
  4. Choosing Houseplants
  5. 15 Easy-to-Grow Orchids that Will Brighten Up Your Home

15 Easy-to-Grow Orchids that Will Brighten Up Your Home

By BH&G Garden Editors
Updated January 13, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
Credit: Matt Clark
Despite their reputation for being difficult, many orchids can be easy to grow as houseplants. Without needing much care from you, these varieties can bloom every year, or even multiple times per year.
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Moth Orchids

Credit: Matt Clark

Moth orchids are some of the least expensive, most common, and longest-blooming orchids widely available. In fact, one bloom spike can look great for four months or more. The flowers appear in shades of white, pink, red, green, yellow, orange, and purple.

How to Grow Them: Give moth orchids (Phalaenopsis selections) a spot in low, medium, or bright light and water weekly or every other week. Promote more and larger blooms by feeding moth orchids monthly with a fertilizer formulated for orchids. The plants do best in temperatures from 50 to 75°F.

Test Garden Tip: A drop in temperatures at night (usually by 10 to 15°F) helps encourage them to bloom. Try moving them to a cooler area of your home each night, like a basement.

Buy It: Phalaenopsis Orchid in Grower Pot, $20.23, The Home Depot

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dendrobium Orchids

Credit: Doug Hetherington

Dendrobium flowers, often seen at florists in bouquets, offer long-lasting blooms (they stay looking good for a month or more) in an array of colors from white to purple, pink, and even green.

How to Grow Them: Dendrobium selections prefer a spot in medium to bright light. Water them weekly or every other week and fertilize them monthly with a plant food formulated for orchids. They do best in temperatures from 50 to 70°F.

Test Garden Tip: Hundreds of dendrobiums are available; the most common types keep their foliage all year and bloom on new stems.

Buy It: Dendrobium Orchid Hawaiian Starter, $23.99, Etsy

2 of 15

3 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Oncidium Orchids

Credit: Denny Schrock

Sometimes called dancing lady orchids, oncidiums offer lots of colorful smallish flowers in clusters of 50 or more. They commonly appear in shades of yellow, purple, red, pink, and white, often with flamboyant, contrasting markings.

How to Grow Them: Oncidium selections do best in medium to bright light. Water them weekly or every other week and feed them monthly in spring and summer with orchid fertilizer. They do best in temperatures from 50 to 75°F.

Test Garden Tip: Some oncidium orchids are wonderfully fragrant—watch for them to add an even more delightful note to your indoor garden.

Buy It: 4 Small Oncidium Orchids, $39.99, Etsy

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cymbidium Orchids

Credit: Doug Hetherington

Featuring waxy, long-lasting flowers in winter or early spring and an easy-care nature, it's no wonder cymbidiums are popular indoor plants.

How to Grow Them: Cymbidium orchids flower best if given a spot in bright light. In fact, you can even bring them outdoors to a shady spot for the summer. Water them weekly to keep them from drying out. Get them to bloom best by fertilizing them monthly in spring and summer. It does best in temperatures from 50 to 70°F.

Test Garden Tip: Cymbidium orchids flower best if given cool temperatures—under 50°F—for a number of weeks, which is why they're usually in bloom in winter.

Buy It: Cymbidium Peter Fir 'Torch,' $65.00, Orchid Web

4 of 15

5 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lady's Slipper Orchids

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Perhaps the most distinct orchids, tropical lady's slipper offers big blooms composed of a hollow "pouch" backed by a sepal and two petals. Even better: Many lady's slippers orchids have variegated foliage, so they look beautiful when they're not flowering too.

How to Grow Them: Lady's slipper orchids (Paphiopedilium) grow well in low, medium, or bright light. Water about once a week, and feed them monthly in spring and summer with an orchid fertilizer. They will do best in temperatures from 50 to 70°F.

Test Garden Tip: Watch out for multi-floral varieties that produce several flowers per stem. They'll give you a bigger display for a longer period of time.

Buy It: Paphiopedilium delenatii, $85.00, Orchid Web

5 of 15

6 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cattleya Orchids

Credit: Doug Hetherington

You might think of this as a corsage orchid, but it's a wonderful indoor plant, as well as a cut flower. Blooms are often fragrant and appear in a wide range of colors, from red to pink, white, yellow, and orange. Some selections feature eye-catching markings in other colors.

How to Grow Them: Cattleya orchids do best in medium or bright light. Water them once every week or two, and feed them monthly in spring and summer with an orchid fertilizer to get the biggest blooms. They do best in temperatures from 50 to 70°F.

Test Garden Tip: Cattleya orchids can bloom twice a year and the flowers last for weeks. Make sure they get plenty of light so they rebloom quickly.

Buy It: Better-Gro Lavendar Cattleya Orchid, $12.92, The Home Depot

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Jewel Orchid

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

This beauty isn't usually grown for its flowers. Instead, it's the lovely purple foliage with pink stripes that attracts attention. The small white blooms, which appear in late summer or fall, are a cute accent to the leaves.

How to Grow Them: Jewel orchid (Ludisia discolor) does best in low to medium light. Give it a drink once every week or two. If you want, feed it with an orchid fertilizer once a month. It does best in temperatures from 55 to 80°F.

Test Garden Tip: Give jewel orchids plenty of humidity to keep their gorgeous leaves from developing brown, crispy edges.

Buy It: Ludisia discolor, $25.00, J&L Orchids

7 of 15

8 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cockleshell Orchid

Credit: Doug Hetherington

Here's another wonderfully distinct, easy-growing orchid. Cockleshell orchid produces purple, clam-shaped flowers with chartreuse-green sepals that look a bit like tropical tentacles. The flowers last a long time and a mature plant produces lots of blossoms. In fact, it can be in bloom all year long.

How to Grow Them: Cockleshell orchid (Encyclia cochleata) grows best in low to bright light. Water once every week or two so the orchid mix just dries between waterings. Encourage more blooms by giving it orchid fertilizer once a month or so. It does best in temperatures from 60 to 80°F.

Buy It: Encyclia cochleata, $7.99, Orchids by Hausermann

8 of 15

9 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Nun Orchid

Credit: Doug Hetherington

Though its flowers look dramatic, nun orchid is easier to grow than most people think. In winter, it features clusters of purple, brown, and white flowers on stems to three feet tall, along with rich green corrugated leaves.

How to Grow Them: Nun orchid (Phaius tankervilleae) thrives in medium to bright light. Water it weekly from spring to fall; water every other week or so in winter. Encourage better blooming by feeding it weekly in spring and summer with an orchid fertilizer. It does best in temperatures from 60 to 80°F.

Test Garden Tip: Make sure this orchid doesn't dry out and the air doesn't get too dry—otherwise the magnificent foliage may develop brown edges.

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Odontoglossum Orchids

Credit: Jay Graham

Closely related to oncidiums, this group of orchids produces clusters of large, usually spectacularly colored flowers that last for weeks. They're most commonly available in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white—often with splotches of other colors.

How to Grow Them: Odontoglossums (often called odonts) thrive in medium or bright light. Water them once a week or once every other week, and feed them once a month in spring and summer with an orchid fertilizer. They do best in temperatures from 50 to 70°F.

Test Garden Tip: Many odontoglossums are very easy to grow, but some are quite challenging. Check into a variety's ease of care before taking it home.

Buy It: Odontoglossum pulchellum, $50.00, Orchid Web

10 of 15

11 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

ā€˜Sharry Baby’ Oncidium

Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

If you love the fragrance of fresh-baked brownies, you’re bound to fall in love with Oncidium ‘Sharry Baby.’ The 1-inch maroon flowers of this prolific flowering plant are marked with white and perfume a room with a subtle chocolate fragrance. ‘Sharry Baby,’ like all oncidiums, boasts flower stalks that are bejeweled with dozens of petite blossoms.

How to Grow Them: ‘Sharry Baby’ thrives in intermediate light, temperature, and moisture. An east window or slightly shaded south window will provide just the right amount of light. Let the surface the growing media (usually moss or bark) just barely dry out before watering.

Test Garden Tip: If you are comfortable with the indoor temperature, ‘Sharry Baby’ will thrive. Use your comfort as an indicator of the right temperature for your orchid.

Buy It: Mature 'Sharry Baby' Orchid, $45, Etsy

11 of 15

12 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lady of the Night Orchid

Credit: Getty Images

Lady of the Night orchid (Brassavola nodosa) is named in part thanks to its lovely fragrance that is most prolific at night. Unlike most orchids that bloom just once a year, Lady of the Night often blooms multiple times a year. Count on it to bloom in fall or winter and then again sporadically in spring.

How to Grow Them: There are hundreds of types of orchid plants and not all are adaptable to traditional home environments, but Lady of the Night grows well in a container when provided with bright light and moderate daytime temperatures. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering. Before plants bloom in late fall or winter, encourage flowering by not watering plants for a couple of weeks.

Test Garden Tip: Lady of the Night orchid flowers best when it grows in a location that has cool nighttime temperatures. A location that is 10°F cooler at night than the daytime temperature is ideal.

Buy It: Brassavola nodosa, $15.00, Orchids by Hausermann

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

ā€˜Rosy Dawn’ Slipper Orchid

Credit: Getty Images

‘Rosy Dawn’ is beloved by orchid growers for its ease of growing and big, bold flowers. Blooming in winter and occasionally in summer too, ‘Rosy Dawn’ has more pronounced coloring in summer and takes on a pale white hue in winter.

How to Grow Them: Slipper orchids grow well in low light. An east window is ideal. West or south windows can be used if they are shaded by a sheer curtain. ‘Rosy Dawn,’ like most slipper orchids, grow best when their soil is kept evenly moist. Don’t let these orchids dry out between waterings. Check the soil every other day or so and water plants when soil just begins to feel slightly dry to the touch.

Test Garden Tip: You can tell by the leaves if your orchid is getting too much light. A reddish tinge on the edges means you need to move the plant to a location with less sunlight.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica

Credit: Paroli Galperti/Getty Images

Large flowers in rich colors make this Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, a favorite. Count on it to bloom in fall or winter and unfurl blooms for more than 8 weeks when grown in ideal conditions.

How to Grow Them: Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica orchids grow well in warm conditions—they thrive in rooms that are 70 to 85°—and low light. An east-facing window is a great choice for this orchid. Phalaenopsis orchids also love humidity. Increase the humidity around your plants by setting them on low dishes filled with small stones. Fill the dish with water until just below the top of the stones. Set the orchid on top of the stones.

Test Garden Tip: Use room temperature water when watering.

Buy It: Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica, $29.90, Seattle Orchid

14 of 15

15 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Phalaenopsis gigantea

Credit: Getty Images

This is a moth orchid with a big presence. Named for its gigantic leaves (which exceed 2 feet long in some instances), Phalaenopsis gigantea is grown for its foliage as well as its flowers. The parent of many orchids, it is known for its mottled, showy flowers.

How to Grow Them: Phalaenopsis gigantea grows best in low light. Place it in an east or north-facing window. Consistently moist—but not wet—soil is preferred. Water plants by delivering water directly to the planting media. Take care not to get the water between the long leaves. Phalaenopsis gigantea grows thrives in consistently warm temperatures.

Test Garden Tip: Pale, silvery green leaves are typical for Phalaenopsis gigantea.

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By BH&G Garden Editors

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 15 Moth Orchids
2 of 15 Dendrobium Orchids
3 of 15 Oncidium Orchids
4 of 15 Cymbidium Orchids
5 of 15 Lady's Slipper Orchids
6 of 15 Cattleya Orchids
7 of 15 Jewel Orchid
8 of 15 Cockleshell Orchid
9 of 15 Nun Orchid
10 of 15 Odontoglossum Orchids
11 of 15 ā€˜Sharry Baby’ Oncidium
12 of 15 Lady of the Night Orchid
13 of 15 ā€˜Rosy Dawn’ Slipper Orchid
14 of 15 Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica
15 of 15 Phalaenopsis gigantea

Share options

Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Shop | Better Homes & Gardens

  • Raised Garden Kits
  • Arbors
  • Gazebos
  • Pots & Planters
  • Trellises
  • Gardening Tools
  • Perennials
  • Garden Bridges
  • Rain Barrels
  • Shades & Structures
  • Shop More Next

Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
Better Homes & Gardens

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
  • Help
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

View image

15 Easy-to-Grow Orchids that Will Brighten Up Your Home
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.