An In-Depth Look at 23 Types of Orchids to Grow as Houseplants

Orchids, with their stunning array of colors and patterns, are some of the most beautiful plants to grow indoors as houseplants. With over 700 genera in the Orchidaceae family, there are countless options to choose from when selecting the perfect orchid for your home.

In this guide, we will explore 23 unique types of orchids that can be grown indoors as houseplants. Each orchid variety has its own distinct characteristics, from warm to cool growing conditions, fragrant blooms, and specific care requirements.

As we dive into each type of orchid, you will learn about the flowers, plant growth, and cultural requirements for successful cultivation as a houseplant. Whether you are a beginner orchid enthusiast or a seasoned grower, there is an orchid on this list that will be a perfect match for your care-taking style and home environment.

Let’s begin by exploring the diverse world of orchids and find the perfect match for your indoor garden.

1. Brassavola

Genus Characteristics: Epiphytes and lithophytes with cylindrical leaves and pseudobulbs.
Flower Characteristics: Pendant growth habit, fragrant night-blooming flowers in shades of white and greenish white.
Cultural Requirements: Tolerant of low humidity levels, requires bright light and well-draining potting medium.
Recommended Variety: B. Little Stars: Interspecies cross with fragrant white heart-shaped flowers.
- Where to Buy: Clear Pots via Walmart.

2. Brassia

Genus Characteristics: Also known as “spider orchids” with flattened pseudobulbs and yellowish leaves.
Flower Characteristics: Arching spikes with thin, wispy petals in green, yellow, or tan shades.
Cultural Requirements: Prefers bright, filtered light, and moderate humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Brs. verrucosa: Large, eight to 10-inch spider-like flowers.
- Where to Buy: Amazon.

3. Bulbophyllum

Genus Characteristics: Epiphytic and deciduous plants with light green foliage.
Flower Characteristics: Diverse blooms, some with unique non-flowerlike appearance.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate to warm growing conditions, high humidity, and frequent watering.
Recommended Variety: Bulb. Frank Smith: Star-shaped blooms with yellow and orange details.
- Where to Buy: Aloha Hawaii Orchids at Amazon.

4. Calanthe

Genus Characteristics: Terrestrial and evergreen plants with large and colorful blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Multi-colored blooms in shades of white, orange, brown, yellow, and purple.
Cultural Requirements: Bright, indirect light, and occasional winter rest period.
Recommended Variety: Cal. tankervilleae: White and brownish purple blooms, suitable for beginners.
- Where to Buy: Local nurseries or garden centers.

5. Cattleya

Genus Characteristics: Epiphytic plants with thick, oblong leaves and vibrant colored blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Large, ruffled blooms in shades of violet, lavender, purple, and orange.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate growing conditions, bright light, and moderate humidity.
Recommended Variety: C. Potinara Chief ‘Sweet Orange’: Fiery-colored, fragrant blooms.
- Where to Buy: The Orchid Gallery via Amazon.

6. Coelogyne

Genus Characteristics: Mostly epiphytic plants with trailing flower spikes and small blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Trailing flower spikes with clusters of small, fragrant blooms.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate to warm growing conditions, bright light, and moderate humidity.
Recommended Variety: Coel. wenzelii: Reddish-orange flowers with fragrant blooms.
- Where to Buy: Orchid Insanity via Amazon.

7. Cycnoches

Genus Characteristics: Deciduous plants with pendant flower sprays and fragrant blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Pendulous sprays of flowers in red, bronze, white, yellow, or green.
Cultural Requirements: Warm growing conditions, bright light, and changing water needs.
Recommended Variety: Cyc. warscewiczii: Fragrant, upside-down flowers in green and yellow.
- Where to Buy: Local orchid nurseries.

8. Cymbidium

Genus Characteristics: Epiphytic and terrestrial plants with grassy leaves and showy blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Large flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, and red.
Cultural Requirements: Cool to warm growing conditions, bright light, and high humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Cym. Sarah Jane ‘Ice Cascade’: Fragrant, white blooms suitable for home cultivation.
- Where to Buy: Orchid Insanity via Amazon.

9. Dendrobium

Genus Characteristics: Sympodial plants with diverse flower types and growing habitats.
Flower Characteristics: Small to large blooms in various colors and patterns.
Cultural Requirements: Varying temperature and light needs, bright light, and moderate humidity.
Recommended Variety: Den. kingianum: Easy-care hybrid with mottled foliage and colorful flowers.
- Where to Buy: Rooted via Amazon.

10. Encyclia

Genus Characteristics: Easy-care epiphytes with fragrant blooms and varied sizes.
Flower Characteristics: Fragrant flowers in green, brown, maroon, or white shades.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate to warm growing conditions, bright light, and moderate humidity.
Recommended Variety: E. cordigera: Fragrant flowers with purple and white details.
- Where to Buy: Emerald Goddess Gardens Store via Amazon.

11. Epidendrum

Genus Characteristics: Diverse plants with many species and complex growth habits.
Flower Characteristics: Small to large blooms in all colors except black and cyan blue.
Cultural Requirements: Bright light, varying temperature needs, and moderate humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Epi. radicans: Warm-growing orchid with fiery flowers.
- Where to Buy: The Orchid Gallery via Amazon.

12. Laelia

Genus Characteristics: Vibrant plants with star-shaped blooms and bold colors.
Flower Characteristics: Star-shaped blooms in white, purple, or burgundy hues.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate growing conditions, bright light, and moderate humidity.
Recommended Variety: L. purpurata var. striata ‘Stars and Bars’: Large white and pink blooms.
- Where to Buy: Aloha Hawaii Orchids via Amazon.

13. Ludisia

Genus Characteristics: Jewel orchids with patterned foliage and colorful blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Small, fragrant blooms with dark green leaves and red veins.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate growing conditions, moderate humidity, and consistent watering.
Recommended Variety: Lus. discolor: Easy-care orchid with patterned foliage.
- Where to Buy: Rooted via Amazon.

14. Miltonia

Genus Characteristics: Vibrant plants with large, showy blooms and diverse colors.
Flower Characteristics: Star-shaped blooms in various colors and patterns.
Cultural Requirements: Moderate light, bright indirect light, and regular watering.
Recommended Variety: Milt. spectabilis ‘SD-2’: Large, fragrant flowers in various colors.
- Where to Buy: Planterest via Amazon.

15. Oncidium

Genus Characteristics: Colorful plants with characteristic dance lady-shaped blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Vibrant blooms in yellow, maroon, red, and green hues.
Cultural Requirements: Bright light, watering frequency, and moderate humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Onc. Rex’s Luck ‘Firefly’: Fiery-colored, fragrant flowers.
- Where to Buy: Aloha Hawaii Orchids via Amazon.

16. Paphiopedilum

Genus Characteristics: Unique slipper-shaped orchids with deep-colored blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Slipper-shaped blooms in white, yellow, purple, or pink hues.
Cultural Requirements: Moderate light, consistent watering, and high humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Paph. Maudiae: Easy-care hybrid with mottled foliage.
- Where to Buy: Amazon.

17. Phalaenopsis

Genus Characteristics: Elegant orchids with long-lasting, fragrant blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Large, showy blooms in various colors and patterns.
Cultural Requirements: Low light, consistent watering, and moderate humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Phal. charlesworthii: White and pink Moth orchid variety.
- Where to Buy: FastGrowingTrees.com.

18. Phragmipedium

Genus Characteristics: Slipper orchids with unique pouch-shaped blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Pouch-shaped blooms in shades of green, red, and maroon.
Cultural Requirements: Bright light, consistent watering, and high humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Phrag. Grande: Long-lasting, non-fragrant orchid blooms.
- Where to Buy: Local orchid nurseries.

19. Polystachya

Genus Characteristics: Small to medium-sized orchids with fragrant, small flowers.
Flower Characteristics: Small blooms in yellow, orange, or green hues.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate growing conditions, bright light, and moderate humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Pol. bella: Fragrant, yellow blooms with an easy-care package.
- Where to Buy: Local garden centers.

20. Prosthechea

Genus Characteristics: Orchids with unique flower shapes and fragrant blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Upside-down flowers in green, white, and purple shades.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate growing conditions, bright light, and moderate to high humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Psh. radiata: Fragrant, upside-down purple and white blooms.
- Where to Buy: Amazon.

21. Rhynchostylis

Genus Characteristics: Orchids with long-lasting, fragrant flower sprays.
Flower Characteristics: Arching sprays of flowers in white, pink, or purple hues.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate to warm growing conditions, bright light, and frequent watering.
Recommended Variety: Rhy. Gigantea: Fragrant, trailing flowers in white and purple shades.
- Where to Buy: Plant stores or nurseries.

22. Vanda

Genus Characteristics: Tall orchids with large, aerial roots and colorful blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Vibrant blooms in various colors and patterns.
Cultural Requirements: Bright light, high humidity, and consistent watering.
Recommended Variety: V. Pachara Delight: Beautiful, intense blue-purple blooms.
- Where to Buy: Horticultural retailers.

23. Zygopetalum

Genus Characteristics: Orchids with unique flower patterns and fragrant blooms.
Flower Characteristics: Eclectic blooms in various colors and spot patterns.
Cultural Requirements: Intermediate growing conditions, bright light, and moderate humidity levels.
Recommended Variety: Z. Sanderae: Exotic, fragrant flowers in green and purple hues.
- Where to Buy: Orchid retailers or online stores.

With these 23 types of orchids covered in detail, you now have a well-rounded understanding of the diverse varieties of orchids available for indoor cultivation as houseplants. From their unique flower shapes and colors to their specific cultural requirements, each orchid variety offers a unique beauty that can enhance any indoor space.

Whether you are a beginning orchid enthusiast or an experienced grower, there is a perfect orchid match waiting for you in this detailed guide. Choose wisely based on your preferences for bloom color, fragrance, and ease of care, and enjoy the beauty of these stunning plants in your indoor garden.

So, have you found your perfect orchid match yet? Let us know in the comments section below which orchid variety resonates with you, and happy growing!