Orchid Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular orchid species with care guides, traits, and flowering tips.
Showing 33 of 140 species(1–24)
© Orchi / CC BY-SA 3.0Bifrenaria
A hardy Brazilian orchid with large waxy fragrant flowers, easy for beginners.
© Jean-Jacques MILAN / CC BY-SA 3.0Bletilla
Bletilla striata
The easiest orchid to grow, a terrestrial species common in Japanese gardens with purple-pink spring flowers.
© Gaussian_venation / CC BY-SA 4.0Brassavola
An epiphytic orchid with intensely fragrant white flowers at night, known as Lady of the Night.
Cattleya Bowringiana
Cattleya bowringiana
A Cattleya species with clusters of purple-pink autumn flowers, prolific, gorgeous and easy to grow.
© 阿橋 HQ / CC BY-SA 2.0Cattleya Mini Purple
Cattleya Mini Purple
A primary hybrid of the small Cattleya pumila and C. walkeriana: a compact mini-Cattleya with surprisingly large purple flowers, sold mainly as named clones such as 'Little Princess'.
© Eric in SF / CC BY-SA 3.0Coelogyne
A hardy epiphytic orchid with white fragrant flowers and beautiful pendant flower spikes.
© Alpsdake / CC BY-SA 4.0Cymbidium Goeringii
Cymbidium goeringii
A wild Cymbidium species native to Japan, blooming with a single flower in early spring.
© Orchi / CC BY-SA 3.0Dendrobium Kingianum
Dendrobium kingianum
A hardy small Dendrobium from Australia with pink fragrant flower spikes.
© self / CC BY-SA 3.0Dendrobium Moniliforme
Dendrobium moniliforme
A small Japanese epiphytic orchid with many cultivated varieties, a classical horticultural plant.
Dendrobium Nobile Hybrid
The most common Dendrobium hybrid in Japan, blooming profusely along nodes, popular as gifts.
© No machine-readable author provided. Javier martin assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 3.0Encyclia
An epiphytic orchid with octopus-like petals, hardy and easy to grow with many fragrant species.
© João Medeiros / CC BY 2.0Epidendrum
A hardy orchid with ball-shaped clusters of small flowers in red, orange, yellow and more.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Golden-edged Orchid
Cymbidium floribundum
A compact Cymbidium with dense spikes of small reddish-brown flowers, long grown as a classical Japanese plant. Hardy to cold and dryness, it is famous for luring swarms of Japanese honeybees.
© Orchi / CC BY-SA 3.0Lady of the Night
Brassavola nodosa
A tough epiphytic orchid with slender, rod-like leaves and flowers that pair narrow yellow-green sepals with a broad, heart-shaped white lip. Its strong citrus-like night scent earns it the name lady of the night.
© The original uploader was JoJan at English Wikipedia . / Public domainLaelia
An orchid closely related to Cattleya, smaller with vivid flowers, many species are easy to grow.
© Orchi / CC BY-SA 3.0Loddiges' Dendrobium
Dendrobium loddigesii
A small Dendrobium whose slender stems hang and spread. Single fragrant flowers with pale lilac petals and a reddish-orange lip appear at the nodes of leafless stems. It is tough and multiplies readily.
© Nitesh8de at English Wikipedia / Public domainLudisia
A jewel orchid valued for its velvety dark red leaves with gold veins rather than flowers.
Mini Phalaenopsis
A compact Phalaenopsis perfect for tabletop display, popular as gifts.
© Keisotyo / CC BY-SA 3.0Neofinetia falcata 'Seikai'
Vanda falcata 'Seikai'
A classic fukiran whose short, broad leaves curve back and overlap in a distinctive habit. Variegated Seikai appears in an Edo-period feudal lord's album, showing its long history.
Neofinetia falcata 'Tamakongo'
Vanda falcata 'Tamakongo'
A classic plain-leaved mame-ha (dwarf-leaf) fukiran cultivar of Vanda falcata. Short, broad leaves pack into a neat, compact plant, and it is one of the most widespread fukiran.
Neofinetia falcata 'Tenkei Fukurin'
Vanda falcata 'Tenkei Fukurin'
A named fukiran listed by the Japan Fukiran Society as a fukurin (margined) variety. Its leaves carry a variegated edge, and the society lists it as derived from 'Gojo Fukurin', with a brown-red stem base and brown-red root tips.
© W. J. H. (= William Jackson Hooker) (1785-1865) del., Swan sc. / Public domainOncidium
A popular orchid with many small yellow butterfly-like flowers, widely used as cut flowers.
© Arne and Bent Larsen, Haarby, Denmark / CC BY-SA 2.5 dkOncidium Sharry Baby
A popular hybrid with chocolate fragrance, producing many reddish-brown flowers with sweet indoor scent.
© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0Oncidium Twinkle
Oncidium Twinkle
A compact Oncidium hybrid with vanilla scent and many cute small flowers, easy for beginners.
Related Content
Orchid FAQ
- How much do orchids cost?
- Mini Phalaenopsis cost 1,000-5,000 yen, large Phalaenopsis 5,000-30,000 yen, Cattleya 3,000-20,000 yen, and rare species orchids tens of thousands of yen depending on type and size.
- Can beginners grow orchids?
- Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium are easy to manage indoors and recommended for beginners. Place in bright indirect light and water when the moss dries out for long-lasting blooms.
- How long do orchids live?
- With proper care, orchids can be grown for decades. Phalaenopsis bloom annually and can be propagated by division. Many enthusiasts have plants over 10 years old.
- What should I check when buying orchids?
- Check that roots are green and healthy, leaves are firm, and there are no disease spots. Choosing a blooming plant helps you see what to expect and is easier for beginners.
- How do I get orchids to rebloom?
- Cut the flower spike above a node after blooming and keep in bright shade. A day-night temperature difference in autumn encourages flower spike formation. Consistent fertilizing and watering are key.