Vanilla orchid
Vanilla planifolia
Also called Vanilla and Flat-leaved vanilla
Houseplant · OrchidsIT WILL NOT FLOWER UNTIL IT HAS CLIMBED THREE METRES, which takes years, and a flower lasts one morning and must be pollinated by hand that day. Grow it for the vine and count a pod as a windfall.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Hard
- Water
- Once a weekDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- High
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out in high summer RHS H1B, to 10°C
- Size
- 4 m tall · 0.5 m across
- Lifecycle
- Climber
- Origin
- Mexico and Central America
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-21. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.