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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cattleya Pair of classic purple corsage orchids with frilly dark lip
Dendrobium Flowers
Paphiopedilum Form
Vanda has some common insect problems:
Greenhouse Thrips

Vanda

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ascocentrum
  • Christensonia
  • Euanthe
  • Neofinetia
  • Trudelia
  • X Ascocenda
Description

Vandas are epiphytic, tropical herbaceous perennials in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and the Pacific. In their native habitat, vandas grow on trees, shrubs and rocky outcrops in wet or seasonally dry forests. The genus name is the Sanskrit name for one of the species.

As cultivated plants, vandas grow best in bright, indirect light, ideally a south-facing window or a bright greenhouse.  For strap-leaf species and hybrids (see below) 3,000 to 5,000 fc should be sufficient (full, direct sunlight is approximately 10,000 fc by comparison).  In warm climates, they enjoy being outdoors during the summer in dappled sunlight. They require high humidity and may need multiple waterings per day in summer months. Use a quick-draining, fast-drying medium such as kiln-fired products, lava rock, coarse potted bark, or an open basket with no medium at all. Vandas put out numerous, thick, aerial roots that cannot be confined to pots. The roots should not be trimmed, as they are vital for taking up nutrients and water and for photosynthesis.

All vandas have monopodial growth, meaning they grow upright from a single stem, producing new leaves every year. Flower spikes emerge from the axils of the leaves. The flowers are usually large, long-lasting and showy, with small lips. Some species (and their hybrids) are fragrant. 

There are 90 species of vanda in nature, from which thousands of hybrids have been created. Most of the plants in the nursery trade are hybrids. Vanda has been crossed with related genera to produce intergeneric hybrids such as Aeridovanda (= Aerides × Vanda), Aranda (= Arachnis × Vanda), Hawaiiara (= Renanthera × Vanda × Vandopsis), Holttumara (= Arachnis × Renanthera × Vanda), Renantanda (= Renanthera × Vanda) and Yapara (= Phalaenopsis × Rhynchostylis × Vanda). Hybrids previously known as Ascocenda (= Ascocentrum × Vanda) are Vanda because the genus Ascocenda is now treated as a synonym of Vanda. These hybrids are popular, as the former Ascocetrum species (V. ampullacea and V. curvifolia) imparted bright colors and a dwarf habit to their hybrid offspring. The intergeneric hybrid Mokara (= Arachnis x Ascocentrum x Vanda) is a popular outdoor bedding plant in the tropics, but it is now included in Aranda (= Arachnis × Vanda). 

Species with pencil-like, terete (round in cross-section) leaves were formerly included in the genus Vanda and much used in vanda hybrids, namely the semi-terete hybrids. They are now placed in the genus Papilionanthe. Their hybrids with Vanda are Papilionanda.

Quick ID hints:

  • Erect, upright growing stem
  • Linear, folded leaves with a leathery feel
  • Thick, waxy, brightly colored flowers with large tepals and small lips

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Most of the diseases affecting vandas are rots related to excess water being allowed to stay on the leaves and flowers or when poor drainage is present. Thrips can destroy flower buds while the buds are still enclosed by bracts. 

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Vanda corulea
    A famous species with blue-reticulate flowers.
  • Vanda sanderiana
    A species with pinkish tan petals & dorsal sepal with darker lateral sepals. Much used in hybridizing.
Vanda corulea, Vanda sanderiana
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#houseplant#frost tender#interiorscape#hanging baskets#dappled shade#long-lasting flowers#herbaceous perennial#orchid#partial shade tolerant#tropical#container plant#hsc#hsc-fl#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Vanda corulea
    A famous species with blue-reticulate flowers.
  • Vanda sanderiana
    A species with pinkish tan petals & dorsal sepal with darker lateral sepals. Much used in hybridizing.
Vanda corulea, Vanda sanderiana
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#houseplant#frost tender#interiorscape#hanging baskets#dappled shade#long-lasting flowers#herbaceous perennial#orchid#partial shade tolerant#tropical#container plant#hsc#hsc-fl#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vanda
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and Subtropical Asia
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Unbranched inflorescence emerge from 1-2 year old leaf axils, the flowers alternating up the stem. The flowers are heavy, thick, and waxy with short lips. They bloom every few months and the flowers last a little over a month. Colors vary widely, and the size can range from 1" to 5" in diameter.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves in this genus are linear, alternate, bifold, and have a leathery feel. Depending on the species, the thick leaves can range anywhere from 3 inches to 2 feet in length.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems may have white speckles.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Rock Wall
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity