We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Grow Vanilla?

By Jack Magnus
Updated: May 17, 2024

A vanilla orchid can be grown outdoors or indoors under the right conditions. To grow vanilla, one needs a cutting from a plant, because this plant is not usually grown from seed. Vanilla plants should be kept moist and require a hot and humid environment.

A cutting from the stem of a plant — a cutting with at least two nodes on it — is necessary to grow vanilla. Seeds are not available for this plant. To prepare a cutting for planting, it should be immersed in water for about 10 minutes. Then the end of the stem containing the nodes should be left soaking in water for three to five days.

After this, the cutting is planted with the bottom of the nodes lying flat on the soil. The rest of the stem should be propped upright and supported by a stake. Soil that is not dense, such as a good orchid potting soil or sphagnum moss, is the best medium in which to grow vanilla. If the plant is growing outdoors, manure also can be used in the mix. Mulch or compost should be placed around the plant to ensure that it does not dry out.

The vanilla orchid is a climbing orchid and requires support, which can be a tree, wall or trellis. It also needs shade for at least a half day and can thrive, in some instances, in full shade. A plant can grow from 5 feet (1.5 meters) to 50 feet (15.2 meters) long, depending on the variety of vanilla. This climbing orchid is flexible and can be coiled to keep the length manageable and the entire plant sheltered. When plans are made to grow vanilla indoors, a means of exposing it to humidity also should be considered.

These orchids need soil that is moist and well drained. The roots can be susceptible to disease if a dense, or overly damp, soil is used. Minimum temperatures for cultivation range between 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius), depending on the variety. A vanilla plant cannot be left out in the winter except in tropical conditions, and it is not frost resistant.

Flowering begins when the vanilla plant reaches maturity, in about three years. Each flower opens for one day and must be pollinated while there is daylight. Vanilla flowers in the wild are pollinated by insects and hummingbirds, but they are usually pollinated by hand for commercial or home growing. Blooms do not all open on the same day, so pollination can be spread out over some time.

The bean pods begin to grow soon after pollination and take about nine months to ripen. They turn yellow when they are ready to be picked and dried. A fully dried vanilla pod will be black. The beans are then removed from the pods and can be used in extracts or directly in some recipes. If one decides to grow vanilla, he or she should be aware that touching the plant or the pods can cause skin irritation.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-grow-vanilla.htm
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.