Orchid Mix Guide - How to Find the Best Orchid Mix

Pristine Dendrobium Bloom

What orchid mix do I need?

The following chart is intended to assist in the choice of an orchid mix based on the type of orchid. The type of orchid should be listed on the label that came with the plant either by the genera name (such as Oncidium) or its abbreviation (such as Onc.) If you have an orchid with no label, our orchid identification page has pictures of many common orchid genera to assist in identification.


Some orchid mixes contain small particles and are best for seedlings and fine rooted orchids. Other mixes have medium to large size particles for thick rooted orchids. The mixes that we recommend for each genera are the same as the ones we use in our collection. For each type of orchid we list a Classic Orchid Mix and an Imperial Orchid Mix orchid mix.


Also see our Potting Mix Guide for other types of houseplants!



GeneraAbbrevRecommended Orchid Mixes
Angraecum
(Darwin's Orchid,
Star Orchid)
[Angcm.]Dendrobium Imperial Orchid Mix
Arudina
(Bamboo Orchid)
[Arudina]Jewel Orchid Classic Mix
Terrestrial Classic Orchid Mix
Brassia[Brs.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Brassavola[B.]Dendrobium Imperial Orchid Mix
Bulbophyllum[Bulb.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Catasetum[Ctsm.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Cattleya[C.]Cattleya Imperial Orchid Mix
Coelogyne[C.]Cattleya Imperial Orchid Mix
Cycnoches[Cyc.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Cymbidium[Cym.]Cymbidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Dendrobium[Den.]Dendrobium Imperial Orchid Mix
Doritaenopsis[Dtps.]Phalaenopsis AAA Gold Imperial Orchid Mix
Phalaenopsis Monterey Dark Imperial Orchid Mix
Encyclia[Enc.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Epidendrum[Epi.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Epiphyllum
('Cactus' Orchid)
 Jewel Orchid Classic Mix
Cactus and Succulent Classic Potting Mix
Laelia[L.]Cattleya Imperial Orchid Mix
Ludisia
(Jewel Orchid)
[Lds.]Jewel Orchid Classic Mix
Terrestrial Classic Orchid Mix
Lycaste[Lyc.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Masdevallia[Masd.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Maxillaria[Max.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Miltonia[Milt.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Neofinetia[Neof.]Phalaenopsis AAA Gold Imperial Orchid Mix
Odontoglossom[Odm.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Oncidium[Onc.]Oncidium Imperial Orchid Mix
Phaius
(Nun Orchid)
[Phaius]Jewel Orchid Classic Mix
Terrestrial Classic Orchid Mix
Paphiopedilum[Paph.]Paph and Phrag Imperial Orchid Mix
Phalaenopsis
(Moth Orchid,
'Ice' Orchid)
[Phal.]Phalaenopsis AAA Gold Imperial Orchid Mix
Phalaenopsis Monterey Dark Imperial Orchid Mix
Phragmipedium[Phrag.]Paph and Phrag Imperial Orchid Mix
Psychopsis[Psychp.]Paph and Phrag Imperial Orchid Mix
Sarcochilus[Sarco.]Paph and Phrag Imperial Orchid Mix
Sedirea[Sedirea.]Phalaenopsis AAA Gold Imperial Orchid Mix
Phalaenopsis Monterey Dark Imperial Orchid Mix
Sophronitis[Soph.]Cattleya Imperial Orchid Mix
Stanhopea[Stan.]Paph and Phrag Imperial Orchid Mix
Vanda[V.]Vanda Basket with Large Monterey Pine Bark
Vanilla[Vanilla]Jewel Orchid Classic Mix
Terrestrial Classic Orchid Mix
Zygopetalum[Z.]Cymbidium Imperial Orchid Mix

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