Vanilla Bean Plant

1. Planting: Vanilla plants are tropical orchids known for producing the vanilla bean, the popular spice used in culinary work. They require filtered sunlight or partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight exposure to minimize burn on the leaves.

Well-draining, aerated soil with organic matter such as bark is essential for their growth. For the best results, use well-draining soil and choose a location with filtered sunlight for your plant. An east-facing window is ideal.

Select a pot that's about twice the size of your plant's shipped container, use organic soil, and place your plant in its pot. Keep the humidity up around the plant by setting it on a water-filled pebble tray in its early stages. A light misting with a water bottle in the evenings is great for a more mature plant. Vanilla orchids in nature grow on the bark of trees, so providing support for your vanilla plant to grow is very important - use a stake or a pole to support your plant.

Note: When you receive your plant, you may notice small, white beads or rocks in the soil - this medium is added to increase drainage and keep your plant happy and healthy! 

2. Watering: Water once weekly with warm water until it comes out of the bottom of your pot. If you're not sure when to water, simply check the surrounding soil about 2 inches down.

3. Fertilizing: Potted plants need to be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season with a low concentration of fertilizer. The best results come from using a formula like 10-10-10 or an orchid fertilizer.

Vanilla plants will have a dormancy period, so you will notice slower or no growth at certain times of year.

Trees.com Pro Tip: to ensure bean pods hand pollinate the flowers with a small paintbrush. For best results pollinate the flowers within six hours of opening by using the paintbrush to spread the pollen around in the center of the flower.