Can You Grow Orchids Outdoors? Everything You Need To Know

If you’re interested in growing orchids outdoors, correctly choosing the right species for your growing environment is crucial. Orchids hail from both temperate and tropical regions around the world. So it’s likely that you can find a species suited for living at least part-time outside in your climate.

In this guide, we’ll cover the Orchidaceae family. We’ll also discuss their various growing regions and then cover what you need to know about growing orchids outdoors.

Let’s get to it!

Orchids: Botanical Classification

Orchids have evolved to grow in the soil, clinging to rocks and attached to tree bark. They can thrive in various environments, from tropical to temperate regions, and inhabit every continent on Earth except Antarctica. Many species are masters of deception, luring their pollinators through blooms that mimic insects. Others produce intoxicating fragrances to attract their pollinators, while others still rely on vivid colors.

While orchids emerged on our planet as terrestrial plants, they have mainly evolved to inhabit arboreal spaces as epiphytes. Today, epiphytic orchids make up 80% of the 28,000 currently known species. And the majority of these epiphytes live in tropical environments. Some species of epiphytes also grow in temperate environments. You’re more likely to see terrestrial species thriving in this climate, as they can insulate themselves better from the cold.

Growing Orchids Outdoors: What Climates Are Suitable?

If you’re interested in growing orchids outdoors, the first thing you’ll need to do is confirm the species you want to grow is compatible with your region’s climate. When talking about growing outdoors, it’s best to categorize orchids into three general groups: tropical, subtropical, and temperate orchids.

Remember, you’ll not only need to mimic the temperature requirements of the orchids’ native climate but also choose growing locations with suitable light and provide adequate watering and proper fertilizing.

Growing Orchids Outdoors: Tropical Orchids

The tropics are situated across roughly the middle of the globe and are defined by having winter daytime averages no cooler than 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime temps average year-round between 77-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is high year-round, although winters are often dry and summers are wet.

The majority of native and cultivated species require a tropical climate to survive. Tropical orchids are currently the most sought-after and widely cultivated. For example, orchids in the Phalaenopsis genus are both native to the tropics and belong to one of the most popular and widely cultivated orchid genera.

If you want to grow tropical orchids like phals outside, you can only do so year-round if you live in a tropical climate. If you live outside of this climate zone, you’ll need to bring your orchid plants inside once the temperatures dip below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Subtropical Orchids

The geographical regions directly above and below the tropics are the subtropics. This zone experiences moderate-to-high humidity, warm summer months, and relatively mild winters. They tend to also experience heavy rainfall during the summer and drier winters. Average summer day temperatures fall between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter averages do not fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Although winter temperatures tend to average closer to 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Orchids in this category usually experience winter dormancy and can survive insulated under a layer of leaf litter down to freezing temperatures.

Depending on your species of subtropical orchid, you may need to bring them inside once temperatures fall below about 50 degrees Fahrenheit or when temperatures hit freezing. This will depend on what altitude and environment the species natively grows in. Orchids from higher altitude subtropical environments will likely handle colder temperatures better than those from lowland regions.

Orchids in the Laelia genus are an example of high-altitude subtropical plants. Native to regions of Mexico and Brazil, they are cool-to-warm growing orchids that thrive on moderate humidity and survive by entering dormancy in areas that experience freezing during the winter. You can grow these plants year-round outside if your area does not fall more than a few degrees below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.

Growing Orchids Outdoors: Temperate Orchids

Temperate climate zones occur in the latitudes of the globe that span between the subtropics and the polar regions of the Earth. These climates typically experience moderate rainfall throughout the year with intermittent periods of drought. Compared to the tropics and subtropics, the temperate zone contains far fewer native species.

If you want to grow orchids outside year-round, you must ensure you’re growing a species native to your climate. Winter temperatures often fall below freezing, and species that can only handle temperatures above or right around freezing during the winter will not survive dormancy in this climate.

Cypripediums are an example of terrestrial orchids that are native to North America, including some species that inhabit Alaska. Orchids in this genus require 2-3 months of temperature exposure below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to trigger spring growth. Remember, you must mimic their natural environment by insulating the soil with a few inches of leaves to protect the roots from hard freezes. The gorgeous palomino lady’s slipper (Cypripedium yatabeanum) is an example of a cold-hardy species native to Alaska, the Russian Far East, and the cold regions of Northern Japan.