Orchids — Orchidaceae

Most orchids are pet-safe. Of the 443 orchids we cover, 408 are non-toxic on the ASPCA list and 35 carry a toxic or mildly-toxic rating. Even in a mostly-safe family, confirm the individual species before trusting it around pets.

Most orchids want bright, indirect light — 273 of the 443 in our library do best there. If yours stretches toward the window or loses its variegation it needs more light; scorched or bleached leaves mean it is getting too much.

Orchids are moderate to grow: the one real requirement is a genuinely bright spot out of harsh midday sun. Get the light right and most of the rest of their care follows.

The Orchidaceae family — the orchids — groups 443 species across 43 genera in the Growli library, most prominently Masdevallia, Dendrobium, Cattleya. Members share a broadly similar light, water and soil pattern, which is why it pays to learn the family before the individual plant.