How to Grow Vanilla

Vanilla was first cultivated in Central America. It is a climbing orchid that grows in warm, humid conditions. You can grow it for fun, but since the beans will only set if the flowers are hand pollinated, and processing the vanilla bean for culinary use is a very complicated process, it makes more sense to buy your cooking vanilla from the store! Still, the plant really is fun to grow.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. There is something rather tickling about growing your own vanilla plant. It is exotic and not the easiest orchid to grow. It's not the hardest either. But if you can find a warm, reasonably humid area for it, you can grow it in a pot as a house plant. If you live in a year 'round steamy environment, you can grow it outdoors.

2. Vanilla plants like a very organic soil, so use lots of compost. Soil should not be allowed to dry out, nor should it be kept wet. Plants do well in bright light without sun. Offer them a post, pole, stake or even another tall growing plant to climb up. In the wild they will clamber up the trunks of trees.

3. 
    
   Vanilla flower courtesy of baobabs.com

   You can buy or order plants from specialized nurseries or on the internet. If you want to really challenge your 'green thumb' try growing a vanilla orchid plant.

[LilacGirl]

on 8/30/2008 I never thought of doing this before, but it sounds fun to try.

[krazigirl79]

on 8/30/2008 Oooh I LOVE vanilla! I didn't know I could grow my own beans, thanks!!!

[Cherst1031]

on 8/30/2008 Sounds cool, but it wouldn't survive in my climate :( Nice picture.