How to Grow Vanilla Planifolia

Vanilla planifolia is the only variety of orchid to produce fruit. The seed pod or vanilla bean is the origin of vanilla extract. Propagating vanilla from seeds is tedious and time-consuming, so it's best to purchase stem cuttings that are two to three feet long to grow the plants. After two or three years, when the vine has grown to 20 to 30 feet, the plant will produce clusters of 12 to 20 flowers.

One-gallon pot
Sphagnum moss
18 to 20 inch trellis or stake
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a one-gallon flower pot with drainage holes by loosely filling it with sphagnum moss or other moisture-retaining potting mixture.
- 2
  Plant the cutting in the pot with the sphagnum moss to a depth of two to three inches. Insert the trellis or stake, leaving about 15 inches above the soil. Wind the length of vine around the support to train the plant to climb the stake or trellis.
- 3
  Water the container until the moss is completely soaked. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
- 4
  Place your potted vanilla planifolia in a window that gets morning sun only. This is a tropical plant and will grow best in warmer temperatures (above 60 degrees) with humidity levels of 50 percent or higher. Mist the plant to simulate higher humidity and water after the moss has become dry to the touch.
- 5
  Fertilize sparingly, only every two months, using a balanced fertilizer. The packaging will specify three numbers. The first number denotes the percentage of nitrogen, the second the concentration of phosphorous and the third the potassium content. In a balanced fertilizer, these numbers will be identical, such as 10-10-10. Follow the label instructions carefully to determine the amount to use.

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