What Is the Difference Between a Dendrobium & Phalaenopsis Orchid?

Origins and USDA Zones

• While both dendrobium and phalaenopsis orchids, or moth orchids, need bright indirect light, they grow in different climates outdoors. Dendrobium orchids, which are native from Japan, to the Himalayas, to Australia, to the Pacific Islands, grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 12. Moth orchids, considered a tropical orchid, grow in USDA zones 10 through 12 and are native to southeast Asia, the Philippines, New Guinea and northern Australia.

Species and Hybrids

• Dendrobium orchids have almost 1,400 species and as many or more hybrids, with different growing habits and needs for most. They generally fall into two groups: the evergreen types that need water throughout the year and the cool growing types that need little water during their winter dormant period. Varieties and hybrids of moth orchids differ somewhat in their height and in their colors, but the varieties available are not as numerous as those of dendrobiums.

Appearances

• Dendrobium orchids do vary, but they share some characteristics: all have pseudobulbs, above-ground stems that also store nutrients like bulbs do underground; they have leaves growing all along the stems; and they have flowers in seven colors with intricate, often dangling shapes. Instead of pseudobulbs, moth orchids have thick, wide leaves. Moth orchid flowers have a flat and wide shape and a more limited range of colors, coming in white, cream or light lavender, with some spotting or contrasts.

Temperatures

• Evergreen and cool-season dendrobiums and moth orchids all differ in the kinds of temperatures they need. Nighttime temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit work best for cool-growing dendrobiums, temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit work best for evergreen dendrobiums and 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable temperatures for moth orchids. During the daytime, cool-growing dendrobiums prefer temperatures of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, evergreen dendrobiums prefer 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and moth orchids prefer 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.