Turn your space into a tropical conversation piece with the Vanilla Bean Plant (Vanilla planifolia). This elegant climbing orchid delivers lush, glossy vines, creamy-yellow blooms, and the rare chance to grow your own vanilla pods at home. It’s as practical as it is beautiful.
Whether you trail it up a moss pole indoors or let it ramble along a shaded trellis outside in warm climates, the effect is unmistakably exotic. With patient care and simple hand-pollination, flowers can set pods that cure into the rich vanilla used in baking and beverages.
Vanilla Bean Plant Care
Give bright, indirect light: near an east or filtered south window indoors, or dappled sun outside. Aim for 6–8 hours of strong but diffused light; avoid harsh midday rays that can scorch leaves. Keep temperatures between 65–85°F (18–29°C) and humidity at 50–70% or higher; use a pebble tray or humidifier if air is dry. Plant in a chunky, free-draining orchid mix (bark + sphagnum + perlite), slightly acidic at about pH 5.5–6.5.
Water when the top inch feels barely dry—typically once or twice weekly in warm months and less in winter—then drain thoroughly. Feed every 2–4 weeks in spring through early fall with a diluted orchid fertilizer (¼–½ strength); flush with plain water monthly to prevent salt buildup.
Train stems onto a sturdy trellis or moss pole and gently loop mature vines to encourage flowering. Outside, grow year-round only in USDA Zones 10–12; in cooler zones, keep it as a houseplant or greenhouse specimen. For pods, hand-pollinate morning-open flowers; successful pods take 8–9 months to mature and require curing for their signature flavor.
Vanilla Bean Plant Spacing
Indoors, place 2–3 feet from a bright window or 12–18 inches beneath a grow light. Start in a 6–8 inch pot with excellent drainage; size up to a 10–12 inch, 10–12 inch deep container as roots and support expand. Provide a 4–6 foot trellis or moss pole initially (8–10+ feet long-term) and keep at least 6–12 inches of clearance from walls for airflow and easy training.
Outdoors in frost-free zones, set plants 24–36 inches from a fence or arbor and 3–4 feet apart if planting multiples. Tie vines every 6–8 inches and keep aerial roots in contact with a moist support. Avoid cold drafts and protect from wind.
Why Grow Vanilla Bean Plant?
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Grow real vanilla at home with a rewarding bloom-to-pod project.
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Vertical, space-smart greenery that climbs beautifully on poles and trellises.
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Fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers add tropical charm before pods form.
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Adaptable as a bright indoor houseplant or an outdoor vine in warm climates.
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Hands-on learning for gardeners and food lovers alike, from pollination to curing.
Bring home the Vanilla Bean Plant to elevate your greenery and your pantry. Train the vine, enjoy the blooms, and savor the satisfaction of crafting your own vanilla.
- SKU:
- EDB-TRO-VAN-LGL
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations