Vanilla Planifolia, commonly called Vanilla, is a species of vanilla orchid. It is native to Mexico and Central America, and is a tropical plant that prefers a warm and humid climate. The recommended growing temperatures are in the range of 80 - 85 ºF in daytime and 60 - 65 ºF at night.
 
Interestingly, Vanilla Planifolia is one of the primary sources for vanilla flavouring, due to its high vanillin content. Therefore, it is grown for commercial use mostly. When blooming, the flowers are greenish-yellow, with a diameter of 2". Once flowering occurs, a flower must be pollinated in order for fruit to develop. What is even more interesting is that Vanilla Planifolia is the only orchid that produces an edible fruit!

Vanilla Planifolia's flowers are short-lived, but produced in succession so that you can enjoy the beauty for weeks at a time.