Vanilla Planifolia Plant

Grow your own real vanilla. Vanilla planifolia is the climbing orchid that gives us true vanilla beans – the same species grown commercially in Madagascar, Mexico and Indonesia.

Cuttings from proven, fruiting vines

Our plants are grown from cuttings taken from mother plants that have already flowered and fruited. That means you're getting mature, proven material rather than a young plantlet, so it won't take much longer for your vine to flower and set beans with the right care.

Choose your size

• Medium (30–40cm) – $49: a good size to grow on and train up its first support.
• Large (60–90cm) – $99: a well-established vine with a real head start towards flowering.

About the plant

Vanilla is a vigorous vine with thick, fleshy leaves that can reach over 7 metres in the wild, but it's easily trained up a moss pole, post or trellis. Its fragrant, pale yellow-green flowers open for just one day each and need hand pollination to set beans – easy to learn, and a toothpick is all you need. The green pods take around 8–9 months to mature, then are cured into the aromatic vanilla beans used in baking, desserts and drinks.

Growing in New Zealand

Vanilla is tropical, so in most of NZ it's best grown indoors, in a sunroom or in a heated glasshouse. Give it bright, indirect light (no harsh afternoon sun), warmth and humidity, and a free-draining orchid-style mix kept lightly moist. Protect from frost and cold – ideally keep it above 15°C. Feed lightly and often through the warmer months.