Mexican Vanilla
Vanilla mexicana
- Native to:
- Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © aamarchante (iNaturalist #225846957)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Genus:
- Vanilla
- Species:
- Vanilla mexicana
- USDA Symbol:
- VAME2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green, white
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers humid, tropical environments
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Vanilla species have dust-like seeds requiring mycorrhizal fungi for germination; typically propagated vegetatively.