San Francisco Orchid Society
Rare Orchid Species
in the Bay Area
Where to find unusual species, how to grow them in SF's climate, and how to connect with the collectors who know them best.
Why SF Is a Collector's Paradise
San Francisco's cool, foggy climate is uniquely suited to growing orchid genera that are nearly impossible to cultivate in most of the United States. Cloud-forest species from the Andes — Dracula, Masdevallia, Lepanthes — that struggle in warm climates thrive on SF windowsills. This gives Bay Area collectors access to a range of species that growers in Florida or Texas simply cannot grow without expensive climate control.
SFOS has a strong collector community with deep expertise in cool-growing species. Our annual shows regularly feature display plants representing dozens of genera beyond the standard Phalaenopsis and Cattleya.
Genera That Thrive in SF's Climate
Dracula
Cloud-forest miniatures from Ecuador and Colombia. SF's cool, foggy climate is nearly perfect — these are notoriously difficult in warm climates but thrive in the Bay Area.
Masdevallia
High-altitude Andean species that demand cool temperatures. One of the few genera that actually prefers San Francisco's summers to those of Los Angeles or the Central Valley.
Pleurothallis
The largest orchid genus, with thousands of species ranging from tiny to spectacular. Many are virtually unknown outside specialist collections.
Coelogyne
Asian cloud-forest orchids with cascading flower spikes. Several species produce intensely fragrant blooms in winter — a welcome surprise in a San Francisco apartment.
Bulbophyllum
The second-largest orchid genus, with bizarre and fascinating flowers. A favorite among collectors who appreciate the unusual.
Lepanthes
Tiny jewels from Central and South American cloud forests. Require high humidity and cool temperatures — conditions SF provides naturally.
Where to Find Rare Species in the Bay Area
The best source for rare species in the Bay Area is the SFOS community itself. Members regularly bring unusual plants to the monthly meeting table, and our annual Orchids in the Park show attracts specialty vendors who carry species unavailable at any local nursery.
SFOS membership also connects you to a network of collectors who trade divisions and seedlings — often the only way to acquire truly rare clones outside of specialist auctions.