If you are a traditional sort, a dozen red roses on Valentine's Day speaks directly to your sentimental side. If you are of the mindset that this romantic holiday should bring something with more lasting passion, however, then the orchid, with its wildly attractive blossoms and intoxicating fragrances, may fulfill that desire and more.

Widely considered the most exotic flowering plant on earth, and often equated with mystery, passion, and beauty, orchids have a rich, complex place in the collective history of gardening. They have enchanted and hypnotized aesthetes for thousands of years, and have been known to many different civilizations as a symbol of love, luxury and elegance.

Orchids make up the world's largest family of flowering plants, growing wild in almost every country in many different climates and environments, from mountainside to rain forest. While the orchid flower appears quite complex, it is actually extraordinarily simple.

Part of the endless fascination with orchids can be discovered in the mystical way in which they entice their unwitting pollinators to spread their seeds. Over time, each species has developed its own distinctly unique bloom based on the premise of romancing specific insects, such as moths or butterflies, for reproduction purposes. All orchids have three petals, two of which resemble a typical flower and a lower one functioning as a highly specialized landing platform for the curious flying insects, which unknowingly serve to propagate the orchid plant.

The most common orchids to thrive in the home include the Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid), the Paphiopedilum (Lady Slipper), Cattalya (often used in corsages), and Dendrobiums. Most orchids can be grown in your home successfully, with the right nurturing environment. If you follow the instructions that come with the plant for watering and fertilizing, temperature and humidity levels, and light and air movement, you should have remarkable results. Be sure to read the accompanying tag or label to learn what kind of orchid you own, as each species has its own unique needs.

Watering and fertilizing

Orchids are unlike other plant forms, in that most types do not grow in soil. Because the orchid is grown in a potting medium whose sole purpose is to quickly absorb and then drain, you may have a tendency to over-water it based on the assumption that it has dried out. Orchids actually need water only every seven to ten days, with regular fertilizing about every other watering or so. You can minimize the possibility of fertilizer damage to the orchid's roots by fertilizing only after you have watered the plant thoroughly.

Humidity and temperature

Orchids love humidity. If your home is cooled with refrigerated air, as opposed to a swamp-cooler type of air conditioner, then your indoor environment will tend to be dry. Consider placing your orchid in a room that is typically more humid than others, such as the bathroom or kitchen.

Contrary to popular belief, orchids do not thrive in extreme heat. Like most plants, they have a limit as to the amount of heat or cold they can tolerate. They generally grow best when there is a distinct temperature difference between day and night, and most species will not flower until a significant cool-down period (such as winter) triggers them to bloom.

Light and air movement

Each variety of orchids requires a different amount of light to ensure a healthy bloom. Follow the instructions that accompany your plant, but, in general, always shield your delicate orchid from direct sunlight. And, just like people, orchids have an extreme dislike for stagnant air, preferring instead a gentle breeze, like that created by an overhead fan, or fresh air from outdoors filtered through a screen door or window.

Blooming cycle

Assuming your Valentine gives you an orchid in full bloom, you can expect the flowers to stay full anywhere from two to six months if you care for the plant properly, keeping it out of direct sunlight and in a cool area. While they appear to be extremely complex and fragile plants, orchids are actually very tough and surprisingly resilient. Many of the varieties can be enjoyed in your home with repeat performances year after year.

So, if you can withhold your spring cleaning impulse to throw the plant away once the blooming cycle is complete, your patience will be rewarded at some unexpected point in the future with a spectacular show of flowers that bloom in rapid-fire succession, seemingly out of the blue. Once you have experienced your first intoxicating re-bloom, you will very likely join the legions of enthusiasts who for centuries have become passionate about discovering the mystery and allure of this exotic and elegant plant.