The Vanilla orchid

The main type harvested for vanillin is Vanilla planifolia. Even though it is native to Mexico, it is now extensively grown throughout the tropics. Madagascar is the world's largest producer, Additional sources include Vanilla pompona and Vanilla tahitiensis (grown in Tahiti), though the vanillin satisfied of these species is much less than Vanilla planifolia.

Vanilla grows as a vine, mountaineering up an existing tree, pole, or other support. It can be full-fledged in a wood (on trees), in a plantation (on trees or poles), or in a "shader", in increasing orders of productivity. Left alone, it will produce as high as possible on the support, with few flowers. Every year, growers fold the senior parts of the plant downwards so that the plant stays at heights accessible by a standing human. This also very much stimulate flowering.