Why are orchids rare?

Orchids are actually not that rare. There are around 28,000 known species of orchid. It’s just that they’re very picky about their growing conditions and need them to be met if they’re to thrive.  

Because of this, they were once quite difficult to grow at home. However, with the advent of better potting mixes and more knowledge about their care requirements, they’re becoming much more common in the home.