There are approximately 20 species in this genus. This is an unusual genus because these orchids are vines. The Mexican Vanilla planifollia is the most common type. Vanilla is terrestrial and epiphytic. Terrestrial means growing on the ground with soil.
Epiphytes have aerial roots which dangle and reach for nutrients.
Vanilla likes a humus-laden medium. Vanilla likes high, strong light. Grow them with cattleyas. They like a rich, humus compost. You can use a mixture of peat moss and fine bark.