Thursday 3 September 2026 is International Day of the Orchid. On this day, we celebrate the beauty and diversity of orchids around the world. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at these fascinating plants! Will you be celebrating International Day of the Orchid with us?

 

International Day of the Orchid 2026

The orchid is often referred to as the queen of the plant kingdom. It’s a truly special plant that deserves a day of its own. That’s why, since 2012, International Day of the Orchid has been celebrated every year on the first Thursday of September, putting the orchid and all its beauty and versatility in the spotlight.

 

25,000 orchid species

Did you know that there are more than 25,000 species of orchids worldwide? And new orchids are still being discovered! The butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis) is the best-known variety, but there are so many more. Think of the tiger orchid (Oncidium), Vanda, pansy orchid (Miltonia), Dendrobium and slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum).

Orchids also come in an incredible range of colours, from white to deep shades of purple and everything in between. Some varieties even feature striped patterns or tiger-like markings. Whatever you can imagine, there’s probably an orchid to match!

 

 

Easy to care for

Another bonus: orchids are easy to care for. It’s relatively simple to keep your orchid healthy and looking beautiful, so you can enjoy it for a long time. The most important thing is to place your orchid somewhere with plenty of daylight, but away from direct sunlight. You only need to water it once a week by placing the plant in water for around 5 – 10 minutes. Let it drain thoroughly, and it’s ready to go back to its spot.

 

Also read: How to keep your orchid in perfect condition

 

Beauty that lasts

As well as their elegant appearance, incredible diversity and easy care, orchids also have an impressively long flowering period. They can easily flower for six to eight weeks, and some varieties even bloom for several months. So, as well as being a low-maintenance plant, the orchid is also a wonderfully rewarding one!