10 Practical + Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Orchid Lovers

Struggling to find a gift for someone who adores orchids? Do you wanna gift a plant or practical accessories like fertilizer, potting mixes, or plant supplements? Or maybe just a decorative pot or book?

Maybe you’re choosing for your partner, friend, family, or acquaintance, I know it’s overwhelming to get a meaningful yet practical gift! Especially if you know nothing about plants.

Here, I’ll try to help you by sharing gift ideas that are unique, useful, aesthetically pleasing, and suit the recipient’s passion for orchids. Combining practicality with beauty will definitely bring a smile to their face!

If you’re shopping for a beginner who’s just starting their journey or a seasoned grower with an impressive collection, I’ve covered options for all.

Let’s get started.

1. Gift a Classic Healthy Orchid

Is there anything better than a new plant? Perhaps not, but selecting the right one is essential. If your loved one is starting a new hobby of growing orchids, any healthy variety will surely bring them joy. 

But if the receiver is an experienced orchid grower and has a collection, consider gifting something unique that complements their orchid care routine. It’ll be more practical!

You can buy an orchid online or through a local nursery pr Kroger but make sure the plant is healthy before buying it. I always look for the following signs to identify a healthy orchid plant. 

• Orchid leaves are rubbery, firm, green with no discoloration
• The potting mix is slightly moist with no muddy or dry parts
• Roots are white and shiny with green tips
• Look closely and check that the orchid plant is free from pests

Some signs of unhealthy orchids are yellow, white, torn, or damaged leaves. The tips of the leaves may turn reddish if they are suffering from sunburn. Also, don’t buy if you notice brown roots, any sunken splotches, or leaf blemishes.

Phalaenopsis orchids, also known as moth orchids, can be a good fit as a gift for your friend or family for three main reasons: 

• They brighten up the mood and the place.
• For beginners, they’re easiest to grow.
• They are relatively forgiving and come under the category of low-maintenance plants.

Moth orchids also emit delightful fragrances at sunrise. The flower may be white, pink, yellow, or purple and bloom every six months. Phals live about 15 years if rightly cared for. 

I have many friends who adore my orchids, so on special occasions, I gift them Phals and Vandas. Recently, I bought a Phalaenopsis online, and its quality surprised me. It was a beautiful pure white orchid, the potting mix was good, and overall the plant was healthy. You should give it a try if you prefer online stores. 

Dendrobium is another variety that every orchid lover would love to have. Although it needs little maintenance and care, its beauty will be worth every effort. They are native to Asia and the Pacific, and more than 1500 species of Dendrobium are known. 

They come in shades of white, yellow, pink, purple, orange, or green, depending upon their type. In some plants, the flowers bloom from all parts of the stem, while others grow from the top.

A fun fact is that the old Dendrobium flowers might produce a structure called keikis which can be used to grow new orchid plants. Moreover, they are pretty fragrant on sunny days. 

But some varieties of Den can go dormant in the fall and drop their leaves. Therefore, I advise you to buy them in the summer or spring to see their full bloom. 

For example, this Dendrobium was grown by orchid experts in a sustainable condition where they use recycled water and minimal resources. 

If you have never bought an orchid before, or you are confused about what to buy, a great alternative is to give them gift cards (vouchers) from their favorite orchid nursery. As an orchid lover myself, I know it would melt their hearts. 

Apart from that, you can also gift Miniature Orchids, which is a perfect option for small spaces. They come in 2-3 inches pots and also look great in terrariums, which are basically like a mini garden in a glass jar. 

The plant and soil provide moisture which gets trapped in the glass, eventually coming back to the soil. Thus, it creates a greenhouse for plants. Terrariums are self-nourishing ecosystems and are low maintenance. Therefore, they are ideal for busy bees. 

There are only a few varieties of orchids that are suitable for Terrariums. The ones that are moisture-loving, such as Masdevallia, Macodes sanderiana, Aerangis, Macodes petola, Platystele, Dracula, Tolumnia, Phalaenopsis, Angraecum, and Lepanthes. 

You can surprise someone special with a miniature orchid that’s pleasant to the eyes, relax the mind, and bring a smile to face. As an orchid hobbyist, I highly recommend it as a gift to your family, close friends, or anyone interested in plants.

2. Visit a local Orchid Nursery or Show

As orchid lovers like to pick their plants, it would be nice to take your friend or family to the orchid nursery or botanical garden or maybe Publix. Your dear ones will choose their favorite orchid while creating lasting memories. 

Even if they don’t purchase a plant, it would be a nice gesture to explore some orchids together. You must make some effort to show your respect and love for their hobby.

Another great idea is to search for local orchid societies near you. These societies often host orchid shows, seasonal exhibitions, or annual displays. If there’s a show, I advise you to grab a ticket and turn gift-giving into a shared experience.

3. Decorative Ceramic Planter

If your hunt for the perfect gift for orchid lovers hasn’t finished yet, keep reading as I have lots of ideas. If your dear one is an experienced orchid grower, next on the list is giving them a ceramic planter. Pots are always welcome.  

While shopping for a ceramic pot, look for the following properties:

• The presence of transparent plastic inside the pot. It makes root and potting media inspection easy.
• Multiple drainage holes to prevent root rot.
• Ensure aeration and drainage.
• Spacious enough to not damage the orchids.
• Proper size to prevent roots from getting bound to pot.
• Sterilized and cleaned.

The appeal of plastic transparent pots is limited, so I plop them into decorative ceramic ones. It’s pretty tricky to find both in proper complementing sizes.

To solve this issue, a double-layer pot is a great option as it looks aesthetic outside and excellent in terms of function. 

The ones from Meshpot are specifically designed for orchids. The inside polypropylene pot has drainage holes, promotes airflow, and prevents root rot. The outer pot is decent and aesthetic and will complement any color of furniture. The product is an ideal gift for orchid lovers and will indeed make your loved one happy. 

Moreover, you can also gift traditional pots for orchids. They come in clay, terracotta, or ceramic with different designs and colors. A standard four to six-inch pot with drainage holes is suitable for gifting. 

The size of the planter should be according to specific plant growth. However, you can go with a slightly bigger size, and the recipient can mold it using plastic inside. I would suggest subtle earth-tone colors for pots as they will look more decent. 

Orchid growers always welcome pots. You can explore florist shops, garden stores, departmental stores, or local nurseries to find unique pots that complement your loved ones’ tastes.  

4. Grow Lights for Indoor Orchids

Grow lights are a great gift I once received from my sister. And I can’t thank her enough for it. It’s a fabulous gift, especially when you know your special ones are struggling to provide enough light for their orchids.

I always keep some of my plants on grow lights, and the gift from my sis was quite thoughtful. There are several brands and products in the market, but I have good experience with artificial bulbs and strip lights. 

Orchids are sensitive to temperature changes, and sudden shifting of temperature stresses them. They prefer moderate to bright but indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight will damage its leaves. So, it’s best to place an orchid near an east or west-facing window. 

Artificial lights are an excellent alternative for light-deficient indoor plants. They provide the light needed for photosynthesis and growth, and even distribution is good for their health.

Bulb lights are best for an orchid placed in a particular position. But for the collection of plants that are usually placed on the shelf, I recommend strip lights. 

Traditional light sources such as Fluorescent lamps, metal halide lamps, and high-pressure sodium lights are good but come with some limitations. With technological advancement, there are better options in the market, such as LED grow lights. Their light spectrum is broad, produces less heat, is energy efficient, and is excellent for sensitive orchids.

5. Fertilizers and Supplements

Every orchid grower wants to see blooms on their plant. There are multiple contributing factors, such as sunlight, temperature conditions, water requirements, and, most importantly, food. You can help your loved ones achieve their goal by gifting them the right fertilizers. 

Orchids are not heavy feeders but require a careful amount of essential nutrients. Every grower has their fertilizer regime preferences. Some choose not to feed at all. 

But if you are sure about the recipient choices, I recommend giving them what they like. Otherwise, gifting supplements is a safe bet, as they can be paired with any fertilizer. Something like Quantum Orchid. It is a probiotic with natural microbes. It promotes healthy roots, growth, and vigor of the plant. 

The same goes for potting mix. The person you are shopping for has his preferences, so don’t just buy anything you find in a garden store. I advise you to get a general idea about what brands the recipient is using. 

So the first option on my recommendation list is Spagmoss from Besgrow. Moreover, you can also get them a good quality bark. I use organic bark from the local nursery in my area. Both of these seem simple gifts, but are something that every orchid grower needs and loves to receive. 

For fertilizers, I prefer MSU 13-3-15 and MSU k-lite, which contain all essential macro and micronutrients. If you want to go for other brands, check the ingredient list and go for the one that has both macro and micro-nutrients. 

Apart from that, another supplement that I have tried that works amazingly for the flowering, vigor, and overall health of orchids is CalMag. A healthy orchid is more resistant to pests and plant diseases; therefore, I prefer to give it to my plant from May to October. 

Micronutrients are also necessary for plants as much as macronutrients. I usually prefer fertilizers that have both micro and macronutrients, but I do use MaxSea from May to October specifically, as it’s an active growth and blooming period for orchids. MaxSea is an algae-based fertilizer with quite a unique composition. 

6. Hanging Orchid Basket

Another popular item that would be a great gift for orchid lovers is the Hanging orchid basket. These are specifically designed for orchids to promote air circulation and drainage. I usually get them for my Vanda orchids. They prefer an outdoor environment with a lot of ventilation.

Panwa bamboo basket is suitable for all varieties of orchids. So even if you don’t know what varieties the recipient owns, you can give it without hesitation. Trust me this is best both in terms of appearance and functionality. It is enough to melt the heart of your special one!

7. Wild Orchid Scented Candles 

Didn’t find a perfect gift yet? Our list is not finished yet. Apart from plant accessories, your loved ones might like botanical-inspired scents that evoke the beauty and tranquility of orchids.

Orchid-scented candles are a small retreat that’ll bring orchids essence to everyday lives and improve their overall health. The gentle fragrance of orchids helps to relax and reduce stress, and scented candles are the best source of it. 

8. Book: The Orchid Whisperer

When you can’t decide what to give to your orchid-lover acquaintance or friend, books are a satisfying gift, whether the receiver is a beginner or a seasoned orchid grower. 

These days, the majority of people read online, but I believe they’re still a treasure. They contain authentic information that will help in the long run of growing the orchids.

From modern to vintage volumes, there’s plenty of work on orchids. There is a popular award-winning book I read in the library named “The Orchid Whisperer,” written by Bruce Rogers. 

Another classic and one of my favorites is “The Brazilian Bifoliate Cattleyas and Their Color Varieties’ by J. A Fowlie’s. It has charming botanical illustrations, and it’s more like a visual guide to orchids. I don’t think they are selling it anymore but if you find it, it’s a gem for vintage lovers. 

9. Bohemian Plant Pot Mats

One of the most common issues an orchid grower faces is a little mess on the table, desk, or shelf. Whether it’s dirt or water, we have to wipe out the surface once in a while.

So, I think pot mats are a lifesaver. And I am sure it’s something that every plant grower would love to have. You can buy it from any department store, but I like the quality of Morning View bohemian plant pot mats. 

These are absorbent and an ideal solution for mess. These look trendy and unique and provide safety to the surfaces too. Their upper surface is made of absorbent polyethylene material, and the lower is made of rubber, so there’ll be no scratching and grip issues. 

10. Restorative Leaf Shine Wipes

Sometimes, a gift can be simple but should have great value. Leaf shine wipes might be considered basic, but a busy plant grower will be flying high receiving them.

Keeping a plant requires lots of effort. Maintaining its habitat, vital conditions, and, most importantly, keeping it clean is a huge task. Dirt, water stains, and calcium build-ups on the leaves make the plant lose its charm. So, once in a while, these buddies need to be thoroughly cleaned. 

Even if you can’t help your orchid lover, friend, or family, you can always ease their burden by giving them something useful, such as botanical wipes. People don’t have time to do the DIY cleaning processes, so they might prefer the available quality products.

Restorative leaf shine wipes from Southside Plants can be used for all kinds of plants. The recipient can use them on orchid leaves or any plants in their collection. 

Still Looking for More?

If something hasn’t caught your eyes yet, here are some more ideas:

• Orchid care kits that include multiple tools like pruning scissors, fertilizers, and more.
• Humidity trays
• Orchid stands and shelves
• Macramé hangers for orchids
• Moss poles or mounts
• Orchid journals, care courses, or community memberships
• Orchid artwork or prints (Watercolor or impasto-style orchid prints by artists like Sarah Martinez or Olga Volosyanaya).
• Orchid themed jewelry
• Orchid motif tea sets or mugs

Personalized Touches for the Perfect Gift 

Now comes the last step. Giving a gift is not enough. You should add a personalized touch to improve the overall gifting experience. 

Choose good wrapping material as it reflects that you have spent effort and time on it. It’ll make your gift look more special.

Plus, who doesn’t like unwrapping a beautifully packed gift? It adds an element of delight and surprise for both the recipient and you.  Moreover, you can always go extra for expressing your love such as adding a heartwarming personalised note on the gift.  

Remember, there is no shame in expressing your emotions for your loved ones. Make this gifting experience memorable for both sides of the party. 

FAQs

Summing Up

I hope after reading my list, you can easily select a gift for your loved ones and appreciate their love for orchids. From a unique orchid plant to fertilizers, potting mixes, or other accessories, celebrate their passion for orchids with a heartwarming gift.

I’ve tried to add diverse options in terms of budget and the level of expertise of the recipient. If you guys have more ideas about meaningful and memorable gifts, share your thoughts in the comments below!