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- United States
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- Every April 16
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National Orchid Day blossoms every April 16, celebrating one of the world’s largest and most diverse families of flowering plants. With their vibrant colors and unique shapes, orchids captivate enthusiasts globally. Plant an orchid, visit a botanical garden, or share your favorite bloom on social media.
Want to sponsor National Orchid Day? Learn how
Expected National Orchid Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows florists and garden centers often feature special offers on orchids. Look for discounts at retailers like The Home Depot and Lowe’s. Specialty nurseries such as OrchidWeb and online florists like 1-800-Flowers often run deals. Many local flower shops, including those affiliated with FTD, may offer bundles. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 16 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Orchid Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalOrchidDay. Share stunning photos of your orchid collection, a new bloom, or a visit to a botanical garden.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalOrchidDay. Post about your favorite orchid species, care tips, or local orchid society events.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalOrchidDay. Film a quick ‘orchid tour’ of your home, a time-lapse of a bloom opening, or a tutorial on orchid repotting.
National Orchid Day Hero
Carl Linnaeus
History of National Orchid Day
Orchids – belonging to the family Orchidaceae – are a widespread family of flowering plants, with colorful and fragrant blooms. National Orchid day was created in 2015 by a South Carolina couple, Mike and Faith Young, in remembrance of their daughter who passed away the previous year.
The couple fell in love with orchids while both volunteering at an orchid reserve in Mexico, so much that they decided that if they were ever to have a daughter, they would name her ‘Orchid’. They did have a daughter, but, unfortunately, lost her during labor.
After this loss, the couple wanted to do something to honor the day and celebrate the memory of their late daughter with their favorite flower. So, they went ahead to create a kickstarter campaign to get the money required in order to register the day. They offered pre-orders of their backyard honey — The Humble Bumbles Honey — and within hours of commencing, raised the required $1,500 and got National Orchid Day registered.
Since then, the day has gained widespread recognition from orchid growers, enthusiasts, and botanical gardens. With so many varieties to choose from, anyone can enjoy the beauty of orchids from home or by visiting botanical gardens around the world.
For the rest of their lives, Mike and Faith say they will be caring for and spreading awareness about Orchids. They believe in having a National Orchid Day dedicated to the beautiful lives lost, people everywhere will appreciate orchids some more, and their little girl will feel the warmth of those that think of Orchids that day.
National Orchid Day timeline
Charles Darwin publishes his book “Fertilization of Orchids,” where he describes the complex mechanisms that orchids have evolved to achieve cross-pollination.
A tropical species of the orchid is introduced into cultivation.
Mike and Faith Young volunteer at an orchid reserve in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.
Bulbophyllum nocturnum — a species of epiphytic orchid that grows in New Britain — is discovered to flower nocturnally.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Orchid Day
Local florists and garden centers can host special orchid workshops or offer discounts on various orchid species and care supplies. Coffee shops might decorate with orchids or offer a special ‘orchid-inspired’ drink. Home decor stores can create displays featuring orchids as elegant accents. Businesses can also partner with local botanical gardens or orchid societies for educational events or fundraisers, highlighting the beauty and diversity of these remarkable plants.
National Orchid Day FAQs
When is National Orchid Day?
In 2027, National Orchid Day will be observed on Friday, April 16. This year’s observance provides a beautiful way to kick off the weekend with floral elegance.
How many species of orchids are there?
The orchid family (Orchidaceae) boasts over 28,000 known species, making it second only to the daisy family in size. New species are still being discovered regularly, highlighting their vast biological richness.
Are orchids hard to care for?
The perception that orchids are difficult to grow is often a myth, especially for common varieties. Most orchids require specific, but not overly complex, care routines that can be easily mastered with a little research and attention to their unique needs.
What is the rarest orchid species?
The Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum), native to Borneo, is another extremely rare and highly prized species. Its distinctive striped petals and long ‘whiskers’ make it a sought-after, yet protected, botanical treasure.
National Orchid Day Activities
Enjoy a cup of orchid tea
Certain types of wild orchids are edible and can be used to make tea. This is a perfect day to experience and savor the tastefulness of one.
Host an orchid-themed garden party
Gather your friends and family around to partake in your garden party that is orchid-themed. You can be sure to have all the fun there is.
Take pictures of orchids and share them
Equip yourself with a smartphone or digital camera, and take some beautiful pictures of orchids around you or at the places where they can be found. Do well to share these pictures with the world so they can see just how lovely these flowers are.
5 Facts About Orchids That Will Amaze You
They are ancient flowers
Orchids are one of the oldest families of flowering plants.
They take a long time to bloom
Orchids can take up to seven years to bloom once they’ve been germinated.
They exist for several decades
Orchids can live up to a hundred years and beyond.
They have numerous seeds
An orchid seed pod can contain up to three million seeds.
They have extreme weights
The largest orchid weighs several hundred pounds, while the smallest is about the size of a U.S dime.
Why We Love National Orchid Day
It helps us remember loved ones
A day that serves as a reminder of the need to appreciate, love, and cherish the people we hold dear.
It connects us
We all can relate to losing a loved one at some point or the other. This day helps us all recognize our mutual feelings and connect with one another, celebrating the lives lived by them.
It shows us how to better handle loss
The brilliant way the founding couple of the day turned their loss into a celebration of life and nature encourages us all to do likewise. It enlightens us on the better way to handle the loss of loved ones.
Social Media Tips for National Orchid Day
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