Get ready to make your orchids work for you by designing a professional-looking orchid display.
Especially if you’re an orchid grower, you may have a few orchids in bloom that are begging for you to show them off. Or, you may have an upcoming dinner or special occasion and you’d like to use orchids in your centerpiece. I’m in complete agreement with you.
Let’s talk about what makes successful centerpieces, some suggestions for containers for centerpieces, and, finally, let’s put some centerpieces together.
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A Successful Centerpiece
- Looks good from every angle
- Does not impede conversation
- May facilitate conversation “My, what a lovely and interesting centerpiece”
- Can double a gift for guests
- Is eye-catching
- Can be made ahead of time
- Is long-lasting
Containers for Centerpieces
- Serving dishes
- Silver
- Glass: mercury, seeded, colored, milk or clear
- Pedestal dishes
- Flat trays
- Baskets, bread, Native American
- Wood: box, cutting board, cheese board
Supplies You’ll Need to Create Your Arrangement
- Container. See the options above for ideas.
- Orchids. Groups of 3 look nice, though sometimes it only takes one. This Etsy Shop, Floralistic, delivers mini Phalaenopsis orchids in both 3-inch pots and mini Phalaenopsis orchids in 2-inch pots. You select the quantity and color of your orchids.
- Reindeer Moss. I love this top dressing. It’s soft and squishy, easy to use. If your centerpiece is large, you may need more than one bag. It comes is a multitude of colors.
- Air plants. Without pots or soil, air plants are an easy choice for finishing off your orchid centerpiece. A few popular examples are T. xerographica, T. tricolor v melanocrater, and T. peach capitata.
- Gravel. This will stabilize your orchid if you are using a kokedama
Tip: In this post I talk a lot about using orchids potted kokedama style. While this style is by no means a prerequisete for centerpiece orchids, they are fun. If you’d like to learn more, check out this post:
Orchid Centerpiece Using Serving Dishes
This ceramic serving dish is just the right size to hold three mini Phalaenopsis orchids. Topped with reindeer moss, this display will last for several months.
This narrow serving dish for three mini Phalaneopsis orchids. After setting the orchids in the dish, cover the base of the orchids with reindeer moss.
Orchid Centerpiece with Kokedama in Glass
This orchid kokedama centerpiece displayed in a trifle dish looks great from every angle. The slender orchid and glass container does not impede guests from seeing each other across the table.
Orchid Centerpiece: Tray with Orchids and Air Plants
Keep it simple. Sometimes just grouping the orchids on a tray is enough.
If you want to dress up your design, a simple way to do that is to add air plants. No potting or dirt is required with air plants. These air plants, T. melanocrater v tricolor show off red flowers. What could be easier? To add a little polish, top the orchid pots with a bit of preserved reindeer moss.
For an alternate view, use another variety of air plants. Pictured above T. peach capitata.
Orchid Centerpieces: More Is Sometimes Just More
This mini orchid couldn’t be simpler, or more colorful. The vibrant magenta flowers contrast with the robin egg blue ceramic pot. A touch of purple reindeer moss highlights the flowers.
A study on simplicity is these two kokedama orchid set in uniquely shaped dishes.
Tip: If you are using kokedama, fill the bottom with a shallow layer of gravel to stabilize the orchids.
Just a bit of gravel in the bottom of your dish will keep your kokedama upright and secure.
Safe and secure this kokedama orchid regally sits in its pot.
Your Turn
When designing your orchid centerpieces, keep in mind these three things: First, orchids are ideal because you can purchase and get them ready WAY in advance and you won’t have to worry about the flowers fading. You can put these together weeks before your event and they will only improve as more flowers open. Second, remember that the centerpiece should facilitate, not detract from the conversation. (That’s why I like mini orchids; they aren’t too tall.) And, third, be sure the centerpiece looks good from every direction. With these things in mind, your centerpieces are sure to be a hit. Orchid flowers tend to be long-lasting by nature and they are definitely eye-catching.
Buy Orchid Terrariums
If creating your own display just isn’t your cup of tea, click here to check out these orchid terrariums:
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19 Comments
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This was a lovely post. You have inspired me.
Thank you thank you Cheryl for your kind words!
Anna
You beautiful displays of orchids. Just love it. Thank you.
Anita
Thank you Anita!
It was great to hear from you!
Anna
In this post you’ve highlighted what I really love about orchids: their gorgeous simplicity. I especially love the arrangements with air plants and the kokedamas.
Nancy,
These centerpieces truly are a cinch to put together and look amazing. I couldn’t agree more – the simplicity of the arrangements brings out the natural elegance and beauty of the orchids. I’ve had A LOT of success with my phalaenopsis orchid potted kokedama style. They seem to really like it. The secret is the wiffle ball in the center that keeps the moss ball from holding too much water.
Warmest regards,
Anna
Simply beautiful..Thank you
Akinita,
Thank you so much!
Anna
Thanks for giving me some great ideas
Emma,
You are most welcome!
Anna
What great ideas. Can’t wait to try.
I absolutely love orchids and I am pleased to have found such a great source of information. I want to use some of my orchid ds to display in multiple pots and was looking for a suitable container when I came across your site. Still haven’t found one but found a fabulous source of information.
Diane,
Thank you! I hope you find just the right pot for creating your orchid display!
Have a lovely day,
Anna
Loved your post. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
I’ve been planning a special dinner party for all our relatives when we get to my brother’s beach house for vacation and I wanted to have something that can add a little more sentiment to it. I really liked how you stated that orchids can be ordered and prepared in advance because I have a lot of preparations in mind like the menu and drinks so if I can have this arrangement done before preparing the food, that would be best. I’ll be sure to look for any florists who can lend me a hand in getting any similar arrangements before I try my own attempt at them. Thank you!
Afton,
Sounds beautiful! Congratulations to your brother and wish you all the best in your preparations!
Anna
Just beautiful
Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much Anna for wonderful ideas.
Greetings
Paula
I cannot do your orchid arrangement at this time because the spikes of 8 of my 12 orchids in my bay window are just emerging. I am so thrilled that they have spikes at this time. Anna, I noticed that orchids start bearing spikes when the weather is beginning to get cooler. Is this true in the orchid world? Thanks.