Introduction
Orchid colors: I will never forget the first time I walked into an orchid greenhouse. The colours of orchids literally took my breath away! The deep burgundy flowers looked like velvet. The white flowers looked like bright lights. I knew I had stumbled across the most amazing colour palette in nature.
There is that moment when you see something so beautiful you have to stop, right? That is undoubtedly the feeling you will have when you discover the amazing colours of orchids. With over 28,000 species, orchids give you every colour you could hope for, sometimes colours you never even knew existed.
Why Are Orchids So Incredibly Colourful?
Here is something that absolutely blew my mind when I was first learning about orchids: they have spent millions of years becoming incredible show-offs! All of those amazing colours of orchids are because they adapted as smart plants to attract the absolute right pollinator.
Deep Red Orchids: Drama at Its Finest
If there is a color that can scream “passion” in an arranged bouquet it has to be dark red! There is nothing like a dark red orchid to add both immediate romance and sophistication to any setting. I remember having my first dark red Cattleya, and every time someone walked in my living room they would stop to admire it.
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Cattleya ‘Chocolate Drop’
Oh my goodness, this variety is absolutely magnificent! The first time I saw ‘Chocolate Drop’ it looked like a dipped orchid in melted luxury chocolate, it was stunning. The deep burgundy-red flowers have amazing underlying tones of chocolate, which suggested that they could be eaten.
Phalaenopsis ‘Red Jewel’
If you are new to orchids and like all things dramatic but want something manageable, then ‘Red Jewel’ is the orchid for you! I always recommend this for our beginners because it has the “wow” factor but is not fussy. The rich crimson flowers have darker veining that gives the flowers an unbelievable velvet-like appearance.
Vibrant Orchids: Beautiful and Bold
Vibrant orchids are much like having miniature fireworks in your home! These colorful beauties embrace vibrancy and confidence. I have a nice vibrant red Dendrobium on my kitchen window sill, every morning it propels me into a healthy, mindful action.
Dendrobium ‘Fire Wings’
I always tell people ‘Fire Wings’ is like having a miniature phoenix in your house! The bright red flowers with golden yellow centers go from blah to ahhh! What is special about Dendrobiums is how they bloom; flowers appear all over these cane-like stems, and when a mature plant is happy, you could have cane bloom with multiple canes.
Phalaenopsis ‘Sogo Yukidian’
This type is stunning! Bright red petals and crisp white lips like someone took a paintbrush to create this contrast. I bought one as a housewarming gift for my friend, and six months later she is boasting about it to everyone who walks in. What I really like about the ‘Sogo Yukidian’ is how much heat it can take.
Light orange orchids: always a little bit of sunshine
Light orange orchids are absolutely the happiest colours and have a comfortable, inviting feeling about them. They can turn any spot into welcoming and cozy. I have a soft orange Phalaenopsis growing in my home office and it always makes my most stressful day feel a lot more cheering.
Phalaenopsis ‘Carrotcake’
Don’t you love the name? When I first heard about ‘Carrotcake’ I just had to have one! The light orange flowers with yellow undertones really do remind you of the warm spices in carrotcake. But the best part of this variety is the flowers can last up to three months! That is simply amazing!
Cymbidium ‘Sunset Glow’
If you want something a little “exotic” looking, ‘Sunset Glow’ is absolutely stunning! The arching spikes of light orange with pink tipped lips look like they belong in a fancy botanical garden.
Deep Orange Orchids: Autumn Fire
The dark orange orchids, to me, look like snuggly autumn afternoons by a crackling fireplace. ‘ You are so brave to be taking yourself out into the world with those confident, bold flowers happening. I have a deep orange Cymbidium that blooms right around Halloween; talk about perfect timing!
Cymbidium ‘Foxfire Amber Dural’
This is hands-down one of my favourite orchids ever! ‘Foxfire Amber Dural’ produces these incredible deep orange blooms with sprinkles of red and yellow in the centre; it’s like looking at a gorgeous sunset. The flowers are substantial too, measuring 3-4 inches across with this amazing texture that lasts and lasts.
Cattleya ‘Orange Sunset’
What a way to live up to its name! ‘Orange Sunset’ produces very large, ruffled, deep orange flowers that look as if they just caught the last rays of a spectacular sunset. When this orchid flowers the scent is so overpowering it can fill your whole house with the best scent there is! This is the queen of the orchid world, the flowers are 5-6 inches across. Yes, they do require a little more care than some Phalaenopsis orchids, but it is worth it.
Radiant Yellow Orchids: Pure Joy
Is there anything more cheerful than a bright yellow orchid? Not even! These cheerful yellow beauties are like having the sun in your home every day. I have a bright yellow Dendrobium that lives on the counter in my kitchen.
Dendrobium ‘Golden Blossom Kogane’
I absolutely adore this variety! ‘Golden Blossom Kogane’ gives you the best of both worlds: the classic Phalaenopsis flower shape but on a Dendrobium plant. The bright golden yellow flowers are just stunning, and when the plant is happy, they can cover the entire length of mature canes.
Phalaenopsis ‘Golden Treasure’
If you want pure, unadulterated yellow joy, you can’t go past the ‘Golden Treasure’ orchid! These flowers are the most gorgeous bright yellow with no other colours to distract from that sunny perfection. What makes this variety extra special is the size; these are some of the largest yellow Phalaenopsis flowers you’ll find.
Pale Yellow Orchids: Gentle Sunshine
Pale yellow orchids are just so special! They add warmth and don’t play favorites, which is very sweet. They take me back to a beautiful morning sunrise, calm and glorious. I have a pale yellow orchid in my bedroom, and it adds to the essence of a serene setting.
Cymbidium ‘Buttercup’
adorable as its common name suggests! The pale yellow flowers, with the slightest hint of green, are airy. These flowers are a dream to photograph, but my favorite part is their fragrance – think a sweet vanilla that smells even better on warm afternoons!
Light Green Orchids: Fresh as Spring
Light green orchids are completely unique bringing a fresh and natural feel to any space! Frankly, when I saw green orchids for the first time, I wasn’t sure how to feel about them. Now I am totally obsessed with how they make a room feel so spa-like and calm! Cymbidium ‘Dream Ice Green’
Deep green orchids: a natural mystery
Deep green orchids are absolutely intriguing; it’s like having forest debris on your living room floor! These distinctive specimens carry such a modern, sophisticated feel and are incredibly complementary in contemporary spaces.
FAQs
What colours of orchids are most popular for beginners?
The most popular colours of beginner orchids are the species of Phalaenopsis that are white, pink and purple in colour because there is a natural occurrence of these colours, a natural availability of these colours, and normal care without a colour maintenance requirement.
Can orchids change colour naturally?
Yes, some orchids can genuinely change colours slightly based on temperatures, light conditions, and maturity of the plant, but any dramatic colour changes probably indicate naturally dyed flowers that will revert back to their original colour on future blooms.
What colours of orchids are rare?
True blue orchids are rare colours of orchids, with very few species naturally producing flowers in blue. Black orchids are also very rare with most ‘black’ varieties being called very dark purple varieties or in some cases burgundy.
How do I keep my orchids colours as vibrant as possible?
In order to keep the colours of your orchids vibrant, it’s best to provide proper light levels, have a consistent temperature, fertilize (this will do something too), and have a lack of stressful factors that may cause colours to fade, such as overwatering or distinct temperatures.
