Orchids

Orchid delivery is a simple way to send a gift that keeps blooming: potted phalaenopsis plants for a new home, an office or a grieving family, plus dendrobium corsages and boutonnieres. A local florist near the recipient hand-picks each orchid plant and delivers it.

Many of these plants stay in flower for weeks. The guide below compares the plants and explains who each one suits, with care tips in the questions after it.

Orchid delivery: choosing the right plant

Comparing our orchid plants

Six of the ten items here are live phalaenopsis plants, the moth orchid known for long, arching sprays of flat blooms. White Orchid Single Stem is the simplest, one stem rising from Spanish moss in a clear glass vase with a bow. Double White Orchid Plant carries two tall stems above glossy leaves, and the tallest white double-stem plant stands about three feet high for a room that needs height. For color, Purple Phalaenopsis Orchid comes in a sleek glass cube, with an option to add a candle, and Divine Orchid pairs two lavender stems in three sizes. White Phalaenopsis Orchid shows white petals with a fuchsia blush in a satin-finish ceramic pot.

Who an orchid plant gift suits

Orchids work for people who would rather have a plant than a vase to refill. White orchids are a calm, lasting choice for sympathy, often sent to the family home, and our sympathy plants include several. Purple and lavender plants suit a housewarming or a desk at work. For a family of faith, Madonna's Garden of Serenity sets roses, dendrobium orchids and lilies around a Madonna statuette, a fresh arrangement rather than a plant. Office orders go to the front desk or reception during business hours, so choose a weekday.

Orchid corsages and boutonnieres

Dendrobium orchids carry small blooms spaced along a single stem, lighter and more textured than one large rose. The Dendrobium Orchid Corsage pairs a single bloom with a slim wrist band and a satin bow, and you can pick a ribbon shade to suit the outfit. The Dendrobium Orchid Boutonniere holds up well without water for a full day, a sturdy choice for a wedding, a gala or prom. More options are in corsages and boutonnieres.

Orchid questions

How long do orchids last after delivery?

A healthy phalaenopsis often stays in bloom for several weeks, and some, like Divine Orchid, can flower for a couple of months. When the last bloom drops, the plant rests for a while before sending up a new flower spike, and with good care it can rebloom for years.

How do I care for an orchid plant gift?

Give it bright, indirect light, such as near an east-facing window, and keep it out of hot afternoon sun. Water when the bark feels almost dry, roughly once a week, and let the extra drain away so the roots never sit in water.

What does it mean to send someone orchids?

Orchids are often linked with beauty, strength, refinement and lasting affection. White orchids suggest reverence and sympathy, purple ones admiration and dignity, and pink ones grace and joy. Because the plant keeps blooming, an orchid also reads as a wish for something lasting, like a new home or a friendship.

Are orchids safe for cats and dogs?

Phalaenopsis orchids are generally listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes them a popular plant for homes with pets. One arrangement here, Madonna's Garden of Serenity, also contains lilies, which are toxic to cats, so check the flower list before sending to a cat owner.

Is an orchid a good Mother's Day gift?

Yes. A potted orchid outlasts most cut flowers, so Mom enjoys it for weeks. Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday in May and there are no Sunday deliveries, so choose Saturday or an earlier date. Our Mother's Day plants include three orchids.