Orchids come in as many scents as they do in hues and shapes! We pick out the Best and Most Fragrant ones for your home!
With over 30,000 species under their belt, it’s no surprise that these special plants emit a range of scents, from spicy to fruity, citrusy to floral, or even nutty and creamy. And some imitate the scents of other blooms like roses and hyacinths! So, we compiled a selection of the best and most fragrant orchids for your home.
Why Are Orchids Fragrant?
Like most plants, blooms are often fragrant and nectar-filled to attract pollinators. So, while these scents are no coincidence, orchids (typically vulnerable in the wild) have learned to take it up a notch with games of trickery!
Playing a crucial role in its survival, most orchids lure and deceive pollinators to their colorful blooms with these delicious, mouth-watering scents but actually offer no nectar! Basically, orchids are master manipulators that use their cunningness to get what they need—in this case, cost-free pollination!
But the deception doesn’t end there. They deploy various strategies, from sexual mimicry to smelling like their pollinator’s favorite food, such as aphids, fruits, or even carrion. With such stories to tell, who wouldn’t want these intriguing blooms in their home? Obviously, we’ll skip the stank ones for you!
Best Fragrant Orchids
1. Dancing Lady Orchid
Botanical Name: Oncidium Sharry Baby
Starting off with one of the most popular orchid species, Sharry Baby, with its numerous flowers, is not only easy to care for but also has a strong, beautiful chocolate fragrance. This orchid might just trigger your sweet cravings a little too much
But it’s not the only orchid that smells like chocolate—check out this list for more!
2. Coconut Pie Orchid
Botanical Name: Maxillaria tenuifolia
This orchid, named after the strong coconut scent of its blooms, can easily become one of the most prized specimens in your collection. Its grasslike leaves at the base of its pseudobulbs give it a full appearance even when not in bloom.
Native to South and Central America, bees and beetles are drawn to its food-like aroma.
3. Pink Rock Orchid
Botanical Name: Dendrobium kingianum
Native to Australia, this species’ most delightful characteristic is its rich honey-scented blooms. Aptly named, this species usually grows on rock, showcasing flowering spikes of pink blooms from late winter to spring. It can also be found growing on trees.
4. Lady of the Night
Botanical Name: Brassavola nodosa
After a tired day at work, the ‘lady of the night’ will welcome and instantly refresh you with its intense, citrus, and floral-fused fragrance, which is especially strong at night. While its white to pale green flowers may look delicate, the fragrance can easily fill an entire room!
5. Taiwan Fragrant Orchid
Botanical Name: Haraella retrocalla
This Taiwanese native produces blooms with a sweet and lemony scent both in spring and fall. It is easy to grow and needs warmth and high humidity to thrive. Just place it near a south-facing window with filtered sunlight and watch it flourish!
6. Purple Rain
Botanical Name: Dendrobium anosmum
The purple rain orchid is native to Southeast Asia and, hence, likes its bright days with warmth and high humidity. Give it what it needs, and this orchid will reward you with a mesmerizing raspberry fragrance that can last up to four weeks!
7. Bellina Orchid
Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis bellina
While most in the Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) genus are not fragrant, this Borneo-native stands out! With a citrusy and spicy scent, it produces pretty pink, purple, and white blooms that are pollinated by moths and butterflies. In fact, the scent is also comparable to that of zested tangerines.
8. Samurai Orchid
Botanical Name: Neofinetia falcata
The samurai orchid can be harder to come by and can even put a dent in your pocket when you’re trying to add it to your collection. But the wonderful fragrance of vanilla and jasmine, strongest at dusk and dawn, makes up for all that. The scent will remind you of the Indian gardenia.
9. Foxtail Orchid
Botanical Name: Rhynchostylis retusa
While the flowers of various foxtail orchids may vary in color—from pristine white to spotted red and even burgundy and peach—they are sweet and zesty. Its scents are particularly intense in warm evenings.
10. Walker’s Cattleya
Botanical Name: Cattleya walkeriana
A darling dwarf species from the Cattleya genus, this orchid is noteworthy for its complex fragrances with layers of vanilla, cinnamon, and floral notes. It comes in a stunning array of hues, and even the hybrids of this species often carry a wonderful vanilla or lemony scent.
11. Pansy Orchid
Botanical Name: Miltoniopisis santanaei
Remember how orchids are masters of deception? This one produces blooms that look like pansies and smell like roses! Native to Colombia and Ecuador, it grows well in low and high elevations and prefers cooler temperatures with high humidity.
12. Hand Carrying Oncidium
Botanical Name: Oncidium cheirophorum
A dwarf species flaunting white and yellow, waxy flowers, this fragrant oncidium variety emits a mild and sweet floral scent. These miniature beauties thrive in mild temperatures and humidity.
Well, what are you waiting for? It’s time to try these out for yourselves. Do let us know which ones you loved best and which ones you have in your home! Don’t forget to check out these orchid reblooming tips—they’ll come in handy.
