Best orchid pots: Top picks for thriving blooms

Orchids are found on every continent except Antarctica, yet despite this ubiquity, they're some of the most trafficked plants on the planet, alongside succulents and rosewood.

There are around 30,000 known species of this bloom, which comes in all kinds of colours and combinations, but new ones are discovered all the time, catching the attention of avid botanists and specialist collectors hoping to add them to their trophy cabinet.

The Victorians obsessed about them so much that the craze coined its own terms: "orchidelirium" or "orchidomania". While rich Victorians would satisfy themselves by amassing huge orchid collections in stunning conservatories (the sixth Duke of Devonshire had an acre of hothouses at Chatsworth House showcasing his flowers), the obscenely wealthy would go so far as to recruit plant hunters to find and kidnap rare species from the ends of the earth. Now there's a job.

They embodied empire and symbolised luxury, and still do today, even though you can pick them at Waitrose while doing the weekly shop.

Orchids, specifically the Peruvian sort, were in the spotlight earlier in 2025 at Kew Gardens. In February, the Princess of Wales' glasshouse was bursting with incredible displays of the country's botanical biodiversity, including 3000 unique varieties of orchids in joyful shades, contrasting against the steel grey sky outside.

If you missed it, you'll have a second chance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, where The Orchid Society of Great Britain is set to create a floral display.

Despite crazy prices for some orchids - they are three of the top five most expensive flowers, per Arena's list- you can enjoy the beauty of indoor orchids at home for a few pounds. The key, as with all living beings, is creating the right environment in which they can thrive.

Since many orchids are exotic varieties, they need little water and high humidity, so setting them up on a bathroom or kitchen windowsill is perfect. They're best off with indirect yet bright light, and you should use an orchid-specific fertiliser to feed them. Once they flower, they will enter a resting period, which usually happens in winter.

As for pots, choose something with plenty of holes for drainage. A clay version like terracotta breathes more efficiently than plastic, increasing airflow and making it practically impossible to overwater the plant, though orchids will need more frequent watering if you go with this material as it dries quicker. Meanwhile, clear plastic pots may allow the roots of some varieties, like moth orchids, to photosynthesise. The golden rule is top-notch drainage: you don’t want your plant or its roots swamped in moisture.

Depending on your plant size, choose a small, well-fitting pot first and rehouse it when it runs out of room. If you notice the plant being pushed up or roots emerging from the compost, it’s time for a bigger pot. It should be an infrequent process: experts agree repotting every one to two years is about right.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve rounded up the optimal pots to help your orchid thrive below.

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