How to Style Orchids at Home
Orchids bring sculptural beauty and a hint of the tropics into any space. Living in Singapore, we are blessed with beautiful orchids year round and a sympathetic environment to have them last a little longer so they make a great addition to your home styling - but the trick is to style them in a way that feels modern, elegant, rather than falling into a tropical cliché - from subtle placement ideas to creating balance within a clean, contemporary palette.
Cluster Potted Orchids on a Low Table
This was a bit of a styling accident and I don’t mind saying it was borne out of sheer laziness. A friend had popped around and gifted me a tray of potted orchids. There is always a moment when someone gifts you flowers that you need to decide what to do immediately with them. I don’t like to place them to the side to be dealt with later because it feels like I don’t care about the gift (which I always do) but nor do you want to spend unnecessary time fussing while your guest waits patiently to spend time with you. So, the answer is to make a quick decision to make the flowers look lovely without fuss. In this instance, I wanted to move them immediately to a spot where they would look lovely rather than just leave them on the dining table. This low-level Indian grinder table was the perfect spot.
Given the height of orchids, they can be styled down LOW and still look GREAT from a scale point of view (most flowers would look odd placed so low…not so potted orchids).
I left them simply in the tray they came in. Potted orchids need anchoring from the base otherwise they’ll topple over, and the tray they were in did a perfect job at keeping them steady. With so many clustered together, I didn’t bother to try and place them in individual vessels - but you could definitely do this.
2. Use a single ceramic pot with a pair of orchids ON an entrance table
An incredibly easy way to style a pair of potted orchids. The trick is find a ceramic pot that will fit two orchids in a cosy way so that they stay upright. When choosing orchids for a pair, pick one that is slightly shorter than the other to create a beautiful styling vignette. In this instance, you don’t want the orchids to be the exact same height. Orchids also drape in different ways so choose two orchids that drape downwards rather than outwards. You want the flowers to direct the eye down towards the other styling elements on the table. Here I have used a simple two-book stack as the foundation for a trio of glass candle votives and placed a handprinted ceramic plate alongside to complete the look.
*Note: The use of 3. Both in the grouping of the glass votives and then REPEATED through the use of 3 styling elements - 1. the orchids in the pot 2. the books and 3. the plate. The RULE OF 3 is one of the easiest failsafe ways to style vignettes.
3. PLACE Single Stem Orchids IN A GLASS VASE for a coffee table
Another easy styling option using orchids - this time for a coffee table. I don’t advise you use potted orchids for a coffee table as they are far too tall to see around.
When it comes to coffee table styling, think first and FOREMOST about what will be convenient - you want to be able to use the coffee table to place THINGS on (wine glass, coffee cup etc) and generally you want to be able to see others sitting around the coffee table or a TV.
So don’t use anything that gets in the way of the functionality of the coffee table. Using two stems of cut orchids in a simple glass vase coupled with some vessels to create (again) a rule of 3 styling vignette, is a great option. Choose a vase that has a wider base and narrower neck so that you can anchor the bottom of the orchid stems into the base of the vase which allows them to fall to the side rather than point straight up. Let flowers lean…they always look far more beautiful leaning.
WHERE TO SHOP FOR ORCHIDS IN SINGAPORE
My favourite place is Candy on the slip road off Thompson Road. Go to the very end of the slip road. They have an orchid room that is temperature controlled so make sure you close both sliding doors. And be careful when finding the orchids you’d like. Generally the orchids are loosely tied together so you need to gently untie them and then using two hands, very carefully disentangle the orchids. Candy can help you to pot your orchids in your own vessel, or you can buy one there - but they won’t usually do that on the spot, so if you want their help with potting, expect to come back to pick them up. I just pot the orchids at home myself.
CHOOSING ORCHIDS
Look for stems that have a few closed buds at the end so that you know you’ve got a while to go with the orchid still fully blooming
Have a soft tug on the leaves and make sure they are secure on the plant and are a lovely bright green and feel rubbery. If they are yellowing or feel a little soft and mushy, don’t buy. This is an indication that the plant is older so it won’t probably won’t last as long.
Consider the drape of the stem and where you’ll be styling them - generally orchids that have a stem that falls downward are nicer to style with (as opposed to orchids that point straight out).
Consider the height of the orchid and if you are planting a few or a pair together, find plants that will look good together. Again, make sure you are using two hands to find the plants you want as they very easily tangle. I prefer one slightly taller than the other for a natural looking style.
CARING FOR YOUR ORCHIDS
Orchids don’t really need a huge amount of care but here are some tips for making them last.
Don’t place them in direct sunlight
Similarly, don’t place them directly in the flow of an airconditioner
They are a plant that thrives in warm humid weather - hello Singapore - so if you have your aircon at home running 24/7 not only is it terrible for the environment (!) but it’s also not great for your orchids.
Less is more when it comes to watering orchids - the roots want to be moist but not wet (no soggy water logged bottoms please). The best way to water them is to run the roots under some room temperature tap water and then let the water drain off. You probably only need to do this every 7-10 days if you live in Singapore.