Nothing is more appreciated on Mother’s Day than fresh flowers. This year, try breaking away from the traditional Mother’s Day gifts like ordinary potted plants or fresh flower bouquets and treat your mom to an exciting and unusual orchid this holiday. Your mom will be able to enjoy the orchid you carefully selected all year round, with no more care than an ordinary houseplant.

You probably recognize a few varieties of Orchids from your garden store or nursery - but it’s Mother’s Day! With over 50,000 species of Orchids found everywhere from southern Australia to Alaska, there are over 600 varieties available through mail order and online catalogs so you’re bound to find just the right one for your mom. There are many unique varieties such as the Ebony Queen or Blushing Bride and are among the most beautiful flowers on earth. Each plant is so distinctive that any mother would be honored to receive such an exquisite gift.

Caring for Orchids

Don’t worry about your mom not being able to care for the orchid. It’s a surprisingly easy plant to grow and doesn’t even require soil! Most orchids are known as air plants and attach themselves to something such as a tree, rocks or pebbles in order to grow. Gardeners at all levels, from novice to expert, have enjoyed growing orchids. It’s much like a typical flowering houseplant and just needs water and fertilizer on occasion. It should also be kept away from any drafts from heating and cooling vents and air should be well circulated around it to grow properly.

There are plenty of great exotic varieties that don’t have to be grown in special conditions or greenhouses but do check with your orchid supplier to make sure the variety you purchase for your mom will be suited to its new environment.

Where to buy orchids

Orchids are available from growers across the globe and many will ship directly to your mom’s door. You can find orchids at just about any gardening store but check online, through mail order or at your local orchid supplier to find the best selection of unique orchids to give your mom this Mother’s Day.