If you’re looking for beautiful miniature orchids to grow in a terrarium, I hope this planting list will help you. I am currently growing, or I have previously grown each of the miniature orchids listed below inside my Miniature Orchid Trial BiOrbAir Terrarium. The BiOrbAir is a specialised, automated BiOrbAir terrarium, which was designed by Barry Reynolds.
To find out more about a plant, please click on the plant species’ profile for more information. By clicking on the plant, you’ll also find links to every article that features that particular species. Individual plants can be followed through my regular terrarium reviews and updates, where you can discover how well the plants grew, how often they flowered, how long they flowered for, the care I have given these plants, and much more besides. You’ll find these links by clicking on each relevant plant page.
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 | Aerangis fastuosa can be found in the eastern and central Madagascar highlands, between 900 and 1750m. This miniature, epiphytic orchid species grows in a number of different natural habitats, from humid, evergreen forests, to mountain and coastal forests, where it flowers from July to December each… |
| Aerangis fuscata is a miniature sized epiphytic orchid species, which is endemic to Madagascar, where this orchid grows on the twiggy, moss and lichen coated branches of large shrubs and small trees, in rainforest and forested areas. Aerangis fuscata can be found growing in both… |
| Aerangis hyaloides is an orchid species that’s endemic to Eastern Madagascar, where this miniature, epiphytic orchid species grows on the branches of trees, in moist areas of shady, evergreen forests. Aerangis hyaloides produces racemose inflorescences of up to twenty, white coloured, glistening blooms, from winter to… |
| Aerangis mystacidii is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from Africa, Malawi, and Zambia, where this particular orchid species is found growing upon trees, in forests, close to streams, pools, and springs. Aerangis mystacidii produces pendent flower spikes, which bear up to twenty, beautiful white, fragrant… |
| Aerangis punctata is an epiphytic orchid species, which can be found growing in central highland Madagascar, and also on the island nation of Reunion, at elevations between 900m and 1500m. Aerangis punctata grows in humid, evergreen forests, and in highland forests and scrubland, where this plant can… |
| Amesiella philippinensis is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which produces between one and five, very large, magnificent snow-white flowers at each flowering. Amesiella philippinensis’s blooms are borne on racemes from late autumn until early spring each year. Amesiella philippinensis is endemic to the Philippines, where this… |
| Angraecum equitans can be found growing in Madagascar, in humid, highland forests. This epiphytic orchid species grows in full sun, on the outer branches of trees. Angraecum equitans flowers in spring and summer, its flowers are large, white, and fragrant in the evening. This Angraecum equitans specimen is… |
| Bulbophyllum falcatum ‘Minor’ is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from central and western Africa, where this plant grows in warm conditions, in the lower slopes and regions of the forests. This Bulbophyllum falcatum ‘Minor’ specimen (the plant you see pictured above) is growing inside… |
| Ceratocentron fesselii is an epiphytic plant. This is a mini-miniature orchid species, which is endemic to the mountain range of Nueva Ecija, on Luzon Island. This miniature orchid is critically endangered. Sadly despite its rarity, Ceratocentron fesselii is still being over collected. Instead of allowing… |
| Ceratochilus biglandulosus is a species of miniature orchid that’s endemic to Java in Indonesia, where this plant grows as an epiphytic plant, growing over moss and lichen covered trees, in mountainous areas. Ceratochilus biglandulosus produces crystalline, white flowers, which are very large in size, especially when… |
| Ceratostylis philippinensis is a miniature orchid species, which as its name suggests, originates from the Philippines. Ceratostylis philippinensis produces many very fragrant, sweetly scented, white flowers that are about 1cm (0.4 inch) in size. If you’re thinking of growing this miniature orchid, ensure that you can… |
| Constantia cipoensis is a species of miniature, epiphytic orchid, which is endemic to the Serra do Cipó National Park, a mountain range in Brazil, where Constantia cipoensis grows upon Vellozia, a genus of flowering plant that’s found in this area. Constantia cipoensis produces beautiful, very large,… |
| Diplocaulobium abbreviatum is a slow growing miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which is endemic to New Guinea. Diplocaulobium abbreviatum produces attractive star shaped, white flowers that are edged with cream, with small yellow and dark purple markings in the centre of each inflorescence. This Diplocaulobium abbreviatum specimen is growing… |
| Diplocaulobium chrysotropis is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which can be found growing in the cloud forests of New Guinea. Diplocaulobium chrysotropis flourishes under bright, indirect light. This miniature orchid grows best in humid conditions, in temperatures between 17C (62F) and 25C (77F). I have… |
| Domingoa purpurea is a miniature epiphytic orchid, which originates from Guatemala and Mexico. Domingoa purpurea is a miniature epiphytic orchid species that does not require a rest period to grow well. So if the conditions you provide are constant, with sufficient light, water, and nutrients, this… |
| Dryadella simula is a cool growing, miniature epiphytic, orchid species that’s found growing in the lower regions of cloud forest in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. This orchid experiences natural variations during the seasons in its native environment, where it will experience dry seasons… |
| Found in Venezuela and Colombia, Lepanthopsis astrophora ‘Stalky’ is an epiphytic, miniature orchid species that can be found growing in wet, mountainous forests and cloud forests. Once Lepanthopsis astrophora ‘Stalky’ has grown to a mature size, this lovely miniature orchid blooms for periods of up… |
| Macroclinium chasei is a mini-miniature sized orchid species from Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. Another epiphyte – a plant that grows upon another plant, Macroclinium chasei plants produce small, fan shaped leaves and tiny white flowers. Macroclinium chasei originates from a wet and very humid environment. This diminutive… |
| Macroclinium manabinum is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which is endemic to Manabi in Ecuador, where this miniature sized orchid can be found growing upon trees, in forest areas. Macroclinium manabinum favours growing in areas that enjoy warm to hot temperatures and filtered, diffused light. This… |
| Masdevallia decumana is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species that can be found growing upon trees, in the cloud forests of south eastern Ecuador and northern Peru. This Masdevallia species requires warm, damp, and very humid growing conditions to grow and flourish. This miniature orchid’s flowers… |
| Masdevallia rechingeriana is a miniature, cool growing, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from Venezuela. Masdevallia rechingeriana produces a triquetrous inflorescence, which is very tall, and is longer in length than the plant’s leaves. Masdevallia rechingeriana is growing inside my Miniature Orchid Trial BiOrbAir Terrarium, you can… |
| A native plant of New Guinea, Mediocalcar decoratum is a low growing, miniature, epiphytic orchid species, it forms a creeping, spreading mat as the plant grows. Mediocalcar decoratum favours growing in humid, damp conditions in dappled shade. Mediocalcar decoratum thrives in moist conditions, this plant would enjoy… |
| Ornithocephalus manabina is a miniature sized, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from Ecuador. This is such an attractive orchid species; plants produce delicate sprays of elegant, white flowers. I love Ornithocephalus manabina’s fan shaped leaves, they are very useful and add architectural, year round interest… |
| I was given this Phalaenopsis by two of my best friends, it’s a great little plant! Phalaenopsis ‘Purple Princess’ is a miniature to small sized Phalaenopsis hybrid; plants grow to around 10-15cm (4-6 inches) tall. ‘Purple Princess’ plants produce rather striking, cerise to Fuchsia pink… |
| Phalaenopsis lobbii is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which originates from India, Vietnam, the Himalayas, and Myanmar, where this orchid species can be found growing on trees in evergreen forests. This is another super cute Phalaenopsis species; I adore Phalaenopsis lobbii‘s cheerful flowers. Once Phalaenopsis lobbii… |
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The following orchids were purchased from Akerne Orchids:
- Bulbophyllum falcatum ‘Minor’
- Dryadella simula
- Masdevallia rechingeriana
- Phalaenopsis parishii
The following orchids were purchased from Burnham Nurseries:
- Aerangis macrocentra
- Amesiella philippinensis
- Lepanthopsis astrophora ‘Stalky’
The following orchids were purchased from Claessen Orchids:
- Psygmorchis pusilla
I purchased the following orchids from Elsner Orchids:
- Ornithocephalus manabina
The following orchids were kindly given to me by my friends:
- Mediocalcar decoratum
- Phalaenopsis ‘Purple Princess’
I purchased the following orchids from Großräschener Orchids:
- Ceratostylis philippinensis
- Constantia cipoensis
I purchased my cork bark online, from the Jelinek Cork Group.
The following orchid was purchased from Joseph Wu Orchids:
- Phalaenopsis lobbii
The following orchids were purchased from MSB Orchideen:
- Aerangis hyaloides
- Schoenorchis fragrans – this plant was disposed of shortly after it was included in this terrarium.
The following orchids were purchased from Orchid Garden:
- Diplocaulobium chrysotropis
The following orchids were purchased from Orchids-shop.eu:
- Aerangis fastuosa
- Aerangis fuscata
- Aerangis punctata
- Angraecum equitans
- Diplocaulobium abbreviatum
- Domingoa purpurea
- Masdevallia decumana
The following orchids were purchased from Popow Orchids:
- Ceratocentron fesselii
- Ceratochilus biglandulosus
- Macroclinium manabinum
- Trichoglottis pusilla
I purchased the following plants from Spicesotic Plants:
- Macroclinium chasei
The pillow moss used in this BiOrbAir, was purchased from Triangle Nursery.
I used the peat-free, coir compost from Reef One, that came as part of the package when I purchased my BiOrbAir terrarium, for the growing media for this terrarium. This compost comes as a compressed block and can be purchased separately from Reef One.
The following miniature orchids were purchased from the Writhlington Orchid Project:
- Aerangis mystacidii
Other articles that may interest you……….
To read the first part of my Miniature Orchid Trial – Growing Miniature Orchids in the BiOrbAir, please click here.
To read the first part of my White Flowered Orchid Terrarium Trial, please click here.
To read the first part of my Madagascan Orchids BiOrbAir Terrarium Trial, please click here.
To read about the new features that the new 2017 BiOrbAir terrarium offers, please click here.
To read a longer planting list with information about a variety of different suitable plants to grow inside terrariums and bottle gardens, please click here.
To read about the features of the BiOrbAir, please click here.
To find out about the Writhlington Orchid Project, please click here.
To read a longer list of miniature orchids, suitable for terrarium gardening, please click here.
To read about the Queen of Orchids, the largest orchid in the world, and its flowering at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, please click here.
To read the first part of my long term review of the BiOrbAir, please click here.
To read about The RHS London Orchid Show 2016, please click here.
To read about hardy, carnivorous plants, please click here.
