If you’re setting up a terrarium, vivarium, or bottle garden, and you’re looking for miniature orchids to add to your indoor garden, you may find that it is not always easy to tell which orchids are truly miniature and which aren’t.
Many orchids that are sold as miniatures are miniature sized when they are young, but as they grow and develop, many of these plants will soon outgrow a traditionally sized terrarium or bottle garden. You might be surprised to know that there is no set size within the orchid world that defines a plant within a particular size category, so the size of an orchid can be quite subjective, some some nurseries may list a plant as miniature, but that particular plant may be too large for any regular sized terrarium or bottle garden. So with this in mind, I have set up this of list of truly miniature sized, tiny orchids, to help you find the most beautiful and most charming mini-miniature sized orchids for your terrarium, vivarium, or bottle garden. The largest of the orchids that feature in this list grow to about 12cm (4.7″) tall, as a flowering sized plant, but some of the orchids in this list won’t grow as tall as this.
Click on each plant page for more information and links to every article that features that particular orchid. I have listed the suppliers where I have purchased my plants, the moss and the cork I have used inside my terrariums at the bottom of this list. I’ve also added links to my various terrariums and orchidariums, so scroll down for more info.
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 | Aerangis calantha is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species that can be found growing in a variety of locations including: the Congo, Africa, Angola, and Uganda. Before humans encroached into and altered the landscape of this orchid’s natural habitat and environment, Aerangis calantha could be found growing upon… |
| 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 hariotiana is a miniature to small sized, epiphytic orchid species that originates from the Comoros Islands, where this orchid can be found growing on trees, in areas of humid forest. Aerangis hariotiana originates from a group of islands which offer warm to hot growing conditions. … |
| 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 luteoalba var. rhodosticta is a miniature epiphytic orchid species that originates from Kenya and Africa. This beautiful and very distinctive miniature orchid produces attractive white, crystalline flowers, which have a bright orange-red column, or centre. Aerangis luteoalba var. rhodosticta plants enjoy growing in warm,… |
| 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… |
| Aerangis verdickii is a miniature epiphytic or lithophytic orchid species, which grows both low down on rocks and high up in the branches of woodland trees, in dry forests and mountainous areas. In its native environment, this orchid species can be found growing near the… |
| Aerangis x primulina is a natural hybrid between Aerangis citrata and Aerangis hyaloides. This is a very handsome miniature orchid. Plants produce beautiful, arching flowering stems, which I estimate, hold opposite rows of anywhere between five and thirty, (possibly more) stunning, small, snowy white coloured… |
| Amesiella minor is miniature, epiphytic orchid species. Amesiella minor can be found growing in forests, in the mountain regions of the Philippines. This is a slow growing orchid species, which favours a humid environment. Amesiella minor is a relatively recently discovered miniature orchid, consequently this… |
| 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 bancoense is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which can be found growing on trees, in very humid areas, in various parts of Africa. This pretty miniature orchid species is often found growing upon deciduous trees, near ponds or waterfalls, or in rainforest areas, but… |
| Angraecum breve is a mini miniature Angraecum species that is endemic to Madagascar. This tiny, epiphytic orchid hails from the Tsaratanana massif – a mountainous region, in Northern Madagascar. Angraecum breve is a wild plant, from a wonderful area of the planet, which has been… |
| Angraecum compactum is an epiphytic, miniature orchid species, which is endemic to Madagascar. This orchid species can be found growing across widespread areas of the country, in a variety of habitats, including humid forests, moist lowland forests, and rocky areas of ground. In the wild,… |
| Angraecum cucullatum is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species that originates from the island of Reunion and Mauritius, where plants grow upon trees, in forested areas of the country. Cultivated Angraecum cucullatum plants need to be grown under filtered, diffused light. This orchid species flourishes in… |
| Angraecum distichum is a miniature sized, epiphytic orchid species, which can be found growing upon trees and plants in a shaded locations in areas of rainforest. This orchid species can be discovered growing upon trees, which are found growing over a wide range of tropical… |
| Angraecum dollii is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which is endemic to Madagascar. It’s wise to be mindful of the plant’s natural growing conditions and to include a drier period in your plant’s growing regime, in order to grow this miniature orchid successfully. Angraecum dollii… |
| Angraecum drouhardii is a mini miniature sized orchid species from Madagascar. This is an epiphytic orchid species that grows on the trunks of moss covered trees, in mountainous regions of Northern Madagascar, at 1200m above sea level. I love this dear little orchid, it’s a… |
| 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… |
| Angraecum ochraceum is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which is endemic to Madagascar. I’m told that Angraecum ochraceum enjoys a widespread occupation in the mountainous forests and highlands of Eastern Madagascar. This miniature orchid is often sighted growing on trees in the Antananarivo, Antsiranana Fianarantsoa,… |
| Angraecum pectinatum is a miniature, epiphytic orchid species that originates from Madagascar, where this orchid can be found growing upon the branches and trunks of trees, growing in areas of humid forest. This orchid species favours growing under filtered, diffused light, in a warm to… |
| Angraecum peyrotii is a critically endangered orchid species that’s endemic to the Antananarivo Province, in central Madagascar. Plants grow in a restricted area, in forests, from 1000m to 1500m above sea level. This orchid species needs our help and protection to survive. The plant’s habitat… |
| Angraecum pyriforme is an epiphytic miniature orchid species that originates from mainland Africa, where this miniature orchid can be found growing upon trees in areas of moist, humid forest. The number of locations where plants of Angraecum pyriforme can be found growing includes the Ivory Coast… |
| Angraecum rutenbergianum is a miniature orchid species that grows both upon trees and rocks, in humid and densely populated forests. This orchid species is most notably found growing upon Agauria salicifolia, but Angraecum rutenbergianum can also be found growing in a quite different environment – on wet… |
| Barbosella australis is a cool growing, miniature, epiphytic orchid species, which can be found growing in southern Brazil. Flowering in the summer, it is a very low growing plant, with a naturally creeping, spreading habit. This Barbosella australis specimen is growing inside my BiOrbAir terrarium, you can… |
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The following miniature orchids were purchased from Akerne Orchids:
- Bulbophyllum sessile
- Dryadella simula
- Leptotes bicolor
- Phalaenopsis parishii
- Platystele examen-culicum
- Restrepia citrina
- Restrepia seketii
The following miniature orchids were purchased from Burnham Nurseries:
- Amesiella philippinensis
- Barbosella australis
- Ceratostylis philippinensis
- Gastrochilus retrocallus (Haraella retrocalla)
- Holcoglossum flavescens
- Lepanthopsis astrophora ‘Stalky’
- Ornithophora radicans
- Porroglossum muscosum
- Restrepia contorta
- Restrepia purpurea ‘Rayas Vino Tinto’
- Restrepia sanguinea
- Schoenorchis fragrans
The following orchids were purchased from Claessen Orchids:
- Aerangis calantha
- Angraecum compactum
- Angraecum ochraceum
- Brachypeza semiteretifolia
- Dinema polybulbon
- Microsaccus griffithii
- Phalaenopsis malipoensis
- Psygmorchis pusilla
The following orchids were purchased from Elsner Orchids:
- Aerangis hyaloides
- Aerangis seegeri
- Aerangis verdickii
- Angraecum aloifolium
- Angraecum distichum
- Angraecum dollii
- Angraecum drouhardii
- Ceratostylis pristina
- Holcoglossum weixiense
- Hymenorchis javanica
- Lepanthes telipogoniflora
- Ornithocephalus manabina
The following orchids were very kindly given to me by my friends:
- Dendrobium striolatum
- Epidendrum porpax
- Leptotes unicolor
- Mediocalcar decoratum
- Podangis dactyloceras
I purchased the following orchids from Großräschener Orchids:
- Angraecum aloifolium
- Ceratostylis philippinensis
- Constantia cipoensis
- Phalaenopsis stobartiana
- Phalaenopsis taenialis
- Phalaenopsis wilsonii
- Schoenorchis scolopendria
- Schoenorchis tixieri
The following orchids were purchased from Joseph Wu Orchids:
- Phalaenopsis appendiculata
- Phalaenopsis gibbosa
- Phalaenopsis lobbii
- Phalaenopsis lobbii f. flavilabia
- Phalaenopsis malipoensis
- Phalaenopsis parishii alba
- Phalaenopsis thailandica
The following orchids were purchased from Junginger Orchideen:
- Aerangis calantha
- Aerangis hariotiana
- Aerangis hyaloides
- Aerangis kirkii
- Aerangis luteoalba var. rhodosticta
- Aerangis x primulina
- Angraecum cucullatum
- Angraecum pectinatum
- Mystacidium gracile
- Oeonia volucris
- Phalaenopsis parishii
The following orchids were purchased from Kopf Orchideen:
- Angraecum pyriforme
- Porroglossum echidna
- Porroglossum schramii
The following orchids were purchased from MSB Orchideen:
- Aerangis hyaloides
- Schoenorchis fragrans – this miniature orchid was removed from the terrarium and disposed of shortly after its introduction.
The following orchids were purchased from NT Orchid Nursery:
- Phalaenopsis appendiculata
The following orchids were purchased from Orchid Alchemy:
- Angraecum rutenbergianum
The following orchids were purchased from Orchid Garden:
- Aerangis mooreana
- Aerangis spiculata
- Angraecum dollii
- Diplocaulobium chrysotropis
- Phalaenopsis gibbosa
- Phalaenopsis lindenii
- Phalaenopsis lowii
The following miniature orchids were purchased from Orchids-shop.eu:
- Aerangis fuscata
- Aerangis punctata
- Angraecum equitans
- Diplocaulobium abbreviatum
- Masdevallia decumana
The following orchids were purchased from Orchid Wubben:
- Angraecum bancoense
- Angraecum rutenbergianum
The following orchids were purchased from Petrens Orchid Shop:
- Aerangis citrata
- Aerangis punctata
The following orchids were purchased from Phalaenopsis and More:
- Angraecum compactum
- Amesiella minor
The cork bark, flat, and cushion moss used in my Madagascar BiOrbAir Terrarium and in my White Orchid Trial BiOrbAir Terrarium was purchased from Porters Foliage.
The following orchids were purchased from Popow Orchids:
- Amesiella minor
- Angraecum distichum
- Brachypeza semiteretifolia
- Ceratocentron fesselii
- Ceratochilus biglandulosus
- Macroclinium manabinum
- Trichoglottis pusilla
I purchased the following plants from Rollke Orchideen:
- Phalaenopsis parishii
I purchased the following orchids from Schwerter Orchids:
- Phalaenopsis finleyi
- Phalaenopsis stobartiana
- Schoenorchis seidenfadenii
I purchased the following plants from Spicesotic Plants:
- Aerangis calantha
- Angraecum aloifolium
- Lepanthes aculeata
- Lepanthes matamorosii
- Lepanthes telipogoniflora
- Leptotes unicolor
- Macroclinium chasei
- Phalaenopsis finleyi
- Phalaenopsis parishii
- Trisetella hoeijeri
- Vanda nana
I purchased the pillow moss I used when I updated the planting inside two of my BiOrbAir terrariums in August 2015 from Triangle Nursery.
The following miniature orchids were purchased from Vacherot & Lecoufle:
- Gastrochilus retrocallus (Haraella retrocalla)
The following miniature orchids were purchased from the Writhlington Orchid Project:
- Aerangis mystacidii
- Barbosella dusenii
- Leptotes bicolor
- Platystele misasiana
- Restrepia antennifera
- Restrepia trichoglossa
- Stelis muscifera
- Stelis stevensonii
- Stelis tridentata
Other articles that may interest you……….
To see planting lists of orchids suited to growing in cool, intermediate, or warm temperatures, please click here.
To see my Tall Orchidarium being set up, please click here.
To see my Rainforest Terrarium being set up, please click here.
To read a longer planting list for terrariums and bottle gardens, which includes a wide variety of different terrarium plants, including larger orchids, miniature ferns, and miniature terrarium plants, please click here.
To read the first part of my White Flowered Orchid Trial, please click here.
To read about how I track and record the temperature, humidity, and light levels inside my terrariums, glasshouse, home, and garden, please click here.
To see how my Orchidarium was created, please click here.
To read the first part of my Madagascar Orchid Trial, please click here.
To find out how to mount epiphytic orchids onto cork bark or other wood mounts, please click here.
To read about the new features that the new 2017 BiOrbAir terrarium offers, please click here.
To find out more about the Writhlington Orchid Project, please click here.
To read the first part of my Miniature Orchid Trial – Growing Miniature Orchids in the BiOrbAir, please click here.
To read about using decorative features in terrariums and bottle gardens, please click here.
To go to the other extreme from reading about miniature orchids, and read about the largest orchid in the world, please click here.
To read about growing mushrooms indoors – I grew some delicious oyster mushrooms, including some edible pink mushrooms! Please click here.
For information on using specially designed terrarium tools, please click here.
William
September 13, 2020 at 1:19pmDear Beth,
First of all I would like to compliment you on your website. It is one of the best resources of miniature orchids and terrariumplants I often look at for my terrariums. I have a question though. I enjoy making bio-active, closed bottle terrariums and cloches. I often use hygrolon as a the medium to grow epiphytic mosses and ferns. However, problem in these closed terrariums is the lack of ventilation and the risk of mold growing. I control that by adding springtails (Collembola). I would also like to try miniature orchids in these closed terrariums, but I find it hard to find recommendations of species that are able to deadl with little to no ventilation and high humidity. Do you have any recommendation for species?
Pumpkin Beth
September 17, 2020 at 4:44pmHello William
I’m happy to hear that you’ve found my website helpful.
How exciting that you’re creating a terrarium!
First of all, I’d recommend that when you plant your terrarium, you select only strong and healthy plants that are free from mould and pests and diseases, as once you contain one of these problems it exacerbates things. As for orchids, try: Lepanthes telipogoniflora, Restrepia purpurea ‘Rayas Vino Tinto’, Barbosella, Lisparis caespitosa, Bulbophyllum maquilingense, Bulbophyllum catenulatum, Pleurothallis gracillima, Pleurothallis trichostoma, Gastrochilus retrocallus, Mediocalcar decoratum, Masdevallia floribunda, and other Masdevallia species and cultivars. Also check out my planting list of terrarium plants, as these plants will all be very happy in this environment.
Best wishes
Beth