Fragrant Orchids come within the Orchidaceae family, there are flowers of all shapes, sizes, colors, and fragrances. Many orchid species have strong scents, which range from putrid to pleasant. Here’s a look at why orchids have such an array of aromas, along with some species you might want to smell and others that are quite offensive.

In the wild, orchids’ scents help the plants attract pollinators. Often an orchid’s scent is tailored for a specific pollinator.

Most fragrant orchids smell strongest in the morning or evening when the pollinators they’re trying to attract are most active. Many species give off their scents in the morning, but some, like Lady of the Night, try to attract nocturnal moths and other insects by saving their scents for the evening.

Additionally, orchids will often smell stronger on warm, sunny days than cool, cloudy ones. The higher temperatures and sun heat up the plants’ oils, causing them to put off a stronger fragrance.

Orchids are fascinating plants with diverse flowers.

When it comes to purchasing orchids for aroma, look for Aeranthes grandalena, Brassavola nodosa, Cattleya walkeriana, Cycnoches Wine Delight, Cymbidium Golden Elf, Dendrobium kingiaum, Encyclia cordigera, Maxillara tenuiflolia, Miltoniospsis Herr Alexander, Miltoniopsis santanaei, Neofinetia falcata, Oncidium ornithorrhychium or sotoanum, Oncidium Sharry Baby, Oncidium Twinkle Fantasy, Phalaenopsis violacea, Phragmepedium schlimii , Rhynchostylis gigantea or The Foxtail Orchid, Vanilla planifolia, and Zygopetalum.

Not all of these orchids are easy to grow.