This orchid festival is guaranteed to add colour to the bleak wintery days this February. Running from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 2 March 2025, this year’s display draws its inspiration from the unique flora and fauna of Peru.
Renowned for its rich biodiversity with beaches, rainforests, deserts and mountains, Peru is home to over 3000 species of orchids and a remarkable array of wildlife. The scenic beauty of this country are masterfully reflected in this year’s stunning horticultural displays and living sculptures within the Princess of Wales conservatory.
As visitors step inside the glasshouse, they’ll be greeted by stunning floral representations of Peru’s spectacular scenery. A vibrant display on a grass island in the central pond will evoke Lake Titicaca, overflowing with flamboyant flowers symbolizing Peru’s biodiversity. Nearby, floral flamingos will stand gracefully in a smaller pond in front of a depiction of Machu Picchu.
As with all events at Kew, this show is also an opportunity to learn and discover and this year’s Orchid Show comes packed with many interesting facts, peculiar and rare plants and living sculptures to delight and amaze visitors of all ages.
One of the stars of the show is the world’s largest bromeliad (Puya raimondii), also known as the Queen of the Andes known for its largest flower stalks that can reach 10 metres long. Another rarity is Blue Cereus, a cactus that is native to Peru and produces blue side shoots whilst the Rasberry Yoghurt plant, also a cactus, dazzles with its vibrant red flowers and the tangled glossy leaves that spiral and circle as the plant grows, sometimes as tall as 2 meters high.
Fun fact: Orchids are one of the largest families of flowering plants, with around 30,000 species due to its success in attracting diverse types of pollinators.
Source: Kew Gardens
And, to keep in step with the season, the giant Peruvian daffodil (Pamianthe peruviana) is also on display. This daffodil is very similar to orchids and grows on the surface of other plants, absorbing water and nutrients from the air. Extinct in the wild, this amazing plant produces enormous white flowers that are highly scented and it is one rare specimen that is part of Kew Garden’s collections. This year we are also looking forward to see the orchid-aviary that celebrates Peru’s diverse bird populations.
We love to bring the young ones to explore and get inspired by the colourful displays, learn and discuss all things plants, Peru and the scientific research projects at Kew and of course, take thousands of beautiful photos.
Orchids After Hours
For those seeking a magical evening experience, Orchids After Hours returns this year on Fridays and Saturdays between 7 and 22 February, for an evening in the glasshouse to explore the illuminated orchid displays after dark (6pm to 10pm) with entertainment from London-based artists and performers celebrating Peruvian music and culture.
Entry to the Orchid Festival is included with a ticket to Kew Gardens and tickets (and specific time slots) can be booked in advance via the website.
Please visit our family friendly selection of things to do in London this February for more ideas of fun things to do.