A Singapore-bred orchid hybrid

What is Vanda Miss Joaquim?

Vanda Miss Joaquim is an orchid hybrid belonging to the family Orchidaceae.

Unlike an orchid species that occurs naturally in the wild, this plant originated from a deliberate cross between two parent species.

Its parentage is:

Papilionanthe teres as the pod parent and Papilionanthe hookeriana as the pollen parent.

The hybrid was produced by Agnes Joaquim in Singapore in 1893.

It later became one of the best-known orchids associated with Singapore’s horticultural history.

Chosen from dozens of candidates

Why is Vanda Miss Joaquim Singapore’s national flower?

In 1981, Vanda Miss Joaquim was selected from among 40 flowers to become Singapore’s national flower.

The qualities associated with the orchid help explain the choice.

It is known for its bright colours, hardiness, resilience and free-flowering nature.

Those characteristics were seen as fitting qualities to represent the Singapore spirit.

The choice also connects Singapore’s national identity with the country’s long history of orchid cultivation and hybridisation.

That distinction matters.

It is inaccurate to say simply that “orchids are Singapore’s national flower.”

Singapore’s national flower is specifically Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, widely known as Vanda Miss Joaquim.

The woman behind Singapore’s famous orchid

Who was Agnes Joaquim?

Agnes Joaquim was a member of Singapore’s historic Armenian community and an accomplished horticulturist.

In 1893, she successfully crossed the two parent orchids that produced Vanda Miss Joaquim.

The hybrid was subsequently described and named by H. N. Ridley, then Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The orchid therefore carries not only botanical importance but also part of Singapore’s multicultural horticultural heritage.

More than a century later, her hybrid remains one of the country’s best-known floral symbols.

Pink, purple, white and orange in one distinctive flower

What does Vanda Miss Joaquim look like?

One of the easiest ways to recognise Vanda Miss Joaquim is through the contrast between its petals, sepals and brightly coloured lip.

Flower size

An individual flower is approximately 6 cm high and 5 cm wide.

This is different from saying that the whole orchid plant is only 5 cm wide or 50 cm tall.

Vanda Miss Joaquim is a climbing orchid with long, slender stems that require support.

Petals and sepals

The top sepal and petals are typically light pink, while the lower sepals are white.

The petals are generally rounder than the more oval-shaped sepals.

The colourful lip

At the centre is a distinctive pinkish-purple lip with an orange centre and reddish-to-purple spotting.

This contrast is one of the features that gives the flower its recognisable appearance.

Several flowers can appear on one inflorescence

An inflorescence can carry up to around 12 flowers, although typically only several flowers are mature at the same time.

In Singapore’s climate, the hybrid is considered free-flowering and can produce blooms throughout the year.

Forget the old idea that it must stay indoors

How does Vanda Miss Joaquim grow?

Older care guides sometimes describe Vanda Miss Joaquim as an orchid that should not be grown outdoors.

That is misleading.

The orchid actually prefers an open, sunny environment with high humidity and good air movement.

Its tropical growing habit is one reason it performs well in Singapore.

It is a climbing orchid

The plant develops long, slender stems rather than remaining as a short, compact houseplant.

Those stems need a post, stake or another form of sturdy support.

It likes strong light

Vanda Miss Joaquim is classified as a full-sun orchid.

That makes its needs different from many Phalaenopsis orchids commonly kept indoors, which usually prefer bright but indirect light.

If a plant has previously been grown under lower light, increase exposure gradually rather than moving it abruptly into intense sun.

Humidity should come with airflow

High humidity suits this tropical hybrid, but humid air should not become stagnant air.

Good circulation helps create a more suitable growing environment around the leaves and roots.

Support is important for flowering

The long stems should be tied carefully to supports.

The upper part of the plant needs room to continue growing above its support before flowering.

Care it like Vanda Miss Joaquim, not like every other orchid

How to care for Vanda Miss Joaquim

1. Give it plenty of light

Choose an open, bright location with strong light.

Unlike many common indoor orchids, Vanda Miss Joaquim is adapted to full-sun conditions.

2. Water according to conditions, not a fixed twice-daily rule

There is no need to follow a universal rule that every plant must be sprayed exactly twice each day.

Watering frequency depends on heat, rain, humidity, air movement and the growing setup.

The goal is to keep the orchid adequately hydrated without leaving its roots in persistently stagnant, waterlogged conditions.

3. Maintain high humidity and airflow

Singapore’s humid climate is naturally suitable, but keep air moving around the plant.

Crowded, constantly wet and poorly ventilated conditions are not the same as healthy humidity.

4. Give the stems support

Vanda Miss Joaquim is a climber.

Use posts or another stable support system and secure stems without crushing them.

5. Feed regularly using an orchid fertiliser

Good nutrition supports vigorous growth and flowering.

Rather than relying on a universal recipe such as “one teaspoon in five litres”, use a fertiliser suitable for orchids and follow the product’s dilution and frequency instructions.

Different formulations can have different concentrations, so one fixed recipe should not be applied to every fertiliser.

6. Watch the whole plant, not only the flower colour

Do not diagnose light problems simply by saying “yellow petals mean sunburn” or “green petals mean the plant needs more sunlight”.

Petal colour is primarily part of the flower’s genetics and natural ageing.

For plant health, look instead at leaf condition, growth, root health, watering conditions and signs of physical or pest damage.

7. Keep the growing area clean

Regularly inspect the stems, leaves and growing area.

If you notice a pest or disease problem, identify it first before choosing a treatment.

Avoid routinely spraying pesticides simply as a general precaution.

Vanda Miss Joaquim is not the same as a supermarket Phalaenopsis

Vanda Miss Joaquim vs common potted orchids

Check the exact orchid before buying

Can you buy Vanda Miss Joaquim online in Singapore?

Vanda Miss Joaquim may be available through specialist nurseries, orchid growers or plant sellers from time to time.

However, do not assume that every orchid sold online in Singapore is Vanda Miss Joaquim.

If you specifically want the national flower, look for the exact name:

Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim or Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Check whether the listing is for a live plant, a cutting, a young plant, or cut flowers, because these are very different products.

If the goal is instead to send an elegant orchid gift, you have more options.

FlowerAdvisor Singapore’s orchid collection includes current potted orchids and orchid arrangements for gifting and home décor.

A current orchid alternative

Looking for an orchid you can send as a gift?

1 Stalk Orchid in a Pot - Modest Elegance

If your priority is sending a living orchid plant rather than specifically buying Vanda Miss Joaquim, 1 Stalk Orchid in a Pot - Modest Elegance is one current alternative.

The arrangement uses a single Phalaenopsis orchid stalk presented in a pot.

That is important: Phalaenopsis is not Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Its care requirements also differ. The current product instructions recommend a bright indoor area with indirect light and light watering, whereas Vanda Miss Joaquim is a full-sun, climbing orchid.

This makes the Phalaenopsis option more suitable for someone seeking a compact indoor orchid gift.

View Modest Elegance

Know what you are actually shopping for

Vanda Miss Joaquim plant vs orchid gift: which one do you need?

Frequently asked questions

FAQs about Vanda Miss Joaquim