May 2 – June 1, 2026

 

Returning for its sixth year, San Diego Botanic Garden’s annual orchid showcase blooms anew from May 2 through June 1 with a new theme: Orchids in the Wild. Hosted in the 8,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed Dickinson Family Education Conservatory, the exhibition transforms the space into a lush, living landscape inspired by orchids in their natural habitats. Explore hundreds of orchid species, with stunning new varieties featured each week!

Tickets On Sale Soon! 

 

This special exhibition requires an additional charge of $7 for non-members ages 18 and over. Members receive free admission. Please see below for more information and pricing details.

 

Skip to:  Plant Sales   |   Members  |  Classes   |   Pricing  |   Orchids at Night   |   Orchid Care  |   FAQs

 

Plant Sales

On-site vendor booths will be featured each weekend, offering a curated selection of orchids, houseplants, and specialty plant-related products.

Vendors
Guests walking through SDBG 2022 World of Orchids event

Members

Members receive free exhibition entry and are invited to attend the exclusive Member Preview on May 1, enjoying an early look at this year’s showcase.

Member Benefits

Classes

Hands-on classes will complement the exhibition, featuring returning favorites alongside engaging new workshops for plant enthusiasts.

Class List

Wander through naturalistic displays that bring the beauty of orchids’ native habitats indoors.

Our 8,000-square-foot Dickinson Family Education Conservatory will be transformed into mossy understories, tropical canopies, and other immersive environments, showcasing hundreds of striking specimens, locally bred hybrids, and rare species.

Discover nature’s artistry up close. From bold stripes and speckles, to intricate spots and gradients, wild orchids feature striking patterns similar to those of leopards and cheetahs – each bloom a masterpiece of survival and attraction. These mesmerizing designs aren’t just beautiful, they’re essential: helping orchids lure pollinators and thrive in diverse habitats around the world.

Curated by San Diego Botanic Garden Director of Horticulture Juan Solomon, Orchids in the Wild features not only the Garden’s own orchids but also plants on loan from private growers belonging to the San Diego County Orchid Society and the Palomar Orchid Society, as well as orchids and materials from local businesses

Whether you’re a dedicated orchid enthusiast or simply drawn to nature’s remarkable diversity, Orchids in the Wild invites you to explore these extraordinary plants as they appear in their natural environments—lush, vibrant, and full of life.

Plant Sales

Browse a curated selection of orchids, houseplants, and specialty plant products from local vendors and orchid experts! Taking place every weekend during the exhibition, the marketplace will be located adjacent to the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory and is open to all Garden guests with general admission.

Member Benefits

San Diego Botanic Garden Members enjoy free entry to the Orchids in the Wild exhibition. SDBG Members also get exclusive early access to the exhibition before it opens to the public with a members-only preview on May 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Become a Member!

Classes

From beginners curious about orchids to seasoned collectors looking to expand their knowledge, our orchid classes offer something for everyone. Members also enjoy special discounts on all sessions!

Check back for classes as they are added.

Pricing

This special exhibition requires an additional charge for non-members ages 18 and over. All visitors enjoy free parking every day of the week. 

Members: Free 

Non-Members: $7 + General Admission 

Youth (3-17): Included in General Admission

Child (under 3): Free

Please see FAQ section below for information about Guest Tickets and reciprocal program pricing

Orchids at Night

The Conservatory comes alive in a whole new light with Orchids at Night (21+). Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of orchids in this adults-only atmosphere. 

Check back soon for more details!

 

 

FAQs

Tickets / Reservations

San Diego Botanic Garden is dedicated to presenting high quality and relevant exhibitions to our guests. These special exhibitions require additional financial resources to facilitate and account for rising production costs.

Thank you for being a Member! This exhibition is free for all Garden members. 

This is one of our most popular seasonal exhibitions, attracting thousands of guests each year. We highly recommend that all guests make an advance reservation online for your visit (including Members). Walk-up admissions for the exhibition are not guaranteed on high-volume days. 

Please note: SDBG will accommodate ticket types that require in-person general admissions including Guest Tickets,  Museums for All and reciprocal memberships.

For online purchases, you will be prompted to add exhibition tickets to your cart during the checkout process for general admission tickets. Please add these to get entry to the special exhibition. Walk-up admissions will be available, but are not guaranteed on high-volume days.

This exhibition is hosted in our enclosed Dickinson Family Education Conservatory with installations set up along a one-way directional pathway. To help ensure the best experience possible and manage crowds, we ask that you arrive within the 30-minute time window allocated on your tickets (i.e. 9:30-10 a.m.). 

SDBG Guest Tickets provide daytime entry to the Garden. The special exhibition pricing ($7) still applies to visitors 18+ using a Guest Ticket.

Reciprocal admission provides daytime entry to the Garden. The special exhibition pricing ($7) still applies to visitors 18+ using a reciprocal membership. 

San Diego Botanic Garden is an active supporter of the federal program, Museums for All. Any guest with a Museums for All membership or purchasing a day admission under the Museums for All program will receive $1 general admission to the Garden.  The special exhibition pricing ($7) still applies for Museums for All visitors 18+. 

Visitor Services

Yes. Your exhibition ticket will grant you access to the showcase throughout the day. Pending the number of guests confirmed for any given time slot, you may be asked to wait or come back during a less crowded time. 

Yes! Plant sales will be set up on select days adjacent to the Conservatory building, and will be accessible with general admission to all Garden guests regardless of ticket type.

Yes! You will be able to purchase a special exhibition ticket as long as they are available. Please note that walk-up admission is not guaranteed

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