Who Is Martha Stewart? Know About Her Most Prized Flower Which Is 50 Years Old

These historic plants, currently with around 30 gigantic specimens in full bloom, represent decades of dedication and a heartfelt connection to her past. Based on her exclusive February 2026 interview with People magazine and insights from her official blog (themarthablog.com), this comprehensive guide explores Martha Stewart’s life, career, and the extraordinary story of her prized flowers.

Who Is Martha Stewart? The Life and Legacy of a Lifestyle Icon

Born Martha Helen Kostyra on August 3, 1941, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Martha Stewart is a Polish-American icon who turned everyday living into an art form. A model, stockbroker, caterer, bestselling author, and media mogul, she has authored over 90 books, launched the groundbreaking Martha Stewart Living magazine (1990), and built Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia into a powerhouse.

Her influence spans cooking, entertaining, decorating, and gardening, making “Martha Stewart” a household name synonymous with excellence and accessibility.

From Humble Beginnings to Building a Media Empire

Raised in Nutley, New Jersey, as one of six children, Stewart learned practical skills early—cooking with her mother and gardening with her father. She studied European history and art at Barnard College while modeling to pay tuition.

After a successful stint as a Wall Street stockbroker in the 1960s–70s, she launched a catering business from her Westport, Connecticut basement. Her 1982 debut book Entertaining became a bestseller, leading to TV shows, a magazine, and a public company in 1999. Despite challenges, including a 2004–2005 legal matter from which she fully rebounded, Stewart’s resilience cemented her as a self-made American success story.

Martha Stewart’s Lifelong Passion for Gardening and Plants

Gardening has been Martha Stewart’s constant companion. From childhood vegetable patches to her sprawling Bedford, New York farm with extensive greenhouses, she has cultivated thousands of plants.

She views gardening as both science and joy, regularly sharing tips via her blog, social media, and partnerships. Her hands-on expertise has earned her the trust of gardeners worldwide.

Revealing Her Most Prized Flowers: The Legendary Dendrobium Orchids

Among her vast collection, Martha’s most prized flowers are her dendrobium orchids.

As she told People in February 2026:

“Right now in full bloom are about 30 gigantic dendrobium orchids. You would think maybe they’re honeysuckle when you look at them from a distance because they have tiny little pink and white flowers on them.”

These epiphytic orchids are vigorous growers that produce abundant, fragrant blooms year after year.

Over 50 Years Old: The Heartwarming Origin Story of These Orchids

The orchids’ age makes them truly special. Martha received the original plants from her neighbor Margaret Rudkin, the visionary founder of Pepperidge Farm.

Rudkin lived in Fairfield, Connecticut—right down the road—and maintained small greenhouses. When she sold her home, she gifted the orchids to Stewart shortly before her death in 1967.

“I got them originally from the lady who started Pepperidge Farm, Margaret Rudkin… She sold the house, and she gave me the orchids. I’ve had them ever since,” Stewart shared.

This living heirloom has thrived under Martha’s care for over 58 years, turning a thoughtful neighborly gesture into horticultural history.

Beauty, Blooms & Fragrance: Why These Historic Orchids Stand Out

What makes these dendrobium orchids legendary? Their delicate yet abundant tiny pink-and-white flowers resemble honeysuckle clusters, while their intoxicating scent is unmatched.

Martha describes it perfectly:

“They smell like the finest perfume ever made.”

She frequently brings fresh blooms indoors to perfume her home, proving that beauty and fragrance can endure for generations with proper care.

Martha Stewart’s Expert Care Tips for Long-Lasting Dendrobium Orchids

Martha’s success comes from proven, practical methods (shared on themarthablog.com and her Miracle-Gro partnership):

• Potting Mix: Use a coarse, well-draining orchid mix with bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and lava rock (she recommends Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix Coarse Blend).
• Light: Bright, indirect light with good air circulation.
• Temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C) daytime; slightly cooler nights to promote blooming.
• Humidity: 50–60% with excellent ventilation.
• Watering: Water thoroughly when the mix is nearly dry; never let roots sit in water.
• Fertilizing: “Weekly, weakly” with balanced orchid fertilizer or organic Miracle-Gro products—she states, “The most available and the most easily understood plant foods are the organics that Miracle-Gro is making right now.”
• Repotting: Every 2–3 years in clay pots (which dry faster) when roots outgrow the container.

These techniques have kept her 50+ year-old orchids thriving.

Gardening as Self-Care: Martha’s Holistic Wellness Philosophy

For Martha, gardening is integral to holistic wellness. She prioritizes personal care first:

“I take care of me, I take care of my plants, I take care of my animals. I wouldn’t go into my greenhouses if I didn’t have my own personal care taken care of first.”

Diet, skincare, and mindfulness all support her ability to nurture her green friends—making gardening true self-care.

Martha Stewart in 2026: Chief Gardening Officer and Timeless Influence

In 2025, Scotts Miracle-Gro named Martha Chief Gardening Officer, a role where she advises on product innovation, visits headquarters in Ohio, and helps make gardening accessible to all.

At 84 in 2026, she remains a vibrant force—blooming new rose varieties, sharing daily inspiration, and proving that passion has no expiration date. Her 50-year-old dendrobium orchids stand as living proof.

Conclusion Martha Stewart’s story—and her legendary dendrobium orchids—teaches us that with knowledge, consistency, and love, both people and plants can flourish for decades. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, start small, use quality products like Miracle-Gro organics, and enjoy the journey.