As a class of small non-coding RNAs, microRNA (miRNA) is widely present and plays important regulatory roles in plant growth, development and stress response. Based on the mechanism of miRNAs in plants, we review the identification of miRNAs in some genera of Orchidaceae, the specific functions of several miRNAs and other relevant studies on miRNAs in the last decade, in order to provide a reference for better understanding function and regulatory network of small RNAs in orchids.