Quick answer
- In Order of the Phoenix, Harry describes Luna's earrings as looking like orange radishes; she also wears a Butterbeer cork necklace.
- In Deathly Hallows, Harry sees the same fruit growing at the Lovegood house, labeled Dirigible Plums.
- So radish earrings and dirigible plum earrings describe the same thing.
- Fan versions are usually orange radish shapes with green leaves, in clay, beads, resin or enamel.
Dirigible plum earrings are Luna Lovegood's signature accessory, and they're a perfect example of what we mean by "like cabbages at snack time": charmingly, confidently out of place. If you've wondered whether Luna wears radishes or plums, the answer is both, depending on who's looking. Here's what the books actually say and how to wear the look yourself.
Radish earrings or dirigible plums?
Luna is introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. From Harry's point of view, her earrings look like orange radishes, and she wears a necklace made of Butterbeer corks. Readers fell for the details immediately, and "radish earrings" stuck.
The twist arrives in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. When Harry, Ron and Hermione visit the Lovegood home, Harry notices a bush heavy with orange, radish-like fruit and a sign warning visitors to keep off the Dirigible Plums. The fruit looks just like Luna's earrings, which is how readers connected the dots.
| Book | What appears | What it tells us |
|---|---|---|
| Order of the Phoenix | Luna's earrings, which Harry thinks look like orange radishes; Butterbeer cork necklace | Her look is homemade and unbothered |
| Deathly Hallows | Dirigible Plums growing outside the Lovegood house | The "radishes" are a magical plant the Lovegoods grow |
In the Deathly Hallows visit, Xenophilius Lovegood suggests the plums help you accept the extraordinary. It's a lovely idea for an earring: a small reminder to stay open to strange things.
Why the look is so loved
Luna's style works because she isn't trying to impress anyone. Her accessories are homemade, a little odd and completely sincere. That's an attitude more than an outfit, and it translates well to real jewelry.
In the films, Luna's beaded radish earrings are widely reported to have been made by Evanna Lynch herself, which only adds to their homemade charm. Fans reproduce the film version and book-inspired versions with equal affection.
Lean into the mismatch. A dirigible plum in one ear and a tiny star or moon stud in the other is pure Luna, and very much our kind of curated ear.
Finding dirigible plum earrings
Most dirigible plum earrings are fan-made, sold by independent makers and craft sellers, with occasional licensed versions from merch lines. The common styles include:
- Polymer clay radishes with green leaf tops. Light, colorful and the most popular.
- Beaded versions that echo the film pair, with orange beads and green seed-bead leaves.
- Resin or glass drops for a shinier finish.
- Enamel studs for a small, everyday version.
- Leather or felt pieces for an ultra-light, crafty take.
Look for clear photos of the hooks, a note on materials, and a sense of size. Large clay dangles are usually lighter than they look, but metal or glass versions can pull on the lobe.
Other Luna-inspired earring ideas
If radishes aren't your thing, Luna's world has plenty of other motifs. Fans borrow from the Spectrespecs she hands out with The Quibbler, from her lion headdress at a Quidditch match, and from the general dreaminess of the Ravenclaw palette.
- Blue and bronze studs for a quiet Ravenclaw nod.
- Mismatched moon and star drops for her stargazing, slightly otherworldly vibe.
- Tiny cork or bottle-cap charms that echo the Butterbeer cork necklace.
How to DIY dirigible plum earrings
This is one of the easiest fandom earrings to make yourself, which feels fitting for Luna.
- Shape two small teardrops of orange polymer clay, slightly fatter at the bottom.
- Add a few faint lines with a needle for texture.
- Press a small piece of green clay on top and shape it into two or three leaves.
- Insert an eye pin through the top before baking according to the clay's instructions.
- Once cool, seal with a matte or satin varnish and attach hypoallergenic hooks.
Choose titanium, niobium or nickel-free hooks so your homemade pair doesn't irritate your ears. If you're new to the hardware side, our earring types guide explains hooks, leverbacks and more.
Wearing the Luna look today
Dirigible plum earrings shine with simple clothes: a plain sweater, a denim jacket, a slip dress. Let them be the one strange thing in the outfit. Add a cork or bead necklace only if you want the full cosplay.
For a more grown-up version, choose a small enamel radish stud and pair it with a thin gold hoop or a cute cartilage earring. Not pierced? Clip-on versions are easy to find or make with clip-on findings. And if your ear is newly pierced, keep the novelty pieces for after it's healed, ideally with your piercer's go-ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Are Luna Lovegood's earrings radishes or dirigible plums?
Both descriptions point to the same earrings. Harry thinks they look like orange radishes in Order of the Phoenix, and Deathly Hallows shows the same fruit growing as Dirigible Plums.
What necklace does Luna Lovegood wear?
In Order of the Phoenix she wears a necklace made of Butterbeer corks, another homemade detail fans love to recreate.
What do dirigible plums do?
In Deathly Hallows, Xenophilius Lovegood suggests they help you accept the extraordinary. It's his belief rather than a proven fact in the story.
Are dirigible plum earrings easy to make?
Yes. Orange and green polymer clay, eye pins and hypoallergenic hooks are enough for a simple pair that bakes in a home oven.
