Gardening Houseplants Houseplant Care

Orchid Care & Growing Guide

Orchid care tips for beginners and experienced gardeners

How to Grow and Care for Orchids Indoors

The Spruce / Katie Kerpel

A popular houseplant, orchids (Orchidaceae) are easy to grow and care for once you understand the ideal growing conditions and maintenance requirements. While there are thousands of orchid species to choose from, the most commonly sold orchids are Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobiumand Cymbidium.

With similar physical characteristics and spectacular blooms, you can follow this orchid plant care and growing guide for healthy plants.

Common Name Orchid, moth orchid, corsage orchid, boat orchid
Botanical Name Orchidaceae
Family Orchidaceae
Plant Type Perennial, herbaceous
Mature Size 1–3 ft. tall, 6–12 in. wide
Sun Exposure Partial shade
Soil Type Well-drained
Soil pH Acidic
Bloom Time Varies
Flower Color Pink, purple, white, red, yellow, orange, green
Hardiness Zones 5–11 (USDA)
Native Area North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Caribbean
Toxicity Non-toxic to dogs and cats

Orchid Care

The golden rule for indoor orchid care is to duplicate the plant's natural growing behavior as closely as possible. In the wild, they cling to rough bark and their roots are exposed.

When you first get your orchid, it will likely be healthy and in bloom. Unfortunately, many store-bought orchids are potted in a medium that can cause root rot.

Never repot an orchid while it's in bloom, just reduce the amount of water it receives until the blooms fade. Follow these care tips to keep an orchid alive and thriving:

  • Choose a location with plenty of bright, indirect light; a south- or east-facing window is ideal
  • Allow the growing medium to dry out between waterings
  • Feed with an orchid-specific fertilizer or a balanced fertilizer formula such as 20-20-20 at one-fourth strength after thoroughly watering the plant once a week. Reduce fertilization during the months that your species of orchid is dormant after flowering (typically in winter).
a phalaenopsis orchid
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
an orchid in bloom
Phalaenopsis orchids The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Dendrobium orchids
Dendrobium orchids

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

an orchid packed in moss
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
cutting an orchid a little above the node
The Spruce / Alonda Baird

Light

Orchids need bright light to produce blooms. However, direct sun can burn them. Opt for bright, indirect light from a south- or east-facing window.

Soil

Orchids will not thrive in regular potting soil or potting mix. Purchase or make a DIY orchid-growing medium, which should be lightweight and fast-draining. Common mixes include bark, sphagnum moss, perlite, and peat. A slightly acidic soil pH is ideal.

Water

Orchids typically need water twice a week in the warmer months when the plant is actively growing and only once a week in the colder months. Use room-temperature water, and water slowly until it flows out of the pot's drainage openings. 

Orchids need to dry out between waterings to prevent rot. If the growing medium feels dry to the touch and the pot feels light, it's time to water.

Or, look at the roots themselves: if they’re plump and white or green, that means they’re well-watered. If they’re shriveled and gray, they need water. If they’re shriveled but spongey and black or brown, they might be rotting.

Temperature and Humidity

Depending how they're classified, orchids do best in ranges between 50 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer humidity levels from around 40% to 70%.

You can keep an orchid blooming longer if you provide a warm and somewhat humid environment. Don't place your orchid where it will experience cold drafts, exposure to direct sunlight, or dry air from heating vents.

Fertilizer

During the growing season which for most orchids is spring and summer, use an orchid-specific fertilizer, following label instructions. Don't fertilize during the winter months.

Orchid Care After Flowering

When the blooms drop, shift your care to long-term maintenance. Most growers snip off the old flower spike near the base. Also after the orchid blooms fall off, you can repot your plant into a more suitable container with a light, porous growing medium and a pot that allows for good airflow, such as unglazed clay or a pot specially designed for orchids with holes in its sides.

Types of Orchids

About 30,000 species of orchids live in the wild along with more than 100,000 registered hybrids. Knowing the orchid variety you have is essential for its care. The majority of commonly-available orchid groups for purchase are:

  • Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) have round flowers with a pronounced lip that grow on a single tall stalk arising from a whorl of fleshy, oval leaves. Flowers are usually white, purple, pink, or a combination.
  • Dendrobium (cane orchids) have small flowers that grow in rows on stalks that rise from thick canes, often with several flower clusters per plant. Flowers are typically white or purple. Dendrobium leaves are narrow and emerge from the sides of the cane.
  • Cattleya (corsage orchids) are the most frequently used orchids in corsages, Cattleya orchids have been widely hybridized, leading to a large variety of colors and forms. Some varieties are quite fragrant and many have appealing freckles, streaks, or other bicolor features.
  • Cymbidium (boat orchids) have multiple flower spikes to ensure a satisfying display. Good choices for beginners include the lime green 'Chica', the yellow and red 'Showoff', or the bright pink 'Frae', all recipients of the American Orchid Society’s Highly Commended Certificate.

Pruning Orchids

Properly pruning old growth from the orchid will make way for new blooms. When pruning an orchid, make sure your tool is sharp and sterilized. A clean cut will help to keep an orchid healthy.

Different orchids require different pruning methods, however, remove faded orchid blooms to keep the plant from spending energy on old growth. After flowering is complete, you can cut off the flower spike. However, certain orchid varieties (Phalaenopsis) are known to rebloom on the same spike. In that case, you should remove the faded blooms but not the spike.

Propagating Orchids

Propagating orchids by seed is notoriously difficult because the minuscule seeds need extremely specific conditions that are hard to duplicate. The most common way to propagate an orchid is by division:

  1. Moisten the growing medium to make it easier to remove the plant from the container.
  2. Examine the roots of the orchid, and remove damaged or dead parts that appear black, mushy, or paper-thin. Healthy roots are firm and plump.
  3. Tease apart some of the roots and stems. If they won't separate by hand, use a sharp, sterile cutting tool.
  4. Repot each plant in new orchid growing medium, stake if necessary, and water.

Potting and Repotting Orchids

If the orchid's roots are growing out of the pot excessively or the growing medium has completely broken down, it’s time to repot. Wait until you're sure your plant is done flowering before repotting your orchid.

  1. Gently remove the orchid from its old container, moistening the growing medium as necessary to make it easier to slide the plant out.
  2. Cut away any dead or damaged roots with a sterile cutting tool.
  3. Set the orchid in the slightly larger container, and fill around the roots with fresh growing medium.
  4. Because the roots won't be anchored to the medium yet, stake the plant if necessary to help it stay upright. Eventually, new roots will grow throughout the medium and attach to the pot anchoring the orchid.

Tips

When repotting, always choose an appropriate orchid pot to promote healthy growth:

  • Clear plastic pots with multiple slots allow water to drain away and allow you to monitor the health of the roots. Place the pots in a more attractive ceramic outer pot.
  • Terracotta is an inexpensive, popular choice because it dries out quickly.
  • Specialty orchid pots have a lacework of holes on the sides of the pot to allow air circulation around the roots. When purchasing one of these pots make sure that the holes aren’t too big. You don’t want the potting media to fall out when watering.

How to Get Orchids to Bloom and Rebloom

An orchid should bloom at least once a year, though species vary in their bloom cycles. Flowers generally last, on average, two to four months.

If your orchid won't bloom, some varieties like Phalaenopsis can be stimulated to bloom by dropping the temperature down for a few nights. But the most reliable way to ensure rebloom is to provide the proper light, moisture, temperature, humidity, food, and growing medium.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Orchids don't tend to have major pest problems. But they can be appetizing for common plant pests, including aphids, fungus gnats, mealybugs, spider mites, scale, cigar-shaped thrips, and whiteflies.

Most pests can be eliminated with a gentle brush of the hand, a jet of water, or spraying them with insecticidal soap. Another solution to control insect populations is neem oil, which can smother pests.

In addition to root rot from overwatering, orchids also can become afflicted with various fungal diseases, such as anthracnose, phytophthora (black spots on leaves), botrytis, leaf algae, and petal blight.

Common Problems With Orchids

Once an orchid finds a suitable spot and falls into a routine, the plant should produce healthy growth and reward you with a beautiful bloom. However, subpar conditions can result in some common problems.

Leaves Shriveled and Wrinkled

Shriveled and wrinkled leaves indicate that the orchid is not receiving enough water. The culprit is often unhealthy roots. If the roots are black and mushy, use a sterile cutting tool to remove the bad roots, and repot the orchid in a new growing medium. If the roots are plump and white or green, but the leaves are shriveled the plant is being underwatered.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Overwatering and root rot are often the cause of yellowing leaves. Give the orchid growing medium time to dry out between waterings. If that doesn't work, repot the plant and remove any unhealthy roots.

 Drooping Leaves

If the leaves are drooping, you may be underwatering the orchid. Orchids thrive with consistent levels of moisture. Another cause is too little light. Move the orchid to a spot with bright, indirect light.

Buds Dropping

If buds drop before they bloom, the plant is under stress. Investigate the orchid's environment and perhaps move it to a better spot. Look for the following possible issues and environmental conditions that might be affecting the plant:

  • Underwatered or overwatered
  • Swings in temperature due to a heating vent, air conditioner, or other drafts
  • Nearby chemical fumes (paint or gas, for example)
  • Placement near plants or fruits that are producing ethylene gas
  • Low-humidity

Yellow or Brown Flowering Stems

The flowering stems can turn yellow or brown due to overwatering, sunburn from harsh light, lack of nutrients, or fungal infestation. Remember, it is normal for older flowering stems to turn brown after the blooms have fallen off.

FAQ
  • Are orchids easy to grow?

    Orchids are easier to grow than you might think when grown and cared for with the right conditions.

  • How long can an orchid live?

    Most orchids seem almost indestructible and can live a very long life—for decades or more—given the right environment.

  • Where should I cut an orchid stem when the blooms are gone?

    Cut the stem or flower spike back to its base after the flowers drop. Always use a sharp sterilized tool such as scissors or a razor blade to remove the spike. The one exception is a spike on a Phalaenopsis orchid. The species can set a second bloom of fewer and smaller flowers on the same spike. Rather than cutting the spike to the base, cut it back to the first two or three nodes.

  • How long does it take an orchid to rebloom?

    Orchids typically bloom once a year, although some species can bloom more than once. The growth of a flower spike and the blooming process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. 

Originally written by
Jon VanZile

Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. He is a professional writer whose articles on plants and horticulture have appeared in national and regional newspapers and magazines.

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  1. Orchid Care and Repotting. The University of Connecticut.

  2. Pests and Diseases: Mealybugs on Orchids. American Orchid Society.

  3. Orchid Pests and Diseases - Orchid Diseases. St. Augustine Orchid Society.

  4. What Causes Orchid Leaves to Turn Yellow and Shrivel? University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center.

  5. What’s wrong with my orchid? American Orchid Society.