Orchids: A Complete Guide on How to Care for Them

Do you have a stunning orchid at home and wonder how to care for it properly? While they may look exclusive, orchids are surprisingly easy to maintain when you understand the right techniques.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about caring for your orchid – the ideal positioning, the dos and don’ts of watering, repotting and solving common problems. Are you ready to help your orchid thrive? Let’s begin!

Orchid characteristics profile

• Light: Abundant light, but avoid direct sunlight
• Water: Minimal, prefers moist potting soil
• Flowers: Wide variety of colours, blooming period and colour varies by species. Can flower for several months
• Humidity: High humidity levels. Moderate air-purifying qualities

Species of orchids

There are an astounding 25,000 different species of orchids, that we know of. This magnificent plant forms the largest plant family in the world and can be found almost everywhere. The phalaenopsis, also known as the moth orchid, is the most widespread variety.

You can instantly recognise this houseplant by its distinctive orchid flower, consisting of three sepals and three petals. In nature, this plant primarily grows on trees, in rock crevices or in well-aerated soil such as humus.

What makes this plant so special? The moth orchid can bloom up to three times a year, with a flowering period lasting between 2 and 6 months! Moreover, the plant thrives best at temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for the average living room.

Other popular orchid varieties include: the lady’s slipper, the violet orchid, the brassia and the cattleya.

Orchid flowers and colours

When it comes to colours, this beauty offers endless possibilities! Phalaenopsis can be found in white, yellow, pink and purple, often featuring stunning patterns. Dendrobium compact varieties come in white, blue and pink, while phalaenopsis hybrids showcase a vast spectrum: white, pink, purple, blue, red, yellow, green, brown and cream.

Where do orchids originate from?

The orchid family (orchidaceae) is among the largest plant families on Earth. There are an impressive 25,000 to 30,000 different species known, and new varieties continue to be discovered.

The most common orchid in Britain, the phalaenopsis, originates from Southeast Asia, the Philippines and Australia. In 1825, Dutch botanist Dr C.L. Blume first documented this species.

How long does an orchid typically bloom?

The flowering duration varies significantly between orchid species. Most orchids bloom just once yearly for 6 to 10 weeks. The butterfly orchid stands out as a remarkable exception.

With proper care, it can flower for 2 to 6 months and bloom 2 to 3 times annually. This makes this orchid an ideal houseplant, providing long-lasting colour indoors. For comparison, other popular orchid species have these average flowering periods:

• Dendrobium: 6 to 8 weeks
• Cattleya: 2 to 3 weeks
• Cymbidium: 8 to 10 weeks
• Miltonia (pansy orchid): 2 to 4 weeks
• Oncidium (tiger orchid): 5 to 8 weeks
• Vanda: 4 to 6 weeks

The basics of orchid plant care

Proper daily care makes the difference between a withering and a thriving orchid. By paying attention to a few simple things, you can keep your plant in prime condition for a very long time. On average, orchids live between 15 and 20 years.

These care tips apply generally. When purchasing special varieties, it’s wise to check the instructions on the packaging for specific guidance.

Where to place orchids

A suitable location is vital for your orchid’s health. This tropical beauty loves abundant light, but direct sunlight can dehydrate and scorch the leaves. An east-facing windowsill is perfect, as the plant receives morning light and remains in shade during later hours.

Suitable spots for your orchid include:

• A windowsill facing east, west, northwest or northeast
• A table several metres from the window
• A position in the middle of the room with sufficient daylight
• A bathroom with natural light (due to higher humidity)

However, avoid dark spaces like bedrooms with drawn curtains. Additionally, don’t place your orchid near radiators or in draughty areas, as this can damage the plant. Keep the plant away from ripening fruit, as the ethylene gas released by fruit accelerates the orchid’s ageing process.

How often, and how, should you water?

How often you need to water your orchid varies by season. Mostly, this houseplant prefers slightly moist potting soil. In summer, your orchid needs water approximately once a week, whilst in winter, once every ten days are typically sufficient.

When possible, check your plant’s roots: grey roots indicate it’s time to water, while green roots suggest there’s still adequate moisture present. Older roots may stay grey, so look for the younger ones as indicators.

Orchids prefer soft, lukewarm water. Rainwater or condensation from the tumble dryer is ideal because unlike tap water, it’s free from lime and minerals.

Humidity and temperature

Orchids thrive best at temperatures between 16 and 24 °C, which matches perfectly average room temperature. At night, the temperature should not drop too much, maintain a minimum of 14 °C.

Most orchids originally come from humid, tropical regions where humidity levels hover around 70%, while in an average living room it often drops below 40%. To increase humidity, you can:

• Place a small container of water next to the plant
• Group several plants together
• Lightly mist the leaves with demineralised water (avoid the flowers)
• Use a humidifier

By following these simple care tips, your orchid can bloom for years.

Feeding, pruning, and repotting orchids

Beyond basic care, this beautiful houseplant needs some extra attention to thrive optimally.

Feeding in spring and summer

For abundant blooming, your orchid requires additional nutrients during the growing season. Only feed your plant in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, the plant is dormant, making feeding potentially harmful. If you’ve just purchased an orchid, it doesn’t need extra feeding for the first two months: the fresh potting soil contains sufficient nutrients (for the immediate future).

Always use special orchid feed and follow the recommended dosage on the packaging. Overdosing can damage the roots. A good guideline is to fertilise the plant approximately twice per month during the growing season. This provides your orchid with sufficient energy, preventing orchid leaves from wilting and helping flowers stay beautiful longer.

Pruning orchids for new blooms

After flowering, pruning is essential to encourage your orchid to bloom again. Locate the third eye on the flower stem – a small node from which a new shoot can grow. Cut just above this eye with clean, sharp scissors. New flowers will emerge from this shoot.

If the stem is completely brown or withered, cut it off entirely at the base. For single-stemmed orchids, prune once the flowers have faded. For multi-stemmed varieties, cut above the second or third eye.

Don’t cut aerial roots

Those thick roots growing out of the pot? They’re aerial roots, and they’re more important than you might think. They absorb water and nutrients while providing extra support for your plant.

Our advice: leave them be. They’re part of the natural growth pattern of orchids. Only remove them when they are:

• Damaged, rotten or diseased (brown, mushy or black)
• Growing so large they become unsightly
• Interfering with repotting

Always use clean tools here as well to prevent problems.

Repotting orchids step by step

Want additional information? Read our complete guide on repotting plants here.

Common orchid problems

Even experienced growers sometimes face challenges with their orchids. Fortunately, most problems can be solved when you know what to look for.

Orchid care for drooping leaves

Droopy leaves are a clear signal that something is wrong with your orchid. Usually, the cause lies in water management. First, check the roots of your plant. Green roots indicate your orchid is getting sufficient water, while grey or greyish roots suggest the plant is too dry. Brown roots, however, indicate overwatering.

If the leaves are droopy and the roots are brown, immediately reduce watering. Remove any rotted roots and replant the aerial roots. If the roots are grey and the leaves are limp, submerge the orchid in lukewarm water, so the roots can absorb moisture again. Does your orchid have yellow leaves? This is often a sign of too much sunlight or a location that’s too cold.

What to do about bud drop?

An orchid dropping its buds is frustrating, yet occurs frequently. This issue primarily stems from three factors: low temperatures, incorrect watering (often overwatering) or insufficient light. When temperatures fall below 15 °C, the roots become inactive, causing the plant to shed its buds.

Additionally, sudden temperature fluctuations, draughts, cigarette smoke or ethylene gas from ripening fruit can contribute to bud loss. Therefore, keep your orchid away from fruit bowls and ensure a stable environment with temperatures between 16 and 32 degrees.

Tips to prevent bud drop:

• Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry between watering sessions
• Provide the plant with sufficient indirect sunlight
• Protect against temperature fluctuations
• Maintain proper humidity levels

Orchid pests

Orchids are sometimes susceptible to pests. Mealybugs are particularly common. These small, white insects can damage your plant. To keep these unwanted visitors at bay, it’s crucial to maintain proper humidity levels. Regular misting can also help deter mealybugs.

Orchid hibernation: fact or fiction?

There’s a common misconception that orchids need to hibernate, but this isn’t really the case. Unlike some other plants, tropical orchids don’t truly hibernate. What does happen: during winter, the plant’s metabolism slows due to reduced light and lower temperatures.

If your orchid loses its flowers in winter and doesn’t form new buds, this is a natural response to changing conditions. The key advice is to leave the plant alone. Particularly, avoid giving extra water or fertiliser to ‘wake it up’ from this ‘hibernation’ – this could actually harm the plant.

How to help your orchid through winter:

• Position the plant on a bright windowsill
• Water sparingly (only every 3 to 4 weeks)
• Stop fertilising
• Keep temperature above 14 °C

With patience, your orchid will produce new buds and beautiful flowers in spring.

FAQ about orchids

Get the orchid care started!

Caring for an orchid is actually quite manageable. When you understand and apply the basic principles, your orchid can be a stunning focal point in your home for years. By consistently following these care tips, your orchid will reward you with beautiful flowers that can bloom for up to 6 months. Are you interested in learning more about indoor gardening? Take a look at our ultimate guide to indoor gardening, and our guide on choosing plant substrates.

Do you have an essential tip for orchid care or a question? Please let us know in a comment below. Thank you and …

Happy gardening!

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!