A comprehensive guide to orchid plant care

Orchids are one of the largest groups of flowering plants and as a popular décor piece in many homes, it’s important to know how best to care for them. When these plants are properly looked after they can be beautiful, blooming in an array of vibrant colours. But this doesn’t mean they’re high maintenance. Orchid plant care is a simple job that’s important for the flower and means you can enjoy its vibrance for longer.

Orchids are low-maintenance houseplants that thrive in bright, indirect light, and humid environments. A windowsill or bright indoor space is the perfect location to display yours.
You should avoid overwatering your orchid by using clear plastic pots to see how your roots are doing. It’s recommended to water an orchid every 7–11 days and mist the leaves every 2–3 days.
When potting an orchid, use bark-based orchid compost, prune dead roots during repotting, and fertilise occasionally with feed formulated specifically for orchids.

The history of orchids

Orchids are one of the most ancient plant groups with a history spanning millions of years. They exist on almost every habitat on earth in the form of 28,000 species, initially being used for medicinal purposes around 4000 years ago in China and Japan. They also have a culinary history in ancient Greek and Aztec culture, and have become symbols of love, fertility and friendship in many Asian regions.

How to look after orchids

Orchid flowers are particularly prone to root rot which can happen when you continually overwater the plant. This is why you should never let the soil sit in water. The bonus of having orchids is that they’re less likely to attract pests, however, by caring for both the orchid and the area it lives in, you’ll be able to completely avoid this matter altogether.

You don’t need a lot of tools when it comes to orchid care; you just need water and a spray bottle to get the job done. And when it comes to repotting, you’ll need a clean plastic pot, compost, and some hand pruners.

How to pot and position an orchid

Orchids are particularly fond of humid environments which means keeping them inside is actually a good idea. When it comes to deciding where to put your orchid, keep in mind that they like bright light, so a windowsill is a great spot. However, do not keep them in direct sunlight for too long.

Potting an orchid correctly is also important. Use clear plastic pots as this helps mimic the natural exposure to light for the roots and avoid terracotta pots as the roots attach themselves to the surface and make repotting more difficult.

How to feed orchids

Having the right compost is key for helping the longevity of your plant. Orchids thrive most when air is able to circulate around their roots, making bark-based compost a great option. It’s best to go for any product named ‘orchid compost’ or ‘pine bark’.

When it comes to fertilisers, orchids don’t rely on this as much as many other house plants. When you do want to use a fertiliser though, go for a product specifically formulated for orchids

How to water orchids

Overwatering can bring an early end to your orchid, making clear plastic orchid pots a no-brainer as you can see the amount of water settling in the soil. Another reason a clear plastic pot can be handy is because the roots of the most common orchid, the Moth Orchid, change colour depending on their watering needs. If they’re green, they’re hydrated enough and don’t need watering, but if they’re grey, they’re dry and need some attention.

Orchids like warm water (which is why they thrive in rainwater) so when it comes to watering them, keep this in mind. To avoid repeated overwatering, use a spray bottle as this will moisten the leaves perfectly. We recommend watering your orchid every 7 to 11 days and spraying the orchid’s leaves every two to three days to help keep them moist.

How to prune an orchid

Orchids don’t need pruning quite as much as many other plants, and when they do, it will be more of a light trim. They’ll only need it in certain situations such as removing dead roots for repotting, trimming to fit your space, or trying to revive a dying orchid.

When pruning to reflower, you should cut off the stem half an inch below the second node, and in six weeks, a new stalk will begin to grow from it. Make sure to place the plant in indirect sunlight so it has enough energy to grow a new stem.

How to repot orchids

Repotting your orchid is really easy. First, clean any old compost off the plant and remove any dead or damaged roots using hand pruners. Then place the healthy roots into your plastic pot and fill it with soil.

Orchids are great house plants, and they’re the perfect choice for those beginning their indoor plant journey. They can yield beautiful results with not much fuss and are extremely perseverant. With little orchid care needed, they’ll bloom regularly too, so you can enjoy them throughout the year. Looking to grow some more plants? Check out our Garden Calendar to see when to start.

Orchid care FAQs

Orchids are not poisonous to cats and are considered to be non-toxic. If ingested, they can cause stomach issues and mild sickness but are generally not anything to worry about.

If an orchid is truly dead it can’t be revived, but they can often look dead while still having some life in them. To revive it, you may need to take it out of its pot and trim off any dead or shrivelled roots, especially if you see signs of root rot. If it does need repotting, avoid doing this while it’s blooming. To revive a dying orchid, you may also need to adjust the watering schedule. If it’s being underwatered, the leaves will be soft and wrinkly, and if it’s being overwatered, they’ll be yellow and falling off.

Depending on the species, orchids can live for as long as 15-20 years with good care and attention. When they flower, a bloom will last for 2-3 months and this usually happens twice a year.