How to Take Care of Indoor Orchids and Keep Them Alive for Years to Come

Experts say orchids are a good plant for gardening novices. “While they look delicate, they're actually quite easy to care for. Unlike some finicky plants, moth orchids specifically are pretty adaptable and forgiving, making them perfect for beginners,” says Anastasia Borisevich, plant expert at Plantum, an app that helps identify plants and improves plant care. The thing is, though, plant care is not foolproof—sometimes you may have the plant in the wrong lighting or may have been watering it too much (are the leaves starting to turn yellow?). That’s when you need to call in a little help from the pros.

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Ahead, read what pant, landscaping, and gardening experts had to say about how to take care of orchids at home.

How do you take care of an indoor orchid?

Wondering how to take care of orchids? The simplest way to take care of orchids indoors, which will suit a variety of climates, is to replicate their natural growing conditions, says Borisevich. “They are tropical plants that thrive in high humidity and filtered light,” she adds. There are a variety of different aspects to caring for an indoor orchid, from the positioning to the temperature and the soil you’re using.

1. What kind of pot should I put my orchid in?

What kind of pot you put your orchid in doesn't matter as much as the amount of drainage you're giving the plant. Any pot you use should have significant drainage holes, says Tammy Sons, CEO and founder of TN Nursery. If it comes in a small basket from the grocery store, it’s fine to keep the orchid in there under most circumstances, adds Eric Preston, certified master gardener and landscaper at TeachMe.To. The most important factor is the drainage, both experts say. You want to make sure water can seep down to the bottom or top of the container to keep the roots from drying out, but you also want to ensure that the orchid doesn’t accumulate too much water. Having puddles of standing water can be detrimental to the orchid, emphasizes Preston.

2. Where is the best place to put an orchid?

You can grow orchids in a greenhouse with heat to create a warm, humid environment, but if you don’t have that, choose somewhere like a bright kitchen window or a window ledge that’s facing east (especially if you are on the East Coast in a region like New England), or a window that’s facing west or south if you live on the west coast of the US, explains Preston. It’s not a good idea to put an orchid near a heater or air conditioner, as it can lower the indoor humidity, Borisevich says. In the winter or times of the year when there is less sunlight in general, to get even more warmth, you can get creative. You might even place your orchid on top of a refrigerator so it can experience some heat coming off the appliance, adds Preston.

"Orchids in the wild grow under the shadows of trees, which means that they aren’t suited for direct light." —Anastasia Borisevich, plant expert at Plantum

3. Do orchids prefer morning or afternoon sun?

“Orchids in the wild grow under the shadows of trees, which means that they aren’t suited for direct light,” says Borisevich. The light should be bright enough for the plants to feel the warmth, but it should be indirect light. That indirect sun is best during the morning because it’s more gentle and less drying than afternoon sunlight, says Sons. Place an orchid in sunlight for at least four to six hours at the beginning part of the day, she advises.

4. What potting mix should I use for orchids?

Soil is not one size fits all: The best soil for plants depends on the plant type. Orchids are very specific in that they do not derive nutrients from soil but instead thrive off living organisms, says Sons. Sphagnum moss is a good type of potting medium that encourages that symbiotic relationship¹ that orchids require, according to Sons. You can also use an orchid-specific potting mix made by most major soil companies to give the orchid a good base. Preston recommends either orchid potting soil, or coconut coir, made from coconut fibers. The key is to select something that is more stony or granular, as that will drain well and won’t absorb too much water, he says.

5. Is orchid fertilizer necessary?

You don’t need orchid fertilizer, but some experts believe it can help jump-start a growth period, particularly when you want the orchid to bloom again. You can cut back on any fertilizer when the orchid is dormant and not blooming though, says Virginia Hayes, professional florist and indoor plant expert at Westerlay Orchids. Your best bet, if you want to boost your orchids with a fertilizer, is to use a urea-free orchid fertilizer, to minimize any damage to the plant, according to Sons. When repotting and encouraging the plants to grow, try MSU orchid fertilizer, an easy, pre-mixed nutrient blend, she adds.

6. What temperature do orchids prefer?

Taking care of most indoor orchids is different from taking care of outdoor orchids that tend to grow naturally in heat and tropical regions. It’s safest to keep orchids at a temperature of about 75° Fahrenheit to keep them comfortable and free from fungal diseases, the experts say. Note that orchids do not respond well to stark changes in temperature, so you shouldn’t place them near or below heating or air conditioning vents or an open door or window, says Hayes. If you leave an orchid out next to cool air to for too, the leaves might turn a dark color and become unhealthy, adds Preston.

7. How do you prune a potted orchid?

The best time to prune a potted orchid is after the blooms fall and the plant stems start changing color, says Sons. “Orchids take a dormant ‘rest’ after blooming, and that's when you can successfully prune them to benefit the plant best,” she explains. When you prune, take a clean pruner and clip away anything that looks dead or yellowing, like leaves or plant “sticks” that no longer have flowers—these are especially present in moth orchids (more on those later), says Preston. If you have a different kind of orchid, like Zygopetalum, you can prune it down one or two nodules (which look like flower buds on a tree almost) so that it can bloom and regenerate, he says.

8. How do you take care of an orchid that’s in bloom and after blooming?

There’s a slight variation in orchid care during a blooming cycle compared to taking care of orchids after blooming. Pay attention specifically to water and lighting. In general, you can water orchids by soaking them in a shallow bowl of water for a couple of hours once a week, says Sons. During a blooming cycle, if the plant tends to get a ton of midday sun and looks dry, you may increase that to twice a week, but you likely won’t need to. It’s most important not to overwater orchids to avoid root rot, so it’s best to stay on the conservative side of watering, according to Sons. Regardless of the blooming cycle and whether or not you have orchid flowers on the plant, make sure there is enough indirect sunlight at the right time of day, says Hayes. This will help the orchid rebloom when necessary.

How big do indoor orchids get?

The size of orchids can depend on which plants you buy, and can also depend on where you keep them. For example, miniature orchids tend to only grow between six and eight inches at full height, explains Sons. Standard and larger varieties, such as the common indoor moth orchid, may grow to between 24 and 30 inches total, she adds. Most indoor orchids won’t grow far beyond two feet in height.

How often do you water orchids?

Watering frequency for orchids can depend on the season and temperature, according to Borisevich. In the summer the soil might tend to get drier, but the orchid will need less water in the winter. Here’s what to keep in mind: Always check the roots. “If they are green and the bark is dark and moist, watering can wait a few more days,” says Hayes. “If the roots look gray and the bark is dry, it’s time to water.”

The climate you live in also matters—in a more humid climate, you might water orchids once or twice a week, but in a drier climate like Preston lives in, in El Cerrito, California, orchids may only need water once every other week in the summer and once a month or so in the winter. Keep in mind that water temperature is also key since orchids thrive in high humidity. That’s why the ice cube trick you may have heard about is a myth. “Doing the ice method prevents the roots from receiving adequate moisture due to the cubes taking longer to melt, and it only wets the top layers of the soil, not the base where the roots are,” says Sons. Not only that, but the water is too cold. Borisevich actually adds humid air by lightly misting the orchid flowers often with boiling or warm water.

Types of orchids

• Moth orchids are probably the most popular type of orchid that you’ll find at a grocery store or farmer’s market. The namesake comes from the shape of the petals, which look like the insect’s wings and bloom in white, purple, pink, or yellow colors. These orchids are simple to grow and can withstand stronger sunlight than some other varieties, says Sons. They thrive in high humidity, but also do just fine with nighttime temperatures that drop to the 60’s, she adds. Moth orchids can be watered about once a week as well.
• Zygopetalum orchids are one type of orchid that blooms from late fall to early spring and are both highly fragrant and one of the easiest indoor orchids to care for, says Sons. They tend to be smaller, about one or one and a half feet in height, and have purple, mauve, or green multicolored flowers. Make sure these orchids get full sunlight for at least four to six hours per day. They’re relatively low maintenance and should do well with watering about once a week in most climates, adds Sons.
• Cattleya orchids, or corsage orchids, are not quite as common but tend to bloom in the late winter and early spring, so they’re great indoor orchids, according to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. They bloom in vibrant colors like yellow, orange, red, and pink. Corsage orchids also require humid temperatures but plenty of shade and not much direct sunlight; the best plan is to water them weekly.

How do you repot an orchid?

Some small orchids might thrive in their original containers, as long as there is enough drainage, but if your orchid continues to grow beyond the small pot or basket, it could be worth repotting the orchid to help it thrive. You should only transplant the orchid when it is in a dormant or “rest” cycle after it’s done blooming, says Sons, so as not to interrupt the flowering process.

1. What is the best potting soil for orchids?

It’s likely that your orchid already came with potting soil or with some type of moss. When repotting, try to keep the environment as similar to the original as possible. A good idea is using an orchid potting mix, says Sons. If you’re a more advanced gardener and want to mix your own, you can, but an orchid-specific potting soil is the easiest for newer plant parents.

2. Should orchid roots be exposed?

In general, the orchid roots should not be exposed. If the roots start coming through the pot, Preston suggests trimming the roots back with a clean pruner or shears. You should trim them any time they’re exposed or coming out of the pot, he says. If this is a persistent problem, there’s a chance you may need to repot the orchid to a slightly larger pot.

3. Do you soak orchid mix before repotting?

It’s not actually necessary to soak orchid the mix itself before repotting the plant. “Orchids are notorious for getting root rot and fungus because the soil they are potted in cannot aerate,” says Sons. You can still soak the pot and outermost parts of the soil in a couple of inches of water by putting the orchid in its container and in a bowl of water, especially in hot weather, she adds. But you don’t need to soak the soil the entire way through.

How to revive a sick orchid

Your orchid may be low-maintenance and thrive without much extra care, but it might not always be in tip-top shape due to a couple of factors, between climate, temperature, and watering. It can be a little bit confusing to “diagnose” the cause of the sick orchid, but you can work through a process of elimination. Often, the orchid has either too much water (remember, the orchid should never have standing water in the pot) or too cold water that is disrupting the plant’s growth because the roots can’t absorb it, says Preston. Here are some other plant care tips to revive a sick orchid.

1. What does a sick orchid look like?

Give your plant a quick check-up. “Start by examining the orchid's leaves, roots, and general appearance as the first step in determining its overall health,” says Hayes. A sick orchid might have dry, yellowing leaves if it’s dehydrated or has gotten too much sun. If leaves and roots are mushy and yellowish, you might be overwatering the orchid, adds Hayes. Orchids require a delicate balance of watering and indirect sunlight to thrive.

2. How do I fix yellow leaves on my orchid?

You should be able to tell if the plant and its roots are dry and brittle, with yellowing leaves–this might require soaking the orchid in the pot in water for a couple of hours to revive it, advises Hayes. More often than not though, yellow leaves are a sign of overwatering or root rot, according to Hayes. The best solution for overwatering is to check on the drainage level—if the pot isn’t giving the orchid enough drainage, try repotting it. Trim the stem or flowering sticks so that it can start blooming again and add some orchid fertilizer to help the process along, she suggests.

3. What to do when petals fall off orchid

Petals falling off of an orchid is a sign that it’s not being properly cared for, says Hayes—it could be from overwatering, wrong lighting, or even a pest issue. Doing a short check-up can help determine the cause of the problem and help you take care of the orchid after the flowers fall off. If the soil and bark are very dry, the plant likely needs more water to nourish the orchid flowers. If the roots and soil are mushy, it’s a good idea to repot the plant so it has better drainage, says Hayes.

4. Why are buds dropping off my orchid?

Buds dropping off the orchid can be a sign of a similar issue to the petals falling off. Sometimes, this is the natural end of a blooming cycle and the plant is ready to be dormant for a while (you can trim the stems and sticks once it’s been about six months to encourage it to rebloom). If it seems like the plant just bloomed and the buds are falling off, this could signify a problem. Most likely, the orchid is overwatered, says Preston.

5. How do I get rid of bugs on my orchid?

Orchids are prone to certain indoor insects, including scales, mealybugs, and spider mites, especially if the orchid has been in a particularly dry area, explains Hayes. You can get rid of bugs easily, though. The simplest way to do so with common household items is to use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to manually remove any pests, she says. A neem oil or other type of horticultural oil can help keep insects and therefore plant diseases at bay. Hayes recommends spritzing the oil mixed with a little bit of water directly on the plant where bugs seem to be present. Then, move the plant to where it can be in more humid air and therefore is safer from bugs.

How often do orchids bloom?

Orchids tend to bloom once or twice a year, says Hayes, as long as they’re cared for correctly. Moth orchids in particular are simple to grow and keep, and their blooms could last upwards of two months when they bloom about twice a year, often in the winter. Corsage orchids tend to bloom in the late winter and early spring, and the blooms last for a slightly shorter time period, for a month or so. Zygopetalum orchids bloom twice a year, in the fall and early spring, and the blooms can last for four to eight weeks.

How do I get my orchid to flower again?

Exposing your orchid to bright, but not direct sunlight (the morning sun is ideal) usually can give the orchid a kickstart into re-blooming. You can try some other tricks, according to Hayes. First, cut back the stem or sticks to just above the node below the last flower, for zygopetalum orchids. Other orchids like moth orchids may benefit from you cutting the stems closer to the plant. “This way the plant will need less energy to grow,” says Hayes.

Watering just the right amount is also key. If the orchid needs revival, pour some water onto the bark and let it soak up however much water it needs for about 20 minutes. If it seems very dry, let it soak for a little bit longer, closer to an hour, before draining and pouring the water out of the container, suggests Hayes. Be careful that there’s not too much water or overgrown roots–that may be grounds for repotting with new soil and fertilizer. With orchids, patience is a virtue. “Your orchid will go through a dormant phase after one to three months of blooming,” says Hayes. “Give it attention and time while it rests for the next blooming cycle.” Make sure to do regular check-ins and not forget about the plant altogether when it’s dormant.

How long do orchids live?

Most orchids bloom about twice a year for a month or two at a time. And with proper care, orchids may live for over a decade, even up to 15 years, Hayes says. Cymbidium orchids, which are an indoor and outdoor variety, tend to live the longest, up to 20 years. Moth orchids also have a long lifespan and tend to be easier to find and take care of, according to gardening experts. It is customary in some cultures for some orchids to be passed down through generations when they are able to thrive, adds Borisevich.

Why do people love orchids so much?

Who doesn’t love a relatively low-maintenance houseplant? Orchids, and moth orchids in particular, are both pretty and have an interesting variety of colors, Borisevich says. They’re known for calm, peaceful energy, and some cultures associate orchids with love and good energy for relationships, she adds. Orchids are also a popular plant for pet parents. “Unlike many common houseplants, moth orchids are non-toxic to cats and dogs,” Borisevich says. Plus, if you have allergies, you’re set with orchids: They don’t have much pollen, and many of the varieties, including moth orchids, have no scent, she adds.

Between the simple beauty, ease of care, pet-friendly nature, and good vibes (especially for your relationships), indoor orchids are a popular choice for houseplants, and justifiably so, says Borisevich. Not to mention, if you purchase an orchid, you’re getting plenty of bang—or, should we say blooms—for your buck. And, once you get the hang of it, learning how to take care of orchids is easier than it looks. There’s no guarantee that you’ll have an orchid for decades, but to get a solid couple of years out of one plant is not only a worthy investment but a lovely item to add to your home.