Orchids are one of the most captivating and diverse groups of flowering plants. They’re perfect for adding some elegance and beauty to your home.
Growing orchids indoors might seem challenging but with a bit of the right know-how anyone can do it. So if you’re on the fence or don’t have the confidence to start this guide is for you.
These 20 tips will help you on your orchid-growing journey and to get you growing a beautiful orchid indoors.
Understanding Your Orchid’s Needs
1. Choose the Right Orchid
Not all orchids are created equal. Some are better suited for indoor growth than others.
Phalaenopsis, commonly known as moth orchids, are among the easiest to grow indoors. They’re forgiving and bloom multiple times a year.
Other good choices include Cattleya, Dendrobium and Paphiopedilum. Each variety has specific care requirements so do your research before selecting one.
2. Mimic Their Natural Habitat
Orchids come from fairly diverse environments. Most indoor varieties are epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants in the wild. Copying their natural conditions is a big part of getting them to grow successfully.
- Air Circulation: Orchids thrive with good airflow around their roots and leaves. Use fans so they have constant air movement.
- Humidity Levels: Maintain humidity levels around 50-70%. You can use a humidity tray or room humidifier to help.
- Indirect Sunlight: Place orchids in bright but indirect sunlight to avoid leaf burn. Use sheer curtains to diffuse direct sunlight.
Light Requirements
3. Find the Right Spot
Orchids do best in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves though.
An east or west-facing window is ideal. North-facing windows usually don’t provide enough light while south-facing windows might offer too much direct light. Rotate your orchid occasionally to so they get even light distribution on all sides.
4. Supplement with Artificial Light
If natural light is limited you can use fluorescent or LED grow lights. They work as a good alternative.
Position them about 6-12 inches above the plant. Use a timer to provide about 12-14 hours of light daily.
This will mimic the natural daylight hours and encourage healthy growth.
Watering
5. Watering Schedule
Overwatering is a common mistake. You should be watering orchids every 7-10 days and allowing the potting medium to dry out between watering.
The frequency depends on the type of orchid, the potting medium and the environment. Always check the medium’s moisture level before watering.
6. Use Room Temperature Water
Cold water can shock the roots. Use tepid or room temperature water to keep your orchids happy. Rainwater or distilled water is ideal since tap water can contain minerals and chemicals that are harmful to orchids.
7. Proper Drainage is Crucial
Orchids dislike sitting in water. So your pots must have good drainage. You can add pebbles at the bottom to improve airflow and use pots with drainage holes and place them on a tray to catch excess water. Don’t forget to empty the tray after watering to prevent root rot!
Feeding and Fertilizing
8. Fertilize Regularly
Use a balanced, water soluble orchid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce to fertilizing monthly in fall and winter. Fertilize “weekly, weakly” by diluting the fertilizer to half or quarter strength for regular feeding.
9. Dilute the Fertilizer
Orchids prefer weaker solutions. So dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength.
Over-fertilizing can burn the roots and damage the plant. Flushing the potting medium with clear water every few weeks helps remove any built-up salts.
Potting and Repotting
10. Choose the Right Potting Medium
Orchids don’t grow in regular soil. Instead use a special orchid mix containing bark, perlite and sphagnum moss.
Each type of orchid may prefer a different medium so customize based on your plant’s needs. For example, Phalaenopsis prefer bark while Paphiopedilum do well in a mix with more moisture retentive materials.
11. Repot Every 1-2 Years
Repotting helps refresh the growing medium and promotes healthy roots. It’s best to do it after blooming.
Signs that your orchid needs repotting include roots growing out of the pot, the medium breaking down or the plant becoming top-heavy. Gently remove the old medium from the roots and trim any dead or rotting roots before repotting.
Temperature and Humidity
12. Maintain Optimal Temperature
Orchids prefer daytime temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and nighttime temperatures of 55-65°F (13-18°C). Avoid placing orchids near drafts, heaters or air conditioners as sudden temperature changes can stress the plant.
13. Increase Humidity Levels
It can help to increase humidity levels for your orchid. So place a humidity tray or use a room humidifier. Grouping plants together also helps maintain humidity. Misting the leaves can provide additional humidity but avoid misting the flowers to prevent spotting.
Pest Control
14. Watch for Pests
Common pests include aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. Inspect your plants regularly as early detection is key to preventing infestations. Look for signs like sticky residue, webbing or discolored spots on the leaves.
15. Natural Pest Remedies
Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Wipe leaves with a mixture of water and mild dish soap. Isolate infested plants to prevent the spread of pests to other orchids. Repeat treatments as necessary and monitor the plants closely.
Pruning and Maintenance
16. Prune Dead or Damaged Parts
Remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers. This encourages new growth and keeps the plant healthy.
Use sterilized scissors or pruning shears to prevent the spread of disease. Cutting back flower spikes after blooming can also promote reblooming.
17. Support Flower Spikes
Use stakes to support flower spikes. This prevents them from breaking under the weight of blooms. Gently tie the spikes to the stakes with soft plant ties or clips allowing room for the spikes to grow.
Tips for Blooming
18. Encourage Reblooming
After the first bloom cut the spike just above a node to encourage new blooms. Orchids often rebloom from these nodes. Providing a cooler nighttime temperature for a few weeks can also trigger reblooming.
19. Provide a Rest Period
Orchids need a rest period to rebloom. Reduce watering and feeding after blooming until new growth appears. This rest period mimics their natural growth cycle and prepares them for the next blooming phase.
Advanced Tips
20. Experiment with Mounting
Mounting orchids on wood or cork can mimic their natural habitat. It requires more humidity and regular watering but can be rewarding for those who are more advanced or experienced with growing orchids. This method allows roots to breathe more freely and can result in healthier plants. Use sphagnum moss around the roots to retain moisture.
Troubleshooting Guide
- Yellow Leaves: Often a sign of overwatering. Allow the medium to dry out completely before watering again.
- Leaf Spots: Could indicate a fungal or bacterial infection. Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation.
- No Flowers: Ensure the orchid is getting enough light and there’s a temperature drop at night.
Final Thoughts
Orchids might have a reputation for being fussy but with the right care they can be surprisingly resilient. These tips should help you to get thriving orchids indoors.
