How To Grow Indoor Orchids: A Beginners Guide
Orchids are often considered one of the best house plants for their beauty. They are very diverse as they have over 45 classifications that bloom differently. Moth (Phalaenopsis) and Cattleya are among the most popular variations because of how appealing they look, and they are actually among the most beginner-friendly plants.
If you’re a newbie at indoor gardening, orchids are a great start because they are low-maintenance indoor plants. Read on for everything you need to know about growing them:
How to Grow Your Orchids
Though different classifications have their own preferences, the general necessities of any orchid are high humidity and enough airflow. The easiest way to start is to buy a young orchid from the store and then make sure to free up its roots so it can have air. You could alternatively start with seedlings, but this will take considerably more time and effort.
If you’re going for a moth orchid, keep them in a warm environment (70 to 80° F) with low light. You can place some shallow containers filled with water around the orchid to promote its growth. Keep drying and watering them in regular intervals. If you can keep this ideal condition for around two months, it should bloom as one of the larger flowers in the species.
For cattleya, keep them in medium to bright lighting conditions. The temperature should be around 50 to 70° F, and you should water them once a week. You can make it every other week if you find they are soaking up too much water.
How to Keep Them Alive
Seasons affect how much your orchids flourish, too.
In the summer, make sure your plants don’t get thirsty. You will need to water them constantly and generously. Have a weekly session where you completely soak your orchids and just make sure there is enough room in their pots to adequately dry out afterward.
For the winter season, focus on keeping the environment warm. Dial back your watering process to just a light mist every few weeks, avoid fertilizing, and only do a more intensive soak once a month.
The spring is a good time for your orchids to bloom, so make sure you provide fertilizer weekly once they start growing and give them a good light mist every day.
Keep in mind that repotting or transplanting your orchid is not advisable. Only attempt to do so if your plant is no longer blooming. If it has developed a lot of moss, clean those off along with any unhealthy roots before moving it. In your new pot, make sure to create a soil bed that doesn’t weigh the orchid down since its roots still need room to grow.
Change up the potting mix for your orchids every year so that they get their nutrients. Old soil can lead to the development of fungus and other diseases because it can no longer properly disperse water.
Final Thoughts
Orchids are great because they bloom with such beautiful colors and shapes, and they are one of few houseplants safe for cats and dogs. They don’t take a green thumb to grow, either. As long as you follow the guidelines above, your orchids will thrive.
Houseplant Advisor is a leading resource for plant people and aspiring home gardeners alike. If you want accessible articles and easy-to-understand guides, check out our content about the best house plants for different parts of your house.
