The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are popular houseplants that maintain attractive flowers for months.
According to Overgaag, all orchids truly need is consistency.
With the right mix of water and light, he assures us they can flourish.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The plant may seem like it is not growing during this time.
This may be when it drops its flowers, and it may even involve some of the leaves dying.
You will discover that orchids need less water at this time.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
you might also go easier on fertilizer, and dormant orchids can get by with less light.
Orchids need this healthy period of rest.
Silver, dry roots are ready for more water, while green roots are still moist.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
Do not water already-green roots to preventroot rot.
Youll see theyre green again.
Let the water fill your container to the halfway mark.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Let your orchid soak for at least twenty minutes.
The orchid can soak for one to two hours if it is very dry, Overgaag says.
Check with your nursery, read the tag, or Google.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
For the most part, orchids like a lot of indirect sunlight.
Place your orchid near a bright window.
Where you place your plant will be the difference maker, says Overgaag.
The Spruce / LetÃcia Almeida
Do not fertilizer year-round.
Fertilize during the active growth period, then reduce fertilization during the resting period, he says.
Prune Regularly
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Remove dead flowers or leaves.
Stanislav Sablin/Getty Images
If the debris does not fall right off,remove with clean prunersor scissors.
There are many natural options, such as organic insecticidal soaps, says Overgaag.
Just avoid placing them directly below vents.
Orchids are safe houseplant options for cats.Getty Images/Carlina Teteris
This method is not ideal.
Ice cubes dont water and drain properly, Overgaag says.
Overgaag tells us these are all signs to repot.
The Spruce / Nicole & Valerie de León
New potting soil with nutrients will encourage further growth, he says.
Orchids are not particularly difficult to keep alive, but they have different care requirements than most common houseplants.
For this reason, many people are unfamiliar with orchid care.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
Place your cut orchids in a vase, but only put about 1/4 cup of water in the vase.
In this instance, more water is not better.
Additional water will cause the flower stem to rot faster.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
Don’t place cut orchid flowers in direct light, and keep them in humid areas of the home.
With proper care, orchids may live up to 20 years indoors.
