How to care for orchids
Get to know our March Houseplant of the month – the ornate orchid!
Orchids are a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a vibrant, long lasting flowering houseplant that effortlessly elevates any space. While they have a few specific care needs, they generally low maintenance, making them an easy way to brighten up your office, bedroom, or any corner of your home.
They also make wonderful gifts for friends and family – especially for Mother’s Day! That’s why we’ve made orchids our houseplant of the month for March. Their timeless beauty and charm make them the perfect thoughtful present – something that can be cherished for years to come.
Find out exactly what you need to do to correctly care for your orchid plant, from how often to water, to feeding and repotting.
Products you'll need
How to look after orchids
Light: A space with bright, filtered light is best for your orchid plant. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the foliage.
Water: Most orchids are potted in bark or moss instead of soil, so they have slightly different watering needs than the average houseplant. Water weekly or whenever the bark or moss is dry, using rainwater or filtered water if possible. You can determine the dryness of your plant by lifting the pot to feel how heavy it is. The lighter it is, the more water it needs. You'll get a feel for the weight difference between when it’s been watered and when it needs watering the more you do it.
Orchids should never be left to sit in water as the roots can rot. Ensure any excess water drains away by making sure your pot has plenty of drainage holes. Be wary of overwatering as this is the most common way owners kill their orchids!
Humidity: Orchids love humid environments. Mist the roots and foliage, making sure to avoid the flowers. Avoid misting your orchid if it’s been recently watered.
Feeding: Feed regularly with orchid liquid fertiliser. This helps your orchid flower for longer. Stop feeding in midwinter to give it a break.
Repotting: Repot your orchid plant every 2 years into a slightly larger pot if necessary, using a high-quality bark-based orchid potting mix.
Temperature: Choose a warm or cool-growing orchid plant, depending on the temperature of your chosen space. Each orchid will require a different minimum temperature to keep it happy, so research what your variety prefers before you buy.
Support: The heavy flowering stems of orchids can be supported with plant support sticks to keep them from breaking or drooping.
When do orchids flower?
Your orchid will be flowering when you buy it. You can usually expect the growth of new leaves during the summer months. New flower buds will then begin to appear in late autumn and bloom shortly after.
How often do Orchids flower?
Most orchid varieties flower once a year, but if cared for properly they can bloom more often. If you’re wondering how long orchids flower for, in general you can expect them to remain in bloom for 6-10 weeks.
What to do with Orchids after flowering?
If your orchid flowers start to fall off, there’s no need to worry or rush out to buy a new plant! It’s completely normal for orchid flowers to drop after their blooming period has ended. In fact, with the right care, you can encourage your orchid to flower again.
Sometimes, all you need to do is lower the heat by 5°C or move your orchid into another room to encourage it to flower again. Other times, you’ll need to prune your plant.
To do this, trim away dead leaves and cut off parts of the stems that have gone brown or yellow using a pair of sharp secateurs. Cut diagonally so a new shoot can emerge.
Popular orchid varieties
Miltonia
The Miltonia orchid is often known as a pansy orchid due to the shape and pattern of its flowers. This variety can bloom twice a year, at different times depending on the species. While they’re best kept in a bright spot, they do need some cooler periods (usually at nighttime) so they can bloom. Their flowers have a wonderful floral scent.
Cambria
With special, colourful flowers on top of graceful green stems, the low maintenance, beginner-friendly Cambria blooms to form round to star-shape flowers that can grow as large as 10cm! These flowers are beautifully marked with a wide variety of colours. If you remove the flower stalk completely after flowering, the Cambria will develop new shoots and flower again after a few months.
Paphiopedilum
The Paphiopedilum is a type of terrestrial orchid knows for its pouch-shaped petals that resemble a dainty slipper, which is why they're more commonly known as the slipper orchid! Native to the floors of the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, it may surprise you that Paphiopedilums are relatively easy to grow indoors. They thrive in high humidity, medium indirect light, and moist soil.
Phalaenopsis
This is our most popular and long-lasting orchid variety. Their various-coloured blooms will flower for up to 3 months and continue blooming frequently throughout the year if cared for properly – luckily, they’re low maintenance and easy to care for! They thrive at room temperatures so are ideal for our centrally heated rooms.
Dendrobium
The Dendrobium orchid is one of the most diverse, beautiful, and rewarding orchids you can grow. It can tolerate a bit more light compared to other varieties available and so can withstand direct sunlight in the morning. You only need to water it once a week and its flowers will grow again naturally between February and June. Give it a feed during these months for longer lasting flowers.