Orchid care sheet
Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) · Moderate care · Pet-safe
Elegant arching blooms that last 2 to 3 months. Its roots grow in bark, not soil.
| Light | Bright, indirect light. An east window is ideal. |
|---|---|
| Water | About once a week: soak the bark, then drain completely. |
| Potting mix | Orchid bark or sphagnum moss. Never regular potting soil. |
| Temperature | 65°F to 80°F by day, a little cooler at night. |
| Humidity | 40% to 60%. |
| Fertilizer | Orchid fertilizer at quarter to half strength, every 2 weeks while growing. |
| Repotting | Every 1 to 2 years, after flowering. |
| Pets | Non-toxic to cats and dogs. |
Where to water it
Set the pot in a bowl of room-temperature water for 10 to 15 minutes so the bark soaks up water, then let it drain fully. Keep water out of the crown where the leaves meet.
When: When the bark feels dry and the roots turn silvery green.
Where to put it
An east window is ideal. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun.
Avoid these mistakes
- Ice cubes, which shock the roots
- Water left sitting in the crown
- Repotting into regular potting soil
If something looks wrong
- Yellow leaves: one old bottom leaf yellowing is normal. Several, or soft yellow leaves, mean overwatering or root rot.
- Wrinkled, limp leaves: the roots can't take up water, either because they're dry or because they've rotted. Check the roots.
- Buds dropping: a move, a draft, low humidity or ripening fruit nearby.
- Brown or black spots on leaves: sunburn, or a fungal or bacterial infection from water sitting on the leaves.
- Sticky leaves or white fluff: scale or mealybugs. Wipe with rubbing alcohol.
My Orchid care log
Last wateredNot logged yet
Next wateringEvery 8 days
Last fedNot logged yet
| Date | Watered | Fed | Notes | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing logged yet. Tap “Watered today” when you water. | ||||
Your log is saved in this browser on this device. Bookmark this page to come back to it.