Phalaenopsis Orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.) is a houseplant worth getting to know properly, and this guide covers exactly how to keep it healthy: light, water, soil, humidity, temperature, feeding, repotting, propagation and the problems that show up when something is off. The care numbers below come from the plant data used for this guide.
Phalaenopsis Orchid is an epiphyte that grows on tree bark in the wild, with an arching flower spike that can carry blooms for months, with broad, fleshy, arching leaves that grow in a flat rosette. The moth orchid - the most widely grown orchid in the world, with long-lasting, butterfly-like flowers on an arching spike, and silvery-green air roots that are meant to be seen, not buried. Once you understand what it wants - and, just as importantly, what it does not want - it is a straightforward plant to keep looking good for years.
Phalaenopsis Orchid at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Phalaenopsis spp. |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | weekly; keep soil lightly moist |
| Humidity | moderate to high |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) |
| Repotting | every 1–2 years |
| Pet safety | non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Give your phalaenopsis orchid bright indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal - gentle morning sun and bright light for the rest of the day. A south- or west-facing window works if the plant sits back from the glass or behind a sheer curtain, because direct midday sun scorches the leaves. Too little light is the most common reason an orchid refuses to bloom: the plant survives, but no flower spike appears. Our grow-light calculator can work out how many hours your plant needs.
Watering
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. The right way to water an orchid in bark is to soak the bark thoroughly - run water through the pot for a minute or let it stand in water for ten minutes - then let it drain completely. Never let the plant sit in standing water, and keep water out of the crown of the plant, where it can cause rot. A common myth suggests watering orchids with ice cubes; it is not a good method, because the cold shocks the roots and the small amount of water does not wet the bark evenly. Water thoroughly with room-temperature water instead, and let the bark dry between waterings. Our watering calculator can help you work out a starting routine for your pot size.
Humidity and temperature
Phalaenopsis Orchid prefers moderate to high humidity and temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Most homes sit within that temperature range for most of the year, so temperature is rarely a problem indoors - the things to watch are cold draughts in winter, radiators that dry the air, and cold windows that chill the leaves overnight. Keep the plant away from all three. In a heated home in winter the air can be much drier than this plant likes, and the first sign is usually brown, crispy leaf edges or tips. A pebble tray under the pot, grouping plants together, or a small humidifier all raise the humidity around the plant. Misting does very little - the water evaporates in minutes. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Soil and potting
Use coarse bark chips (never ordinary potting soil), in a clear pot with drainage and air slots. Orchids are epiphytes in the wild - they grow on trees, not in soil - so ordinary potting soil suffocates the roots and causes rot within weeks. Bark chips let air reach the roots and drain freely, which is exactly what an orchid needs. Repot in fresh bark when the old bark breaks down and turns soft and spongy, usually every year or two. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the parts for a homemade mix for your pot size.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if the bark has broken down into soft, spongy pieces or the roots are crowding out of the pot. Orchids like a snug pot, so move up only one size and use fresh bark - old, broken-down bark holds too much water and suffocates the roots. Spring, just after flowering, is the best time. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size and how much fresh bark you will need.
Feeding
Feed weakly and regularly during the growing season, in spring and summer, with a balanced liquid fertiliser made for orchids or a standard houseplant fertiliser at quarter to half strength, and do not feed in autumn and winter when the plant is resting. Orchids are light feeders - too much fertiliser burns the roots. Flush the bark with plain water once a month to wash out salts.
Propagation
Phalaenopsis Orchid is propagated by keikis and division. Phalaenopsis sometimes grows a keiki - a baby plant - on its flower spike. Wait until the keiki has roots a few centimetres long, then cut it off with a clean blade and pot it in bark. Mature plants can also be divided when repotting, though keikis are the usual route.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | overwatering | Let the soil dry more between waterings and check that the pot drains freely. Remove the yellow leaf once it is fully yellow - one old lower leaf yellowing is normal ageing, several at once points to watering. |
| Brown leaf tips | low humidity | Raise the humidity and flush the soil or bark with plain water to wash out fertiliser salts. Damaged tips will not heal, but new growth should come out clean. |
| No blooms | too little light or plant resting | Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering. |
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: overwatering. Let the soil dry more between waterings and check that the pot drains freely. Remove the yellow leaf once it is fully yellow - one old lower leaf yellowing is normal ageing, several at once points to watering.
Brown leaf tips
Likely cause: low humidity. Raise the humidity and flush the soil or bark with plain water to wash out fertiliser salts. Damaged tips will not heal, but new growth should come out clean.
No blooms
Likely cause: too little light or plant resting. Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water phalaenopsis orchid?
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Always check the soil with a finger first rather than watering on a fixed day, because the interval changes with the season and pot size. Water thoroughly when it is time and let the excess drain away completely.
How much light does phalaenopsis orchid need?
It needs bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window usually suits it well. Too little light gives weak, stretched growth, while harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves.
Is phalaenopsis orchid safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, phalaenopsis orchid is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a good choice for homes with pets. It is still best not to let pets chew it, as any plant material can upset a stomach.
When should I repot phalaenopsis orchid?
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if roots are circling out of the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size, use fresh mix, and repot in spring.
Why is my phalaenopsis orchid not flowering?
A healthy plant flowers once or twice a year, with a spike of moth-like blooms that lasts two to three months. After the flowers fade, cut the spike back to just above a node and it may branch and rebloom. The most common reason for no flowers is too little light - move the plant to a brighter spot and give it time.
Related guides
Browse the full houseplants hub for more species care guides, and try the tools hub for calculators that help with watering, light and repotting.