orchid

How to care for orchids?

Botanical name
Phalaenopsis
Family
Orchidaceae

Orchids are kept in a bright spot out of direct sun. They are watered when the top third of the potting mix has dried out. They are repotted every two years.

Orchids are perennial plants.

orchid
Photo: Javier martin · CC BY-SA 3.0

Orchids through the year

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Flowering
15913172125293337414549
  • flowering

In short

Repotting
every two years
Flowering
from January to April
weeks 1 to 14

Growing conditions

🪨
Soil
light
💡
Light
a bright spot out of direct sun
💧
Watering
when the top third of the potting mix has dried out
🌫️
Air humidity
high
🧣
Overwintering
must come indoors
📏
Height
45 to 60 cm

Pests and diseases

Listed here is every problem for which the sources name this plant as a host. The problems are not listed in order of how common they are.

Fungus gnats

pest
Signs
Small dark gnats run over the surface of the compost or fly just above it. The larvae, with a shiny black head, live in the compost. At first the plant only loses its healthy look.
Prevention
The trouble is nearly always compost that is too wet and rich in peat: let the top layer dry out between waterings. A layer of sand or fine gravel on top of the pot takes the gnats' place for their eggs away.

Spider mites

pest
Signs
Small pale dots show over the upper side of the leaf, with a generally faded look. In a heavy attack the leaf browns or yellows and the plant dies. When it gets worse, a fine web is visible between the leaves.
Prevention
Most at risk are the plants that stand in the dry air of a room all year. Mist regularly and raise the air humidity to lessen the trouble. Keep new plants apart from the others for a few weeks.

Keep track of your plants with Tendask

Log the task and set a reminder for the next one. Every plant keeps its own history, so there is nothing to guess at.

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Sources about the plant: Clemson Cooperative Extension, GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, Royal Horticultural Society, Wikidata. Checked between 14 and 18 August 2026. The problem descriptions also draw on: EPPO Global Database.