How to Grow Orchid
Orchid At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Houseplant
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Cold Hardiness
Survives to 15°C
Plant Family
Orchidaceae
Growing Season
Year Round
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
The easiest start is a moth orchid in flower from a garden centre or grocery store. Keep it in its clear pot of bark, set it in bright light out of direct midday sun, and enjoy the flowers, which can last 2 to 3 months. Move it into fresh bark after it finishes flowering.
The moth orchid is far easier than its reputation once you know one thing: in the wild it grows on tree bark, not in soil. That is why it lives in chunky bark, needs its roots to dry out a little between waterings, and dies fastest from too much water. Treated this way, one plant can flower every year for many years.
When To Start
Orchid grows all year in the right spot, so there is no window to wait for.
We do not have exact sowing dates for this one yet.
When should you plant Orchid?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Orchid Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
Your Orchid Calendar
Set your location to turn these into exact dates and reminders.
Settle your orchid in bright light, out of direct sun
About 0 days after you plant it
See if your orchid needs fresh bark this year
About 365 days after you plant it· every year· optional
Look for baby plants on your orchid's flower stem
About 120 days after you plant it· every year· optional
Check the soil of your orchid: water when the top 3 cm feel dry.
About 7 days after you plant it
How is your orchid doing? Water when the bark feels dry, and never let the pot sit in water.
About 30 days after you plant it
Your orchid has had time to settle. Keep it in bright light out of direct sun.
About 90 days after you plant it
The Journey Ahead
Orchid's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Give your orchid bright light without hot direct sun, like an east-facing window.
- 2Grow it in chunky orchid bark, never in regular potting soil, so air can reach the roots.
- 3Water about once a week by soaking the pot in the sink for 10 minutes, then let it drain completely, and never leave it sitting in water.
- 4Feed with very weak compost tea about once a month while it is growing new leaves.
- 5Silvery roots mean it is time to water, while green roots mean it has enough.
- 6Wipe off mealybugs (small white fluffy bugs) with a damp cotton swab, and in fall give it a few weeks of slightly cooler nights, never below 15°C (59°F), to help it grow a new flower stem.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
60 cm
Mature Height
30 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
How to Harvest
- 1When the last flower drops, cut the flower stem just above the second node (a small bump on the stem) below the lowest flower, or cut it off at the base if it turns brown.
- 2Every 1 to 2 years, after flowering, move the plant into fresh bark, since old bark breaks down and holds too much water.
- 3While repotting, trim off any roots that are brown and mushy or flat and papery.
- 4Wipe dust off the leaves now and then with a damp cloth so they get plenty of light.
- 5Pot up any baby plants that form on the flower stem once their roots are about 5 cm long.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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