Orchid Care

Explore orchid care tips and tricks from the world's most trusted authority on orchids.

Orchid Care and Culture

Orchid care, also known as orchid culture, is a balance of water, fertilizer, light, temperature, air movement, and humidity. Once you master these few basics, growing orchids becomes easy.

LightInvalid dateAppropriate lighting is critical for orchids to survive and bloom. Learn about the variety of light conditions.Learn about lighting for your orchids

WaterInvalid dateImproper watering is the number one reason orchids fail.Learn how to water your orchids correctly

Air MovementInvalid dateGood air circulation helps fend off many orchid problems.Learn how to provide good air circulation for your orchids

HumidityInvalid dateMost orchids are native to the subtropics where humidity is high.Learn more about giving your orchids the right amount of humidity

TemperatureInvalid dateOrchids are a lot like people. They don't want to be too hot or too cold.Learn more about the temperature needs of your orchid

FertilizerInvalid dateProper fertilizing will help your orchid develop a strong root system, healthy foliage and gorgeous flowers.Learn how and when to fertilize your orchids

Explore easy-to-use orchid care and culture guides

Seasonal Orchid Care and Climate

Seasonal Orchid Care ChecklistsInvalid datePlant growth and flowering is tuned to the changing seasons. That's why we provide you with easy to follow seasonal orchid care checklists. The checklists cover January through December.See the Seasonal Care Checklists
Discover Seasonal Orchid Care WebinarsInvalid dateWe've got some great webinars that cover seasonal orchid care.Watch Seasonal Orchid Care Webinars
This month's Orchid Care ChecklistInvalid dateEach issue of Orchids Magazine covers the monthly orchid care checklist. Written by Tom Mirenda, orchid curator at the Smithsonian Institution. If you are an AOS member you can view or download the latest issue now.See the latest orchid care checklist

Explore Orchids and Their Care (A-Z)

Have you ever wondered if you could grow a Vanda in your home? Discover information about dozens of different orchid genera here.

Cattleya

Dendrobium

Phalaenopsis

Vanda

Cymbidium

Explore These and Many More Orchids by Alliance

Troubleshooting Orchid Problems

Looking for information on how to get your orchid to rebloom or why the leaves are wrinkled?
Common orchid problems are discussed here with simple steps that can be taken to solve the problem.

Leaf ProblemsJune 2024Are your orchid leaves wrinkled? Do they have black spots? Are leaves falling off or becoming leathery?Learn more about orchid leaf problems and fixes

Bloom ProblemsJune 2024Wondering why your orchid won't rebloom? If you want your orchid to flower again, you're in the right place.Learn more about getting orchids to bloom and rebloom

Growing ProblemsJune 2024Are you experiencing other challenges growing your orchids? We've got answers.Learn more about other orchid growing problems

TROUBLESHOOT COMMON ORCHID PROBLEMS

Orchid Pests and Diseases

Learn to identify orchid pests and diseases with this easy troubleshooting guide. We also give you effective solutions to rid your orchids of these pests.

Aphids

Slugs and Snails

Caterpillars

Whiteflies

Mites

See the Most Common Orchid Pests and Diseases

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I cut the spike?Of all of the more commonly available orchids, only Phalaenopsis (the moth orchid) will rebloom from its old spike. Phalaenopsis will generally re-bloom given a little extra care.Read more

How do I water my orchid?Avoid overwatering which leads to the demise of many more orchids than underwatering. Constant wetness will cause the roots to rot, which leaves the plant without a means...Read more

How do I feed my orchid?Orchids need to be fed regularly. Growers suggest using a "balanced" fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all "necessary trace elements."Read more

When should I repot?Orchid plants need repotting for one or a combination of two main factors: Potting mix breaks down, often evidenced by dead roots, or the plant outgrows the container.Read more

What is the best potting media?A fresh, fast-draining, but water-retentive medium is essential to the healthy root system necessary for good growth.Read more

Where in the house can I grow my orchid?South and east-facing windows work best for orchids. West-facing windows can be too hot in the afternoon and north-facing ones are usually too dark.Read more

Why won't my orchid re-bloom?Insufficient light is the most common cause of failure to re-bloom your orchid. Leaf color indicates if the amount of light is adequate.Read more

What's growing on the flower stem?A plantlet (called a keiki (kay-kee), the Hawaiian word for baby) will sometimes grow on a flower spike (called an "inflorescence").Read more

What is the best orchid for growing in the home?One of the most widely available orchids of the mass market types is also the best for the home - the phalaenopsis or moth orchid which will grow easily under the same conditions enjoyed...Read more

What should I look for when I buy an Orchid?Many consumers, both retail and retailer, find themselves in a position today of having to make purchase-oriented decisions about an entirely new — to them, at least — class of plants...Read more

Why are my orchid's leaves wrinkled and leathery?Shriveled leaves indicate a lack of water to plant tissue. The next step is to determine why the plant is not getting sufficient water.Read more

What's wrong with my orchid?There are many reasons why buds fall off before flowering...Read more

Ask the Orchid Doctor

Join the AOS Chief Science Officer for an informal discussion about orchids. Ron McHatton answers questions submitted to him about orchid care.

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