Orchid Care
Orchids are some of the most captivating plants you can grow! They are elegant, exotic, and surprisingly easy to care for once you understand their needs. With a few simple tips, even beginners can enjoy colorful blooms year after year.
Whether you're new to orchids or looking to improve your care routine, we’ve put together this expert guide to help your orchids not just survive but thrive.
Light, Temperature & Humidity Requirements
Most Orchids are native to tropical forests, where they grow under the canopy of trees in warm, humid air. The key to success is replicating those conditions in your home. Here in Central Florida our humid outdoor conditions are perfect for growing orchids. They just need some protection from the cold during our winter months.
Light
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Bright, indirect light is best. Too much sun can scorch their leaves.
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A north- or east-facing window is ideal. If using a west- or south-facing window, use sheer curtains to diffuse harsh rays.
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Leaves should be medium green, not dark green (too little light) or yellowish (too much light).
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Different species of orchids require more/less light. Please visit our store for more detailed information.
Temperature
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Keep indoor temps between 65–80°F for most orchids.
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A slight drop at night (by 10°F) mimics natural cycles and encourages blooming.
Humidity
Orchids prefer 40–60% humidity. Try some of these easy humidity tricks to keep your orchid happy when growing indoors:
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Set your orchid pot on a tray of pebbles with water, just be sure the roots don’t sit in the water.
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Mist lightly in the mornings using a fine spray bottle.
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Use a small humidifier in especially dry rooms.
Watering & Feeding Orchids
One of the most common mistakes new orchid owners make is overwatering. Here's how to strike the right balance:
Watering
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Water once a week, or every 10–14 days in cooler months.
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Make sure you soak the entire pot with water.
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Always let water drain out completely. Never let the pot sit in standing water.
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Use room temperature water. Distilled or rainwater is ideal, especially if your tap water is high in minerals.
Feeding
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Use an orchid-specific fertilizer.
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Apply every 2–3 weeks during active growth (typically spring through early fall).
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Don’t overfeed, less is more when it comes to orchids!
💡 Pro Tip: Signs of overwatering include yellow leaves, mushy roots, and a soggy potting mix. Signs of underwatering include wrinkled leaves, shriveled roots, and dry bark.
Potting & Repotting Orchids
Orchids aren’t grown in regular potting soil. They need excellent airflow around their roots, just like in their natural habitat.
The Right Setup
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Use orchid bark, sphagnum moss, or a specialized orchid mix for best results.
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Choose pots with large drainage holes. Clear plastic pots are popular—they let you monitor root health and light exposure.
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At Abundant Gardens we like to grow our orchids in terra cotta pots. They allow for more air circulation around the roots and they dry out more quickly.
Repotting tips
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Repot every 1–2 years, ideally after blooming.
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Cut away any dead or rotting roots with sterilized scissors before repotting.
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Gently tease out the roots and place the orchid in fresh bark, pressing lightly to secure it.
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If you're unsure about handling this task, we will gladly re-pot your orchids for you. Please call or visit Abundant Gardens for service fee information.
Encouraging Orchid Blooms
A blooming orchid is a beautiful thing, but even when the flowers fade, the show isn’t over! With a little know-how, you can encourage your orchid to rebloom again and again.
The Right Setup
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After flowering, cut the flower spike just above a node (the small bump on the stem). This can trigger a new bloom on the same stem.
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If the spike turns brown, trim it off completely, it’s done its job.
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Let the plant rest for a few weeks with reduced watering.
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Lower nighttime temps by 10°F for a few weeks, this temperature shift can encourage the plant to start a new flower cycle.
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Return to regular watering and feeding once new growth appears.
💡 Pro Tip: Orchids Are Long-Term Companions
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A variety of orchids can live for many years with proper care, offering bloom after bloom and becoming a beloved part of your home or garden. With their sculptural shape and vibrant colors, they add elegance to any space.
Needs Supplies or Advice?
Visit us at Abundant Gardens to shop orchid bark, pots, fertilizer, and our selection of healthy orchids. We’re always happy to help you pick the perfect plant or troubleshoot one you already have.