Orchid (Moth Orchid)
The moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) is the most popular and one of the easiest orchids to grow indoors. Its elegant blooms can last for months, and with a few care basics you can bring it into bloom again year after year.
Care basics
- Light: Bright, indirect light — an east- or north-facing window is ideal. Direct sun can burn the leaves (which may turn red-tinged), and too little light prevents reblooming.
- Water: Moth orchids grow in coarse bark or moss. Water when the media is dry — the classic method is to soak the pot in the sink for a few minutes, let it drain completely, then return it. Never let the plant sit in standing water.
- Media & repotting: Use a commercial orchid bark mix in a pot with excellent drainage. Repot every one to two years before the bark breaks down, ideally after flowering and when new growth starts.
- Temperature: Warm days (roughly 70–85°F) and cooler nights (about 60–70°F); avoid temperatures below about 55–60°F.
- Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity (roughly 40–70%). A pebble tray or humidifier helps in dry rooms.
- Fertilizer: Feed lightly (a diluted orchid fertilizer) during active growth; reduce in winter.
The 3 most common problems
1. Root rot from overwatering / soggy media
Bark-based media breaks down and holds too much water over time, and overwatering — or letting the pot sit in water — rots orchid roots. Fix: Let the media dry between waterings and water by soaking and draining thoroughly. Repot in fresh bark every one to two years, cutting away any dead, rotted roots. See our root rot guide.
2. Wrinkled, shrivelled leaves from underwatering or low humidity
Phalaenopsis doesn't store water like some orchids, so low humidity and too little water produce wrinkled, shrivelled leaves. Fix: Water when the media is dry and raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier.
3. Flower drop from sudden change or stress
Flower buds and blooms can drop if the plant is overwatered, shocked by a big change in temperature, or stressed. Large temperature fluctuations can cause flower buds to fall off prematurely. Fix: Keep the plant in a stable, appropriate spot and avoid drafts and swings in conditions.
Growing advice common to many orchids: don't overwater, give them bright indirect light, and repot in fresh bark every year or two to keep the media from degrading.
Orchid at a glance
- Light: bright, indirect — an east- or north-facing window is ideal
- Water: soak the bark media and let it drain; never let the plant sit in water
- Temperature: warm days (about 70–85°F), cooler nights, not below about 55–60°F
- Repot: refresh the bark every one to two years
- Watch for: root rot (soggy media), wrinkled leaves (low humidity or too little water), and flower or bud drop (a sudden change)
The moth orchid's long-lasting blooms are its reward, and the care is simple once you learn the soak-and-drain watering rhythm and give it bright, indirect light.