You don’t have to be an orchid aficionado to grow these colorful, long-lasting orchids in your home.
Don’t be intimidated by their exotic appearancemoth orchids need very little to thrive as houseplants.
Moth orchids are great for new gardeners because they are some of the easiest orchids to grow.
Group a collection of moth orchids in matching pots for maximum impact.Credit: Ralph Anderson
We’ll take you through the basics of caring for moth orchids.
Orchids as houseplants are grown in a pot filled with orchid bark mix or sphagnum moss.
Orchidslike humidity, but do not tolerate being overwatered.
For in-depth growing information, visit the American Orchid Society.
Light
Orchids like bright, indirect light.
Sometimes plants are sold in pure sphagnum moss, which must be monitored carefully to avoid overwatering.
Repot them every few years in fresh growing medium per our instructions below.
Water
You’re actually more likely to kill a moth orchid by overwatering than by underwatering.
(Bark holds less water than moss, so orchids planted in it should be watered more often.)
Light exposure, seasonal variation, humidity, and planting material all factor into how quickly orchids dry out.
Never leave orchid roots in standing water.
Moth orchids should not be kept at temperatures above 85F or below 55F.
Low humidity can cause orchid leaves to wrinkle.
Fertilizer
Ask your local nursery for an orchid fertilizer, and apply it according to package instructions.
Foreasy feeding, try Dynamite Orchids & Bromeliads (10-10-17) slow-release plant food.
Don’t fertilize during winter, when plants are exposed to less light.
This tiny plant is a clone of the mother plant.
Use a sharp, sterile garden knife to cut the keiki from the stem.
you might then plant the keiki, following our instructions for potting orchids.
In another year or two, the younger plant will mature and bloom.
Another reason to repot an orchid is if it outgrows its current pot.
Use a container with good drainage holes.
Then water the plant.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Many orchid problems are due to overwatering or improperly watering.
A bad smell is also an indication of bacteria.
Spotted leaves without any sign of bad-smelling bacteria or pests can indicate a fungal infection.
Again, remove infected areas, and be careful when watering.
Spray with a combination bactericide/fungicide.
Mushy or disappearing roots are a sign of root rot from overwatering.
When you water, make certain to empty out the tray that sits under the pot.
Watering early in the day gives the plant more time to dry out by nightfall.
Brown spots on flowers are because of botrytis blights.
Spray the plant with insecticidal soap and repeat in 7-10 days.
Once an orchid has stopped flowering, it’s possible for you to prune it to encourage another bloom.
If the whole stem died, cut off the bloom spike at the base of the plant.
If the stem is still healthy, cut just above the second node underneath the spent flowers.
Keep fertilizing, except in winter.
Leave the pot in bright, indirect light.
Your orchid should rebloom within a year.
Orchids will sometimes develop new flower beds on an existing spike after flowers have faded.
Although the leaves are succulent, moth orchids can’t go without water for weeks.
Resume a regular watering schedule and the orchid will slowly recover.
Scorched leaf tips and yellowing are good indications your plant is getting too much direct sunlight.
Excessive fertilizing, no fertilizing, and overwatering are other common causes.
Provide appropriate care and don’t move the plant to another location before its flower has opened.
Moth orchids can scorch in the sun, but need bright light to bloom.
Snip off the bloom spike and continue to water and fertilize as appropriate.
Moth orchids bloom at least once a year.
In excellent growing conditions, a healthy and mature orchid can bloom twice or even three times a year.
