How to Grow Orchids: Complete Guide to Care and Cultivation

A Comprehensive Guide to Orchid Care

A zygopetalum orchid blooms in the Gardener's Supply greenhouse.

The beauty, complexity, and incredible diversity of orchid flowers are unrivaled in the plant world. With over 30,000 species and at least 200,000 hybrids, orchids comprise the largest family of flowering plants on Earth. They thrive from equatorial tropics to arctic tundra, thanks to an amazing ability to adapt. With so many varieties suited to different conditions, it's relatively easy to find an orchid that matches what you can provide—whether a kitchen window or a full greenhouse.

Orchid Facts

• Orchids can hybridize between species and related genera, creating mind-boggling diversity and complex names.
• Most bloom once a year; happy plants may bloom more often. Buy in bloom for desired season.
• Flowers last 6-10 weeks.
• Orchids resent repotting and may not flower for a year after disturbance. Buy potted, not bare-root.

Easy Orchids for Beginners

• Cattleya: High light; 55-90°F; 40-80% humidity; alternate wet/dry; coarse fir bark.
• Phalaenopsis: Bright light; 65-85°F; 40-70% humidity; don't let dry out; medium fir bark.
• Paphiopedilum: Bright light; 50-80°F; 40-60% humidity; continuous moisture; bark or moss mix.

Are orchids difficult? Many are, but dozens of varieties and hundreds of hybrids thrive on sunny windowsills or under lights. Start with a less fussy variety adapted to your conditions. Buy the most mature plant you can afford (young plants are harder), preferably in bloom.

How Orchids Grow

Monopodial orchids (phalaenopsis, vandas) have a single upright stem with opposite leaves; flower stems emerge from the base of uppermost leaves.

Sympodial orchids (cattleya, cymbidium, oncidium, dendrobium) grow horizontally, sending new shoots from the old rhizome. Many form pseudobulbs—swollen shoots storing water and nutrients for drought survival.

By native habitat:

• Humid tropics (phalaenopsis, paphiopedilum): 73-85°F days, 80-90% humidity; east/southeast window.
• Warm-climate (cymbidiums, dendrobiums): 55-70°F, steady moisture, good air; south window, shade in high summer.
• Cool, dry days (cattleyas, some oncidiums): 80-90°F dry season, distinct rainy season; high light, sunny south window.
• High-altitude/cloud forest (masdevallia, epidendrum): 60-70°F, very high humidity; filtered light.

High-intensity grow lights with three full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs provide 50% more light than dual-bulb versions.

Caring for Orchids

With 30,000 species, general care is impossible, but plant appearance gives clues:

• Few or leathery leaves (cattleyas, oncidiums) → high light needed.
• Soft, limp leaves (some phalaenopsis, paphiopedilum) → light-sensitive, avoid south window.
• Fat pseudobulbs → water sparingly; coarse bark or lava rock medium.
• No pseudobulbs → more frequent watering; moisture-retentive medium like sphagnum moss.

Light

Orchids are light-hungry: 12-14 hours daily year-round. In temperate zones, supplement with artificial light in winter. South/east windows best; west too hot, north too dark. Position 6-8 inches from 4-foot fluorescent bulbs. Full-spectrum bulbs are best all-around. High-light orchids (vandas, cymbidiums) may need HID lighting to flower.

A tiny orchid trained on a piece of bark.

Growing Media

Terrestrial orchids (paphiopedilums, some cymbidiums) grow in soil. Most tropical orchids are epiphytes—growing in air, not soil. Their fleshy roots have velamen, a spongy white layer absorbing water and protecting from heat/moisture loss. Media must provide air circulation, quick drainage, and secure root attachment. Options: peat moss, fir bark, dried fern roots, sphagnum moss, rock wool, perlite, cork nuggets, stones, coconut fiber, lava rock, or blends. Fir bark nuggets are most popular. Some epiphytes can be wired to tree fern or cork slabs.

Watering

Most orchids tolerate drought better than excess moisture. Nothing kills faster than water-logged pots—without air circulation, roots suffocate. General rule: water once weekly. Let medium dry between waterings. No excess water contacting roots. After repotting, water very sparingly for months until active growth resumes.

Specially designed orchid pots make proper watering easier.

Humidity

Tropical orchids prefer 60-80% humidity. Winter homes hover near 30%. Use humidifiers, humidity trays, or gravel trays. Some benefit from misting.

Fertilizer

Orchid media provide few nutrients; fertilize for healthy growth. Use liquid fertilizer, diluted more than for other plants. Apply only during active growth (not midwinter or post-repotting). Common formulas: 30-10-10, 10-10-10, or 10-10-30. Fish emulsion or seaweed extracts for micronutrients.

Potting and Repotting

Orchids prefer relatively small pots. Plastic pots preferred—roots detach easily or pots can be cut. Add foam peanuts at bottom for drainage. Suspend plant, fill with fir bark chunks. Crown just below pot rim. Wire to secure until roots establish. Repot only when necessary: medium breaking down, roots escaping, or new growth unbalancing plant. Some yearly, others 7+ years.

Propagation

Seed propagation is difficult: orchid seeds lack nutrient storage and require specific fungi. Capsules disperse millions of microscopic seeds. Sterile conditions, gelatinous nutrient medium, hormones needed. Months for first leaves (microscopic), years for bloom (3-8 years).

Division is far easier but sacrifices blooms for a year. Larger plants produce more flowers; small divisions take years to mature.