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Joy Us Garden | Care, Propagation, and Pruning

Blog, Gardening 101, Gardening Guides & Tutorials, Houseplant Care, Orchids · 09/01/2015

How To Care For Your Beautiful Phalaenopsis Orchid

a woman in a coral shirt holds a phalaenopsis orchid with purple/blue flowers

Holy Orchidaceae batman – how fascinating, gorgeous and intriguing your flowers are.  Each of your blooms is like a work of art!  Also known as the Moth Orchid, this is the one that does the best as a houseplant and can be commonly seen in restaurants, hotels, offices, spas and the like.  Here’s how to care for your Phalaenopsis Orchid to keep it healthy and also how to get it to bloom again.

Many of these Phalaenopsis Orchid care tips came straight from the growers themselves.

many phalaenopsis orchids moth orchids in a grower's greenhouse

Caring for these beautiful orchids is not as hard as you may think.  This should help you out:

Light

Make sure the light for your Phalaenopsis Orchid is as bright as possible without being in the hot, direct sun.  They will burn in no time flat if in a south or west-facing window, especially in the summer.  However, in the darker winter months you may have to move if it to get more of that light it needs.  Think of a greenhouse that has lots of nice, natural light but the glass is whitewashed to diffuse the direct rays of the sun – that’s the exposure they love.

Temperature

There’s a great concentration of Phalaenopsis Orchid growers here along the central coast of California because our temperatures are relatively even.  And, it cools down in the evening which is something else they love.  Be sure to keep them away from air conditioners and heaters as well as any hot or cold drafts.  Drumroll please: the ideal temperature for Phals is 60 to 75 degrees F.

Be sure to watch the video outlining their care.  Plus, it was shot in the greenhouses at Westerlay Orchids!

Watering

I did a separate post & video on how I water my Phalaenopsis Orchids last week which has a lot more details in it.  In short, you want to water them thoroughly & let the water completely drain out.  If yours has gone bone dry, then you may want to soak it in a pail or bowl for 10 minutes making sure all water drains out.

Moss vs. Bark

Orchids grown in bark will dry out faster than those in moss which really holds the water in.  If your Phal is growing in bark, then you want to water it every 7-10 days.  If it’s growing in moss, then water it every 14-21 days.  There are variables to these numbers so again, be sure to check the post above.

I prefer to grow my orchids in bark because I have a much easier time getting the watering right. If you need to repot yours, this bark mix is a good growing medium.

close up of beautiful lavender/white phalaenopsis orchid moth orchid flowers

Fertilizing

If you’ve read any of my other posts or watched my videos, then you know I don’t use a lot of fertilizers.  With orchids, however, you really need to feed them because they’re not growing in soil.  Bark or moss doesn’t provide any of the nutrients they need.

The growers that I’ve talked to recommend a water-soluble balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20 ( you can also use 20-10-20, 15-15-15 or 12-12-12) for the homeowner because the timing on orchid fertilizers can be very tricky.  Be sure to use it at 1/2 strength & feed your Phals every 30-45 days.  Not to be a broken record, but be sure the fertilizer thoroughly drains out because the build-up of salts can cause the roots to burn. This is the orchid fertilizer I use, which the grower uses also.

close up of large white phalaenopsis orchid moth orchid flowers with deep rose centers

Pruning for Re-Bloom

Most growers get re-bloom from their Phalaenopsis Orchids in 6-9 months.  Mine usually re-bloom closer to the 9 month mark.  It’s best to watch the video for this, but the higher up you prune, the sooner it will flower again.  I’ll do a separate video on this in the next couple of months because it’s easier to understand by watching.  Some people prune the stem down to 1 node above the foliage which is fine but it takes longer for the stem to re-grow.  I prune just above the node below where the very 1st flower appeared.

By the way, if your Phal doesn’t re-bloom, the most common reason is that it doesn’t have enough light.

Humidity

Obviously a greenhouse is ideal – no kidding Sherlock!  I live about 8 blocks from the ocean & have my windows open for about 7-8 months out of the year.  That means my Phals get a lot of the humidity they love.   If the air in your home is too dry, then you may have to put your orchid on a tray of pebbles filled with water to up the ante on the humidity.  Make sure the bottom of the pot or any of the thick, fleshy roots don’t sit directly in any water.

magenta mini phalaenopsis orchid moth orchid in a grower's tray

This is a mini Phal.

Air Roots

Speaking of roots, your Phalenopsis will probably have some of them growing out of the pot.  It’s not because the orchid is pot bound – those are the air (or aerial) roots reaching for something to grab onto.  They’re epiphytes & in nature, they grow on other plants & those wandering, spider-like roots are what anchor them.

If your orchid has plenty of roots, then you can cut a couple of them off if they’re bothering you.  Do the same with the ones that are dead & dried up.

Colors

When I worked for a florist in San Francisco so many moons ago, the colors you could find Phalaenopsis Orchids in were white, pale lavender & deep lavender.  My how times have changed!  They’re grown in so many more colors, variegations & color combos now.  As mentioned in the video, Westerlay Orchids has the popular Gemstone Series so you can even pick out your favorite jewel-tone color.

many blue phalaenopsis orchids moth orchids in a grower's greenhouse

Here are some of the color-infused Gemstone Collection Phals.

Despite the fact that Phalaenopsis Orchids seem quite exotic to some, they make easy care houseplants.   2 of mine have been in bloom for almost 3 months now making them quite a bargain compared to cut flowers.  The Phalaenopsis has become America’s favorite orchid.  I love the many different types of orchids so it’s a tough choice for me.  I say, the more orchids the better!

Happy gardening,

Nell's signature
beautiful yellow & lavender phalaenopsis orchids moth orchids in a grower's greenhouse

Just for fun – a sea of Westerlay’s beautiful Phalaenopsis Orchids!

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Previous Post: « Weekend Musings
Next Post: A Phalaenopsis Orchid Quickie »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mary lou says

    07/28/2016 at 8:25 pm

    just purchased a darling orchid, when should I repot it and will it get larger than 2 inches?

  2. Nell says

    08/01/2016 at 3:36 pm

    Hi Mary Lou – Orchids bloom best when tight in their pots so I’d give it at least another year until you repot it. Only go up a couple of inches on the pot size. The Darling Orchids max out at about 12″ tall. Nell

  3. Diane Vierra says

    05/18/2017 at 12:48 pm

    What kind of fertilizer do you use on this

  4. Nell says

    05/20/2017 at 7:21 am

    Hi Diane – This is the one I use: http://amzn.to/2r3bKrq. I like it because it’s an all purpose food which you can use when your orchids are blooming & when they’re not. The grower told me to use it once a month all year round. Hope that helps, Nell

  5. Terry Manahan says

    04/24/2018 at 3:53 am

    I have an orchid that I received when my mom passed away in 2015. It is a phalaenopsis orchid. I had never owned an orchid before then, so when it got done blooming, I cut the stem all the way back to the bottom. It has yet to rebloom! I have fertilized, moved to the basement (we live in Kansas) in the winter months for cooler air and still has not rebloomed. It has grown a new leaf and the leaves are green. It’s in a ceramic orchid pot with bark. I did just watch your video on watering and I’m thinking that I may not have been watering it enough (I had been using 3 ice cubes because I was afraid of overwatering). I just pulled it out of the pot, trimmed off some of the dry roots, put it back in the pot and saturated it with water. Hopefully, I see something soon:) I have it in my living room which is bright, but, not in direct sunlight. Any other ideas? Thanks.

  6. Nell Foster says

    04/27/2018 at 6:43 am

    Hi Terry – My orchids bloom on their own. I use a year round orchid fertilizer every other month & keep them in bright natural light. They need light to bloom. I water them every 1-2 weeks depending on the temps. Nell

  7. Anisha says

    05/28/2018 at 10:59 pm

    Hello, my orchids are drying out . What immediate action do i take

  8. Nell Foster says

    06/05/2018 at 11:04 am

    Hi Anisha I always let my orchids dry out a bit in between waterings. If they’re severely dry, soak them in a bin or the sink filled with a few inches of water for 30 minutes. Nell

  9. Ranae says

    06/20/2018 at 2:44 pm

    Hello my daughter got a Phalaenopsis Orchid for her birthday. It is starting to out grow it’s very small pot. Do I repot it or leave it? Thanks

  10. kieshia says

    06/28/2018 at 7:20 am

    I received my orchid for mothers day and i have been keeping in watered with three ice cubes and light in the office. But sadly they are starting to droop what do i do to get them back alive again.

  11. Nell Foster says

    07/18/2018 at 12:23 pm

    Hi Ranae – If only a few roots are growing out, that’s fine. Phals prefer to grow a bit tight in their pots. If more roots are growing out & getting long, then it’s time. Go up 1 pot size & use a mix formulated specifically for this type of orchid. Nell

  12. Nell Foster says

    07/18/2018 at 3:09 pm

    Hi Kiesha – I don’t water mine with ice cubes. I have them in bright, natural light. I take them to the sink & water them thoroughly as needed, usually every 7-10 days. Nell

  13. Yvonne says

    07/18/2018 at 4:36 pm

    I was handed a Phal three hours ago and I have no idea what to do with it. Help!!!

  14. Nell Foster says

    08/21/2018 at 2:54 pm

    Hi Yvonne – Enjoy it! This post & video will guide you through as well as this: https://www.joyusgarden.com/categories/#orchids Nell

  15. Lisa says

    01/21/2019 at 7:34 am

    My orchids are in a ceramic pot with no drainage. Should I put it in a pot with drainage and what type of bark do I need to use?

  16. Nell Foster says

    01/22/2019 at 3:26 pm

    Hi Lisa – Because orchids are epiphytes, they need to drain well & aerate. I’d put them in a pot with at least 1 drain hole. They do make orchid pots. If you have phals, small to medium orchid bark is best. All are available on amazon. Nell

  17. Rebeca Flores says

    10/26/2019 at 9:06 pm

    I have a flower pot on the balcony with ten white and purple phalaenopsis orchids.

    They are beautiful, they flourish every year

  18. Nell Foster says

    10/28/2019 at 9:40 am

    They really are spectacular!

  19. Nancy Anderson says

    11/29/2019 at 4:54 pm

    My phaleo is sprouting green leaves at the tip of stems as the blossoms drop off after blooming. What do I do with these green leaves?
    Are they new plants? This orchid plant is a couple of years old and has bloomed both years. There has never been new leave growth at the tip of the stem before. This same plant has sprouted new stems with buds. The plant seems to be healthy. I just need to understand what to do with the green leaves. I couldn’t find a reference for this so I hope that you can help me. Thank you. Nancy Anderson

  20. Nell Foster says

    03/03/2020 at 1:33 pm

    Hi Nancy – 1 of my Phals is doing that now too – it’s a new plant forming. I’m leaving it on the stem for now, but once the roots gets developed enough, you can cut it off the stem & plants it. Nell

Trackbacks

  1. A Phalaenopsis Orchid Quickie - | says:
    09/04/2015 at 9:26 am

    […] something more educational and informational, be sure to check out my recently published vlogs on Phalaenopsis Orchid care and how I water my Phaleanopsis Orchids.   These beauties are commonly known as Moth Orchids […]

  2. How I Water My Phalaenopsis Orchids - | says:
    11/25/2015 at 10:56 am

    […] As a general rule, I water mine every 7-14 days.  Here are my guidelines when it comes to watering Phalaenopsis Orchids. […]

  3. Hanging A Miniature Phalaenopsis Orchid - | says:
    11/25/2015 at 11:00 am

    […]  By the way, if you have kids, this is a great orchid crafting activity to do with them.  This miniature phalaenopsis orchid project came together in 15 minutes from start to finish with no hot glue or wire needed – way to […]

  4. Transplantarea orhideelor înflorite - Informe.ro says:
    04/15/2019 at 7:43 am

    […] Transplantarea orhideelor înflorite de tip Phalaenopsis […]

  5. Cymbidium Orchid Care says:
    10/12/2019 at 5:37 pm

    […] day and cool at night is best. This is why they aren’t the ideal houseplant orchid-like the popular Phalaenopsis. They don’t like the low light of interiors nor the dry heat of our […]

  6. 13 Christmas Blooming Plants says:
    11/06/2019 at 4:57 pm

    […] Phalaenopsis Orchids are a lovely choice, as their flowers are on tall stalks & tend to be long lasting.  Cymbidium Orchids are another choice if you can find them. […]

  7. Reasons Why Indoor Plants Make You Feel Good | Joy Us Garden says:
    12/02/2019 at 5:59 pm

    […] plants, like orchids, anthuriums, and bromeliads, make us feel as good as having a bouquet of fresh flowers. Plus they […]

  8. 15 Easy-Care Office Plants for Your Desk | Joy Us Garden says:
    01/04/2020 at 2:22 pm

    […] 13.) Phalaenopsis Orchids […]

  9. Repotting Plants: Basics Beginning Gardeners Need To Know says:
    03/08/2020 at 11:28 am

    […] down a 1/2 – 1″, then go ahead & just top dress with new soil. 1 exception would be phalaenopsis orchids which grow with their top roots […]

  10. Fall Table Decoration with Succulents and an Orchid says:
    03/24/2020 at 1:50 pm

    […] White Phalaenopsis Orchid. […]

  11. Why I'm Not Surprised Millennials Love Houseplants | Joy Us Garden says:
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    […] houseplants: Aloe Vera, Phalaenopsis Orchids, and Lucky […]

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