Orchid flowers are captivating; each one is truly a work of art. This guide provides essential tips for phalaenopsis orchid care, helping you keep yours healthy, prolong the blooms, and encourage reblooming.
Caring for these beautiful plants is not as hard as you may think. They’re the easiest orchids to grow as houseplants. I used to live in Santa Barbara, CA, where many orchid-growing greenhouses are located. Some of these phalaenopsis orchid care tips came straight from the growers themselves.
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Botanic Name: Phalaenopsis Orchid. Common Name: Moth Orchid
Note: This post was published on 9/1/2015. It was updated on 5/24/2024.
Table of Contents
Phalaenopsis Orchid Care & Growing Guide
Colors/Types
When I worked for a florist in San Francisco many moons ago, phalaenopsis orchids (we called them “phals”) were available in white, pink, and lavender-colors. My, how times have changed!
They’re now grown in many more colors, variegations, and color combos. As mentioned in the video, Westerlay Orchids has the popular Gemstone Series, so you can even pick out your favorite jewel-tone color.
Gone are the days when you could only find these beauties in a flower shop. Now, they’re sold in grocery stores (Trader Joe’s and Sprouts always have a good selection), big box stores, and, of course, some garden centers and florists.
How long do Phalaenopsis flowers last?
If you want a plant with a long-lasting bloom time, buy one with more buds than open flowers. The buds will open gradually over time. The individual flowers last about a month, depending on the conditions. A flower stem with many buds can bloom for months if the conditions are right.
At the beginning of January, I brought my friend a mini-phalaenopsis (you can see one further down the page) as a gift. I was over at her house at the end of April, and it was still blooming.
The warmer your house is, the shorter the bloom period will be. Keep your orchid flowers out of the direct sun; it’s not good for the plant and will shorten the bloom.
Light Requirements
Make sure your phalaenopsis is exposed to as bright light as possible without being in the hot, direct sun. They will burn in no time flat if exposed to direct sunlight in a south or west window, especially in the summer.
Think of a greenhouse or conservatory with lots of natural light coming from all directions, but the glass is whitewashed to diffuse the direct rays of the sun—that’s the exposure they love.
However, you may have to move it in the darker winter months to get more light.
Phalaenopsis Orchid Watering
Orchids are epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants, pieces of bark, rock, etc. They don’t grow in soil, and their roots are an anchoring mechanism.
In short, you want to water them and let the water drain out completely. If yours has gone bone dry, you may want to soak it in a pail or bowl for a few minutes, making sure all water drains out.
If growing in pots, they must have drainage holes so the excess water can flow out. Too much water building up will cause root rot. In terms of temperature, I’ve always used room temperature water. I’m not a proponent of using ice cubes to water orchids, but some people are. That’s your choice!
Orchids Growing In Moss vs. Bark
Orchids grown in bark will dry out faster than those in sphagnum moss, which holds the water. If yours is growing in bark, then you want to water it every 7-14 days. If it grows in moss, water it every 14-21 days.
The frequency depends on your home’s environment, the time of year, pot size/type, and growing medium. I prefer to grow my orchids in bark because I have a much easier time getting the watering right. Moss stays wet, but when it dries out, it really dries out!
Like my other houseplants, I back down on the watering frequency in the winter.
Note: My friend in Oakland, CA, has been growing these orchids for over ten years. She soaks hers in a bowl of warm water with a diluted amount of orchid fertilizer every other week for 90 seconds. That’s it; no top watering. It must be working because the majority of them are still alive, and they repeat flower every year!
Temperature/Humidity
There’s a great concentration of phalaenopsis orchid growers along the central coast of California (where I used to live) because the temperatures are relatively even. And, it cools down in the evening, which is something else they love.
The ideal temperature for Phals is 60 to 75 degrees F. Be sure to keep them away from air conditioners, heaters, and hot or cold drafts.
Because they’re epiphytes, they also appreciate good air circulation. I lived about eight blocks from the ocean and had my windows open for 7-8 months out of the year. That meant my phals got the humidity and the air they love.
I now live in the Arizona desert, where the humidity is 14% today. These orchids like high humidity levels (60 to 70%), so growing them here for the long haul is a challenge.
Obviously, a climate-controlled greenhouse is ideal. If the air in your home is too dry, you may have to put your orchid on a tray of pebbles filled with water to increase the humidity. Make sure the bottom of the pot or any thick, fleshy roots don’t sit directly in water. Running a small humidifier nearby or misting your plant every couple of days may also help.
Fertilizing
Orchids don’t grow in soil, so they need to be fed. Bark, moss, or orchid mix doesn’t provide any of the nutrients they need.
The growers 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 of bloom-time/non-bloom-time orchid fertilizers can be very tricky. Whatever you choose, be sure to use it at 1/2 strength and feed your phals every 14 to 30 days.
I mentioned this above, but in case you missed it, my friend in Oakland, CA, has been growing phals for over ten years. She soaks hers in a bowl of warm water with a diluted amount of orchid fertilizer (the same as I use) every other week for 90 seconds. That’s it; no top watering. It must be working because they repeat flower every year.
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. I use this orchid fertilizer, which the grower also uses.
Pruning
Phalaenopsis orchid plants don’t have a lot of foliage, so there’s not much pruning to do. You can prune off the occasional dead or yellow leaves as needed.
Pruning for Re-Bloom
There are varying opinions on how to prune the flower stem for re-bloom, so I’ll just share what I’ve learned and done.
Most growers get re-bloom from their Phalaenopsis Orchids in 6-9 months. Mine typically re-bloomed closer to the 9-month mark. The higher up you prune the stem, the sooner it will flower again.
The best time to prune is after blooming when new growth is appearing. Some people prune the flower stalk 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.
My friend, whom I mentioned above, doesn’t prune her stems at all (unless they turn brown, then she cuts them off) and routinely gets them rebloom, sometimes twice a year. As I said, there are different ways to do this!
By the way, if your phal doesn’t re-bloom, the most common reason is that it doesn’t have enough light. Feeding them is important, too, so be sure to work that into your care routine.
Potting Medium
Phals are epihytes, meaning they don’t grow in the ground; they mostly grow attached to other plants. Their potting mix must be chunky, have good drainage, and prevent root rot. They’re also grown in moss, but the watering can be trickier to get right.
When repotting, I generally use orchid bark with pumice added in. I have used this orchid potting mix; this mix and this one are highly rated, and all are ready to use.
Repotting
The time to repot your moth orchid is soon after flowering. Don’t repot it while in bloom.
Whatever new pot you use, make sure it has plenty of drainage holes so the water can freely flow out. Special pots designed for orchids include this clay one, this plastic one, this wooden one, and this ceramic one.
When I was growing these orchids, I repotted them every two to three years.
Pests
Moth orchids are susceptible to mealybugs and scale. Keep your eyes open for aphids and spider mites.
Pests often travel from one houseplant to another, so identifying plant pests and taking action is important to get them under control.
Pet Safety
Are Phalaenopsis Orchids toxic to cats and dogs? Ring the bells! According to the ASPCA website, they’re deemed non-toxic.
Orchid Roots
Your phalaenopsis orchid will probably have some of its roots 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 and, in nature, grow on other plants. Those wandering, spider-like roots are what anchor them and help them absorb moisture from the air.
If your orchid has plenty of roots, you can cut a couple of them off if they’re bothering you. Do the same with the dead and dried ones.
How To Display Your Phalaenopsis Orchid Plant
Some display ideas include a decorative orchid pot, kokedama, a plastic orchid pot inside a decorative pot (this is how most of the stores sell them), in a wood orchid basket, on a piece of wood or bark, or as part of a tablescape display.
Moth Orchid FAQs
Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Video Guide:
This was shot in the greenhouses at Westerlay Orchids in Carpenteria, CA. It’s right off Highway 101 and definitely worth a visit.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that these beautiful orchids seem quite exotic to some, they are easy houseplants. They can be in bloom for over three months with proper care, 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!
