How To Care For Phalaenopsis Orchids

Orchids are some of the most beautiful and exotic plants in the world. Orchids are often considered to be some of the most difficult to grow, but caring for a Phalaenopsis orchid plant is very easy especially if attention is paid to proper light, water, temperatures, potting medium, humidity and fertilizer.

Phalaenopsis Orchids


Phalaenopsis orchid plants grow best near a bright, southern facing window out of direct sunlight. Their leaves burn easily in direct sun, so it’s best to try and filter the sunlight through a shade so as not to damage the plant. If the leaves are hot to the touch, the orchid is receiving too much sunshine. If no sunlight is available, artificial light can be substituted.

Four forty watt fluorescent tubes and two forty watt incandescent tubes directly over the plants should suffice. Leaves should be olive-green when enough light is being received.

Read more: Top 10 Miniature Orchids for Small Spaces

Orchid Watering

Mature Phalaenopsis orchid plants don’t dry out as easily between watering as younger plants do. The Phalaenopsis orchid plant potting medium should never dry out entirely. Orchids can only store water in their roots and leaves and like a constant supply of moisture (although over-watering is also bad).

A good rule of thumb is to water the orchid plant every four to seven days or whenever the plant feels light when lifted. Never allow the orchid plant to sit in standing water as it can kill the orchid plant. Never allow water to collect in the crown of the plant as it may cause crown rot. Crown rot is a common Phalaenopsis orchid problem.

Read more: How To Water Orchids Correctly

Proper Orchid Temperature

Phalaenopsis orchids prefer temperatures that range between seventy and eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit during the day, not to exceed ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit and above sixty degrees Fahrenheit overnight.

Phalaenopsis orchids require temperature differences between the day and evening, which is why they make ideal window plants. This temperature variation is especially helpful to produce flower spikes and encourage budding. Seedlings do require warmer temperatures than mature plants.

Orchid Potting Medium

Unlike other garden plants, Phalaenopsis orchid plants require a special sort of orchid potting mix. They should be repotted every two or so years after their blooming has completed.

The orchid potting mix should drain easily but retains some water, like charcoal, perlite, sphangum peat, tree fern fiber, or fir bark. Choose a pot that fits the roots best and allows for some growth, not the top plant growth. Many greenhouses and orchid specialty shops have Phalaenopsis orchid-specific potting mix that will have some combination of all of these premixed and available.

Orchid Fertilizer

Phalaenopsis orchids should be applied monthly as the orchid potting mix has little ability to provide nutrients for the plant. Provide a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer once a month, or per manufacturers instructions. Many orchid greenhouses have very specific Phalaenopsis orchid fertilizers available.

Proper Humidity For Orchids

If not keeping the Phalaenopsis orchid in a greenhouse it’s hard to keep the sixty to seventy percent relative humidity that the orchid prefers. In that case, it’s acceptable to put the orchid on a tray of moistened pebbles to maintain the humidity. Keeping several Phalaenopsis orchids in a group together can increase the humidity in the area as well.

Care for Phalaenopsis Orchid