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Phalaenopsis Orchid

Plant care guide

How to care for Phalaenopsis Orchid

Phalaenopsis hybrids

Care level: ModerateNon-toxic to cats & dogs

Phalaenopsis, or moth orchids, are elegant plants with arching stems of long-lasting blooms that can stay beautiful for two to three months. They are one of the easiest orchids to keep, and with a little know-how they will rebloom year after year.

Also known as: Phalaenopsis Orchid, Moth Orchid, Phal, White Orchid, Pink Orchid, Light Pink Phalaenopsis Orchid, Yellow Orchid, Yellow Phalaenopsis Orchid, Purple Orchid, Purple Phalaenopsis Orchid, White Phalaenopsis Orchid

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox carefully, holding the pot, and remove any packing material around the flower stem and buds.
  2. Place it in bright, indirect light, such as near an east window or a few feet from a south or west window, out of direct sun.
  3. Check the potting mix: if it is dry, water it; if it feels damp, wait several days.
  4. It is normal for a few open flowers or unopened buds to drop after shipping, as orchids are sensitive to travel and temperature changes.
  5. Do not repot while it is in bloom; wait until the flowers are done.
  6. Keep it away from heat vents, cold windows, drafts, and ripening fruit, which can cause buds to drop.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Bright, indirect light is ideal, such as an east window or a few feet back from a south or west window behind a sheer curtain. Direct afternoon sun will burn the leaves. Healthy leaves should be medium green; very dark green leaves mean too little light, and reddish or yellowish leaves mean too much.

Water

Water about once a week, when the potting mix feels nearly dry and the roots inside a clear pot look silvery rather than green. Water thoroughly at the sink, let it drain completely, and never let it sit in water. Wrinkled, limp leaves can mean too little water or rotted roots; mushy brown roots and yellow leaves mean too much. Avoid letting water sit in the crown where leaves meet.

Humidity

Moth orchids like moderate humidity, around 50 percent. A pebble tray or humidifier helps in dry winter homes, but avoid misting the crown.

Temperature

Keep it between 65 and 80 F during the day. To trigger new flower spikes, give it a few weeks of slightly cooler nights, around 55 to 65 F, in fall.

Soil & repotting

Grow it in an orchid bark mix or sphagnum moss, not regular potting soil. Repot every 1-2 years after flowering, when the mix starts to break down or roots are crowding, into a pot with plenty of drainage. Aerial roots growing outside the pot are normal; leave them alone.

Feeding

Feed every 2-4 weeks with a diluted orchid fertilizer while it is growing new leaves or roots. Flush the pot with plain water once a month to rinse away salt buildup. Reduce feeding when it is in full bloom.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Bud or flower dropshipping stress, drafts, heat, or sudden changes; keep it in a steady spot and new buds may still open.
  • Wrinkled leavesthirsty or rotted roots; check the roots, trim mushy ones, and adjust watering.
  • Yellow lower leafan old leaf aging out is normal; many yellow leaves usually means overwatering.
  • No rebloomneeds more light and a few weeks of cooler nights in fall.
  • Crown rotwater sat where leaves meet; water at the mix only and blot the crown dry if it gets wet.

Tips to help it thrive

  • When flowers fade, you can cut the spike just above a node to encourage a side branch, or cut it at the base to let the plant rest and grow stronger.
  • A cool fall (night temperatures in the low 60s) is the most reliable trigger for a new flower spike.
  • Keep the plant in its clear inner pot so you can check roots; slip it into a decorative cachepot for display.

Pet safety

Phalaenopsis Orchid is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. As with any houseplant, it's still best to discourage pets from chewing the leaves, which can cause a mild upset stomach.

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