How To Care For Orchids So They Rebloom Again, According To An Expert

There's no denying that orchids are absolutely gorgeous. However, if you don't have a particularly green thumb, there's a good chance you may have avoided this flower because of its reputation of being quite temperamental. However, as rePotme clarifies, you shouldn't be intimidated — while orchids do require different treatment than many other plants, you just need to learn how to care for them properly. And since they have the ability to rebloom, they could become a beautiful, fragrant addition to your space for years to come, making all your effort worth it.

In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Liz Will — a Master Gardener through Michigan State University Extension, certified garden coach, and garden consultant at Learn to Grow Gardens – gave us all the necessary information that will ensure your orchid thrives over and over again. "Orchids bloom once per year, on average, and then enter a period of dormancy in which they don't bloom," she explains. "Caring for your orchid properly during this time is essential to be sure that it blooms again."

Just as you need to do with outdoors trees and bushes, the first step is regularly trimming the plant. "Remove spent blooms to keep fresh ones blooming longer, and when your orchid is done blooming, trim the dying flower spike to no more than 3 inches in height," she recommends. 

Read on to learn more of Will's tips for happy, healthy orchids, no matter which particular type of orchid you have.

While you want to ensure your plant is receiving the moisture it needs to prevent dehydration, orchids have certain quirks that necessitate particular strategies for watering. They're not the type of plant that you can water whenever it comes to mind, trusting the soil will soak up any excess and keep the plant hydrated for days to come. "Orchids are a bit different than most houseplants in that they don't like moist soil, which can cause an orchid's roots to rot," Liz Will reveals. "To prevent this from happening, orchids need to be watered a little bit differently."

Will has two go-to strategies that she relies on. "One way is to soak your orchid in a bowl of water every week or two," she continues. "Alternatively, you can water orchids with the ice cube method. To do this, be sure the roots are covered with a layer of bark chips or moss. Once per week, place three ice cubes on top of the bark chips or moss, avoiding any plant roots."

In certain ways, orchids' particular needs in terms of watering actually makes them a little easier to deal with, as you don't need to water them every day. And, once you've mastered Will's go-to techniques to keep them properly hydrated, your orchid can focus on thriving rather than surviving. "Properly watering your orchid, even during dormancy, helps your orchid focus its energy on creating new blooms instead of recovering from improper watering," Will adds.

Light is another critical factor for the growth of all plants. It's the reason that, if you're a plant lover with endless pots and specimens around your home, you've likely positioned them in strategic areas that receive the light that's best for them.

That's because it's not as simple as giving every plant the same amount of sunshine every day. Some plants do better in intense, direct sunlight, while others thrive in the shade. Orchids fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, as Liz Will outlines. "Orchids need bright indirect light, which means they need bright light, but not directly in the path of the sun's rays," she notes. In terms of where in your home you should place your orchid, she advises that "a location a few feet from an eastern or southern facing window is perfect."

And, there's even a handy way to check if you're doing a good job getting your orchid the light it needs. "If your orchid's leaves are bright green, it's a good indication it's receiving adequate light," adds Will.