Learn easy Tricks to Keep Orchids Blooming. Perfect for beginners who want bright, beautiful flowers that last for months.
Orchids are some of the most beautiful flowering plants you can grow at home. With their stunning shapes and vibrant colors, they can brighten up any space. However, many people find it challenging to keep orchids blooming for an extended period. The good news is—with the proper care, you can enjoy their blooms for months. Here are some Easy Tricks to Keep Orchids Blooming for Months.
Easy Tricks to Keep Orchids Blooming for Months
1. Give Them the Right Amount of Light
Orchids need bright but indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun can burn their leaves, while too little light stops them from blooming.
Place your orchid near a window with filtered light or use a sheer curtain. East-facing windows are perfect. If the leaves are dark green, your orchid might need more light. Healthy leaves should be light green.
2. Don’t Overwater
Orchids are sensitive to too much water. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which stops blooms from forming and damages the plant.
Water your orchid once a week or only when the potting mix feels dry. Always use a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating. Let extra water drain out completely—never let the roots sit in water.
3. Use the Right Potting Mix
Orchids don’t grow in regular soil. They need a special mix that allows air to reach the roots.
Use orchid bark, sphagnum moss, or a store-bought orchid mix. These materials help keep the roots healthy and support long-lasting blooms.
4. Keep Humidity Levels High
Orchids love humidity. Dry indoor air can cause buds to drop early or flowers to fade quickly.
Use a humidity tray (a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles) under the pot. Or mist the orchid lightly every few days. Grouping plants together also helps raise humidity.
5. Feed Your Orchid Regularly
Orchids need food to keep blooming. A light feeding gives them the energy to produce more flowers.
Tip:
Use a balanced orchid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). In fall and winter, feed them once a month or use a weaker mix.
6. Keep Them Comfortable
Orchids are sensitive to temperature changes. Sudden drafts or very hot rooms can shorten blooming time.
Tip:
Keep orchids in a room that stays between 18°C and 24°C (65°F to 75°F). Avoid placing them near heaters, air conditioners, or open windows with cold drafts.
7. Trim Spent Blooms the Right Way
Once the flowers fall off, don’t toss the plant! With the right cut, you can encourage it to bloom again.
Tip:
If the flower spike is still green, cut just above the second or third node (the little bump on the stem). This may trigger a new set of blooms from the same spike.
8. Repot Every 1-2 Years
Old potting mix breaks down over time and stops letting air reach the roots. This can reduce flowering.
Tip:
Repot your orchid every one to two years using fresh orchid mix. Do this after it finishes blooming.
9. Give It a Little Rest
Some orchids, like Phalaenopsis, need a short resting period before blooming again.
Tip:
After blooming ends, reduce watering slightly and skip fertilizer for a month or so. This rest period helps the plant recharge and get ready to bloom again.
