Orchids have a reputation for being difficult, but almost all of that comes down to two things: watering them too often and growing them in the wrong compost. Get those right and a moth orchid, the most common kind sold as a houseplant, is genuinely easy and will flower for months. Here is how to look after an orchid through watering, light, feeding, repotting and reflowering.
By Kel, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Gro Worm. Reviewed by Brian McCuskey, Owner. Updated August 2026.
What orchids actually need
Most orchids sold as houseplants are epiphytes. In the wild they grow clinging to the bark of trees, with their roots exposed to air and rain rather than buried in the ground. That single fact explains everything about their care. Their roots are built for open, airy conditions, so they need a compost that drains very freely and lets air reach the roots, and they hate sitting cold and wet. If you want the detail on why ordinary multipurpose will not do, we cover it on our orchid compost page.
How often should you water an orchid?
Less often than most people expect. Water thoroughly, let the compost approach dryness, then water again, which usually means about once a week in summer and every ten to fourteen days in winter. The most common mistake is watering little and often, or leaving the pot standing in water.
The roots are a reliable guide. Plump and green means the plant is hydrated; silvery and shrivelled means it is time to water. Always tip away any water that collects in the saucer or cover pot, because a warm, waterlogged pot is what kills orchids.
How much light do orchids need?
Bright, indirect light suits them best. A spot near a window that gets plenty of light but not harsh, direct midday sun is usually ideal, since strong direct sun can scorch the leaves. If the leaves are a healthy mid-green the light is about right; very dark green leaves often mean too little light, and yellowing or reddened leaves can mean too much.
How do you feed an orchid?
Feed weakly and regularly during active growth in spring and summer, then ease off in winter. Orchids are sensitive to a build-up of mineral salts, so use a balanced or orchid-specific feed at around half the strength you would give other houseplants, and flush the pot through with plain water every few weeks to keep salts from accumulating. Fresh compost holds enough nutrition for the first few weeks after repotting, so there is no need to feed straight away.
How and when do you repot an orchid?
Repot every one to two years, ideally in spring once flowering has finished, or sooner if the compost has broken down and no longer drains freely. Orchids actually like to be snug in their pots, so only move up a size if the roots have genuinely run out of room.
Ease the plant out, trim away any soft, brown, hollow roots with clean scissors and keep the firm, pale-green ones, then settle it into fresh orchid compost. Because the roots are everything with an orchid, giving them fresh, open, free-draining compost is the single best thing you can do for the plant. An 8 litre carry bag is plenty for repotting several plants.
How do you get an orchid to flower again?
After the flowers drop, a moth orchid can flower again from the same stem or send up a new one. Keep it somewhere bright but out of direct midday sun, feed it through spring and summer, and give it a slightly cooler night in autumn, because that drop in temperature is what triggers a fresh flower spike. Healthy roots in fresh, free-draining compost are the foundation for all of it, which is why compost and watering matter more than any clever trick.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water my orchid?
Water thoroughly, let the compost approach dryness, then water again, roughly once a week in summer and every ten to fourteen days in winter. Never leave the pot standing in water, and tip away anything that collects in the saucer.
Why is my orchid dying?
The usual cause is root rot from overwatering or the wrong compost. Check the roots: firm and green is healthy, soft and brown is rotten. Trim off the dead roots and repot into fresh, free-draining orchid compost.
Why are my orchid leaves going yellow?
Yellowing lower leaves are often just age, but if several leaves yellow at once suspect overwatering, or too much direct sun. Check the roots first, then move the plant somewhere bright but out of harsh midday light.
How do I get my orchid to flower again?
Keep it bright but out of direct midday sun, feed through spring and summer, and give it cooler nights in autumn, which triggers a new flower spike. Healthy roots in fresh compost make it far more likely.
Do orchids need feeding?
Yes, weakly and regularly in spring and summer. Use a balanced or orchid feed at about half normal strength and flush the pot with plain water every few weeks to avoid salt build-up.
Give your orchid the right start
Most orchid problems disappear once the plant is in the right compost. Our orchid compost in an 8 litre carry bag is worm-cast enriched and made to keep roots aired and well fed, so your orchid can spend its energy on flowering rather than fighting for air. You can see the full range on our orchid compost page.
