Family: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Orchid, Moth Orchid
Botanical Name: Phalaenopsis spp.
Orchids are a timeless classic that add sophisticated elegance to a space. Delicate and colorful flowers grow in clusters, known as an inflorescence and gently dangle from a thin stem, creating a dramatic appearance. In nature, Orchids latch on to trees and they tend to grow higher up in the canopy. For this reason, when grown as houseplants Orchids typically need a trellis to provide support for the flower spike. These tropical plants have a bit of a reputation for being particular in terms of care, but they really don't need much to be happy. Moth Orchids are plants that prefer a bit of neglect and given the right conditions, these houseplants can be absolutely stunning. Orchids come from a very large and diverse family of plants. As a testament to the natural beauty and popularity of these plants, there are hundreds of thousands of hybrid varieties, as well.
Light
Orchids need lots of bright indirect light to thrive. Since they can be found high up in trees when growing in nature, they are used to receiving plenty of light. It's important to make sure the light your orchid receives is indirect, since direct light can be damaging.
Water
Over-watering is a problem for all plants, but orchids are particularly sensitive to too much water. These houseplants are somewhat drought tolerant. When watering, make sure to let the water drain through, but let the soil completely dry out before watering again.
Soil
Moth Orchids require a coarse growing medium consisting of bark, perlite, and moss. Many orchids are epiphytes (meaning they grow on other plants) and should never be planted in standard potting soil mixtures. You can create your own mixture, or use any bagged orchid potting mixture as long as there is very good drainage!
Temperature
Warm and consistent temperatures will keep your Moth Orchid happy and thriving. As tropical plants, they like to stay warm. Temperature fluctuations can be a problem, so avoid placing your orchid near heating or cooling vents, exterior doors, and any other areas that may experience drastic changes in temperature.
Orchids also like breezy conditions from time to time. This relates back to how they grow in nature, since high up in the tree canopy can be a windy location. Moth Orchids can benefit from a fan on a very low setting and placed several feet away from the plant, creating a gentle breeze.
Humidity
While Orchids don't like a lot of water, they absolutely love lots of humidity. Orchids thrive in areas with high humidity. You can help re-create the dampness these houseplants crave with a humidifier or a pebble tray with water. Learn how to increase the humidity in the air around your indoor plants!
Fertilizer
Fertilize or feed your Orchid to help the plant continue to bloom. Orchids only bloom when they are in good health, and that means they must receive proper nutrition. There are special orchid fertilizers, but it is recommended to use a diluted (to 1/4 the recommended strength) solution, weekly. Complete balanced liquid fertilizers that have equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (10-10-10).
Growth Rate
Moth Orchids are slow-growing indoor plants as the spend a lot of energy producing blooms. They might be able to produce a few leaves a year when they receiving optimal care and growing conditions.
Pet Friend or Foe
Moth Orchids are non-toxic to pets! Friend!
Pro Tips
- Remove spent flowers by trimming the stalk or flower spike near the base. Most varieties of orchid will not bloom again from the same stalk, so it can be removed. This allows the plant to focus its energy into pushing out new growth and gearing up for the next round of flowers.
- Wait until your orchid is done blooming before re-potting. Re-potting can be stressful for plants, and re-potting while the plant is in bloom may cause the flowers to drop.
- Providing the right conditions not only helps your orchid grow and thrive, it also helps the flowers last longer. Most orchids bloom once a year, while some varieties may bloom several times. Flowers usually last for about 2 months, but maintaining a warm and slightly humid environment can allow the flowers to last for several more weeks.