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Weekly Flowers · Plant Care

How to Water Your Orchid

Orchids can become a complicated subject very quickly. This guide keeps it simple and focuses on one of the most important things: watering a Phalaenopsis orchid growing in bark.

First, Check How Your Orchid Is Potted

Many Phalaenopsis orchids are sold in a plastic grower’s pot placed inside a decorative ceramic container. If yours is set up this way and the inner pot lifts out easily, caring for it is much simpler.

This method is intended for orchids growing in a loose, bark-based orchid medium. Orchids planted in sphagnum moss hold moisture much longer and should not automatically be watered the same way or as often.

Our Simple Soak-and-Drain Method

  1. Leave the plastic grower’s pot inside its decorative pot and fill the decorative pot with room-temperature or lukewarm water.
  2. Fill it high enough to soak the bark and roots in the grower’s pot.
  3. Allow the orchid to soak for about 10 minutes so the bark can absorb moisture.
  4. After about 10 minutes, drain all of the water out of the decorative pot.
  5. Wait a moment, then drain it again to remove any water that has collected at the bottom. Put the orchid back in place and enjoy.
Florist Tip: After you think the pot has finished draining, check it again a few minutes later. Water can continue to collect at the bottom of a decorative pot. If you see any, dump it out again. The bark should be hydrated — the orchid should not be sitting in stagnant water.

How Often?

For many Phalaenopsis orchids grown in bark, watering may work out to roughly once a week, but the calendar should not be the deciding factor.

How quickly an orchid dries depends on the bark, pot size, room temperature, light and humidity. Check the potting medium before watering again. Bark generally dries faster than sphagnum moss.

The goal is simple: thoroughly hydrate the roots and growing medium, then allow the pot to drain freely.

What to Avoid

  • Do not leave water standing in the decorative pot. Continually soggy roots can rot.
  • Do not use ice cubes. Use room-temperature or lukewarm water instead.
  • Avoid leaving water pooled in the crown where the leaves meet. If water collects there, gently blot it away.
  • Do not assume every orchid needs the same schedule. This page is specifically about the common Phalaenopsis orchid grown in bark.

Keep It Simple

You do not need to become an orchid expert to keep a Phalaenopsis happy. For everyday watering, remember three things:

SoakGet the bark and roots thoroughly hydrated.
DrainPour all of the soaking water out of the decorative pot, then drain it again.
No Standing WaterMake sure no standing water remains in the decorative pot.

Getting an orchid to rebloom is a separate subject. This guide is intentionally focused on basic watering care.

Care guidance from Weekly Flowers · Ottawa, Ontario · This page covers basic watering for Phalaenopsis orchids grown in bark.