How to Revive a Dying Orchid So It Flourishes for Decades, According to Horticulturists

Orchids (Orchidaceae) are beautiful and popular houseplants, but they also have a reputation for being finicky. Under the right growing conditions, these plants can thrive for years in your home. But if you misread its lighting and watering needs, you can put stress on this plant and potentially kill it. If your orchid is struggling, whether its blooms look wilted or its leaves have spots, there are ways to bring it back to life. Ahead, we're sharing a few expert-approved methods for reviving a dying orchid.

Signs Your Orchid Needs to Be Revived

There are a few telltale signs that indicate your orchid is struggling. "The potting mix used for your orchid may smell, which means either a bacterial or fungal issue," says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.

Also look for visual signs that your orchid needs to be revived. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while wrinkled leaves can point to underwatering. Red or purple leaves are often a sign of sunburn. If your orchid is suffering from a fungal, bacterial, or insect issue, you may notice spotting on the leaves, loss of leaves, or wilted buds, says Langelo.

How to Revive an Orchid

There are a few ways to revive a dying orchid, but you need to identify what is putting stress on the plant in order to save it.

Adjust the Watering Schedule

Over or underwatering an orchid can cause stress on the plant. "In general, if the leaves start to look soft and wrinkly, the orchid is a little dry. If they're yellowing and dropping off, the orchid is a little wet," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. "If the orchid has been over or underwatered, adjust the watering to get it back on point."

Trim the Roots

Periodically check the roots of your orchid and trim any dead, shriveled, or dying roots, says Langelo. If the roots show signs of root rot or other fungal issues, trim the roots and repot the plant. "Repotting after removing any of these types of roots keeps the orchid from further spread of root rot and crown rot," Langelo says.

Repot at the Right Time

Timing is essential when repotting an orchid. Never repot your orchid when it's blooming—always wait until the flowers are spent. Unlike many houseplants, orchids won't need to be repotted to prevent them from becoming root bound. As epiphytes, these plants commonly push roots up and out of the potting mix, says Hancock. Repot your orchid when the potting mix starts to break down and becomes too dense.

Soak the Orchid

Check the roots of your orchid plant every couple of weeks to prevent dehydration. If the orchid has dried out, soak it in water for about 10 minutes to help rehydrate the mix and the roots, says Hancock.

Provide More Sunlight

If the leaves or flowers of your orchid plant look wilted, try giving it more sunlight. "Indoors, orchids tolerate medium light well, but they really want bright light," says Hancock. "Giving it a brighter spot—either with natural, artificial, or a mix of both types of light—can help supercharge the plant for both growth and flowering."

Provide Adequate Temperature

Orchids prefer temperatures around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooler conditions at night to help induce flowering. Know if your orchid receives warm, intermediate, or cool temperatures, and adjust accordingly. "Too cold or too hot can impede new growth," says Langelo.

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Maintain High Humidity

Maintaining the proper humidity level for your orchid will prevent it from drying out too quickly. "Depending on the type of orchid, humidity levels can be from 50 to 90 percent," says Langelo. "Phalaenopsis, a popular orchid, requires 50 percent humidity. Another popular orchid, Cattleyas, will do well with a range of 50 to 80 percent humidity." If your orchid needs a humidity boost, putting a cloche over it or a water tray under the pot can help.

Identify and Treat Pests

If your orchid is struggling, check for signs of pests. "Pests like scale or mealybugs suck the energy out of your orchid," says Hancock. Some common pests that may affect your orchid include weevils, sowbugs, springtails, snails, scale, thrips, mealybugs, and spider mites. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to treating pest infestations, so research the type of pest to find the right treatment.

Monitor for Diseases

If your orchid is showing signs of stress, it's possible it may have contracted a disease. Tobacco mosaic and bacterial leaf spot are two common issues. "The tobacco mosaic virus is transmitted from other plants nearby, mites, nematodes, aphids, and thrips," says Langelo. Leaf spot is a bacterial disease that appears as brown spots with yellow edges.

Sanitizing pruners, cleaning pots before repotting, and proper watering can help prevent some of these issues. Like with pests, the solution to treating any plant disease starts with properly identifying it, says Langelo.

Tips for Keeping an Orchid Healthy

Understanding the needs of your orchid will help you keep it healthy. Before buying an orchid, it's important to know its native environment, which will clue you into its care needs. "This will help you avoid purchasing an orchid that does not fit your home environment or may be more challenging to keep healthy," says Langelo.

Once you understand your orchid's care needs, you will know how much water and sunlight it needs to survive. Generally, orchids need bright light in order to have enough energy to grow. "After light, making sure you don’t overwater your orchid is key," says Hancock. "Phalaenopsis orchids do better when they’re too dry than when they’re too wet." Repotting your orchid once the potting medium starts to deplete will also help keep the plant healthy.