How to Repot an Orchid So It Blooms for Years to Come, According to a Horticulturist

Orchids (Orchidaceae) are a beautiful and beloved flower and a perfect houseplant. Their tall, elegant silhouette resembles a graceful sculpture, and they come in a wide range of elegant colors. While there are between 25,000 and 30,000 orchid species, the most common—and the one most people will have at home—is the moth orchid (Phalaenopsis).

Just like any other plant, moth orchids need to be occasionally repotted. This may seem stressful since you're moving a delicate-seeming flower from its familiar home, but it's relatively straightforward when done correctly. Here, we spoke to a professional horticulturist to get their tips and tricks for easy, worry-free orchid repotting.

Why It's Important

Repotting is an essential step in any plant's growth cycle, and that includes orchids. As a moth orchid flourishes, it will naturally start to outgrow the pot it's in and will need to be transplanted to continue to thrive. "It's often to replace the potting mix and stabilize the plant," says Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at The Morton Arboretum. "The root system needs to have enough room to grow."

Signs You Need to Repot

Timing is everything when it comes to repotting. The good news is that it's not a task that you'll have to do regularly. "Most orchids are not going to need to be repotted very often—maybe every couple of years," says Yiesla.

There are some signs to watch out for, though. "If an orchid's size is out of proportion to the container, then it may need to be moved to a larger container," Yiesla adds. This will help facilitate healthy growth and give the orchid more room.

Another telltale sign is bad potting mix—either mix that's deteriorated or become moldy. Either way, you'll be able to tell by the foul odor, but the latter should be visible to the naked eye, too.

How to Repot

To rehome your orchid, start by selecting a new pot and making sure you have orchid-specific potting mix on hand. The new pot should be one size bigger than its current container, according to Yiesla, and can be made of either plastic or clay. Next, turn the plant on its side and carefully slide it out of its original container.

"Gently brush off or wash off the old potting mix," she says. "Put some mix in the new pot, then insert the root system into the pot and gently fill in around the roots with the new potting mix."

Aftercare

Yiesla emphasizes always watering thoroughly after you've repotted an orchid. Don't let it become a habit, though—after, it's best to give your orchid a break and hold back on watering for a bit. "Careful observation will help with this," says Yiesla. "Don't fertilize the orchid until it has been in its new pot for a few weeks."

Common Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes Yiesla sees people make with orchids is choosing the wrong potting mix—whether in the original container or the new pot. "They're grown in special potting mixes," she says. "These often use a lot of chunky bark, not only to hold some water but to stabilize the plant so it doesn't tumble out of the container." Using a regular potting mix, on the other hand, can create an environment that's too wet for the orchid.

On the same note, Yiesla cautions to never water with ice cubes, and to only water your orchid with room temperature water.