How to Grow and Care for Phalaenopsis Orchids

If you want to try growing orchids at home, Phalaenopsis orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.) are one of my favorite choices. Also commonly known as ‘Moth Orchids,’ these plants are easy to care for and produce gorgeous blooms. Plus, there are 50+ species and hybrids you can choose from. In this guide, I’ll run through my essential Phalaenopsis orchid care tips at home.

Phalaenopsis Orchid Care – Key Takeaways

Common Name:	Moth Orchid, Phalaenopsis Orchid
Scientific Name:	Phalaenopsis spp.
Native Range:	Southeast Asia, Philippines, Northern Australia
Soil:	I prefer a standard orchid mix, typically made up of bark, perlite, and charcoal; excellent drainage is key.
Light:	Bright, indirect light; avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves
Watering:	Water thoroughly once a week or when the top inch of the medium feels dry; ensure the pot drains well and avoid letting the plant sit in water
Temperature:	Ideal range is between 65-80°F (18-27°C) during the day and 60-65°F (15-18°C) at night
Fertilizing:	Feed with a balanced orchid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during the growing season; reduce fertilizing in winter
Pruning:	Remove dead or yellowing leaves and spent flower spikes to maintain appearance; use sharp, sanitized shears
Pests:	Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs; can be managed with regular cleaning, appropriate watering, and the use of insecticidal soaps or neem oil if needed
Toxicity:	Non-toxic to pets and humans; however, it’s always best to keep plants out of reach from pets and small children.

Potting Considerations

In my experience, these orchids aren’t too particular about their pots, but you want to ensure they provide a couple of essential factors.

Orchid potting containers should be large enough to prevent overcrowding. Orchids’ roots don’t like being crowded; instead, they prefer room to spread.

No matter what type of container you choose, you must ensure it contains adequate drainage holes. Improper drainage can lead to problems with root rot.

Best Soil Types

In the wild, these plants grow on other plants or rocks rather than the soil itself. Your job is to mimic these conditions.

Fortunately, you can find many orchid potting mixes in stores (via Amazon). These coarse mixes provide good airflow and drainage.

If you can’t find an orchid potting mix, my preferred home orchid soil mix recipe combines 3/4 bark chips mixed with 1/4 peat moss. This provides excellent drainage, aeration, and a stable base for my orchid plants to grow.

Light Preferences

While these plants are native to tropical forests, they often grow beneath taller trees. Therefore, they like bright yet indirect light. I find that they can tolerate lower light as well.

In my home, my orchids are positioned near an east-facing window, which gets lots of soft morning light and sufficient indirect, bright sunlight throughout the rest of the day.

During the winter, these plants need higher light levels to encourage flowering. As light intensifies in the summer, you can move them to a lower-light area.

Temperature and Humidity

During active growth and flowering periods, keep your orchid in a room that is 65-80ºF.

Once your plant is done flowering, you’ll want to move it to a cooler area. Phalaenopsis orchids require nighttime temperatures between 55-60ºF to induce the formation of a flowering spike.

I also make an effort to keep Phalaenopsis orchids away from both hot and cold drafts.

My plants do well in moderate to high humidity. If you have high humidity, make sure to provide proper airflow. This will help prevent disease issues.

Watering

Unlike some other orchids, phalaenopsis orchids don’t have large water-storage organs known as pseudobulbs. This means that they have lower drought tolerance.

I water my orchids about once a week during the summer and once every two weeks in the winter. Once I see the top of the bark turn dry, I know it’s time to water.

Make sure that water is freely draining from the plant’s pot. Where possible, I recommend avoiding splashing water on the plant’s leaves, which can attract a few unwanted pests.

Fertilizing

The frequency at which you fertilize depends on your plant’s growth stage.

When my plant is growing but not flowering, I fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks with a half-strength, balanced houseplant fertilizer. Once my plant forms flower buds, I fertilize monthly. You’ll only need to fertilize during the active growing season – typically late spring through the summer months each year.

Pruning and Staking

You don’t need to prune these plants regularly. The only pruning they need is the trimming of the flower stalk.

However, I find that Phalaenopsis orchids benefit from staking. By taking the time to support the single flower stalk, you’ll end up with healthy blooms.

In my experience, it’s best to stake these plants when it has developed a flower stalk before it develops flower buds. I use a bamboo flower stake and flower clip to gently clip the flower stalk to the stake.

Common Problems, Pests & Diseases

With a little care, orchids can live for many years to come. Phalaenopsis orchids suffer from many of the same problems that impact other orchids. Keep a lookout for the following.

Mealybugs

These soft-bodied insects resemble cotton. While they may look harmless, they can quickly suck sap from your plant and spread disease.

If you notice only a few mealybugs, you can remove them using a spray bottle or damp cloth. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat larger infestations.

Root Rot

If you notice soft, mushy roots, your plants are likely suffering from root rot. I also find that another sign of root rot is yellowing leaves.

Overwatering, inappropriate containers, or potting mix often cause root rot.

Remove the plant and trim off damaged roots if you spot root rot. Make sure your orchid is planted in a coarse potting mix and a container with drainage holes.

Bud Die Back

In my experience, several factors could be to blame if your plant forms buds but doesn’t form flowers.

Ensure your plant receives an adequate amount of light and the proper temperature and humidity.

If your buds die back, it’s best to cut back the flower stalk and start new.

Wrapping Up

Now that you know more about caring for Phalaenopsis orchids, it’s time to find a few to add to your home. After you master caring for this genus of orchids, you can move onto caring for other species.

Further reading: Discover the best types of orchids to grow at home.