How to Water Orchid Plants

Orchids are very popular houseplants, and there are many beautiful flowers available in nurseries and gardening centers. In the wild, orchids often live on trees with their roots exposed to sunlight, air and water. Potted orchids require a special irrigation method that simulates the natural environment. You should water the orchid in moderation, when the soil is almost completely dry.

Table of Contents

Determine when to water plants

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Water in moderation. No orchid needs to be watered every day. The reality is that over-watering can rot the roots and eventually the plant will die. ^{[1] X Research Source} Unlike many houseplants, orchids should be watered only when they begin to dry out. Irrigation when the plants are almost dry should be the usual way of watering plants suitable for a particular environment.

In cooler air, orchids will need less watering than in warm environments.
If the orchid pot is placed in a sunny window, the plant will need to be watered more often when placed in a shady area.

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Consider the climate factor. The frequency of watering orchids depends on the humidity in your area, the amount of sunlight the plant receives, and the air temperature. These factors vary from region to region and from house to house, so there is no set rule as to how often to water plants. You will have to figure out which watering practices are appropriate for the particular environment.

In cooler air, orchids will need less watering than in warmer environments.
If the orchid is placed in a sunny window, the plant will need to be watered more often than when placed in a shady area.

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Observe the growing medium to see if it is dry. This is the first sign that the plant needs to be watered. Orchid growing medium usually consists of bark or moss, and if the medium looks dry or dusty, it may be time to water it. However, you still can’t know exactly if it’s time to water if you just look at the orchid growing medium.

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Lift the pot to check the weight. The pot will be lighter when it’s time to water. If the pot is still heavy, it means there is still water in the pot. Over time, you’ll get an estimate of how heavy the pot needs to be watered compared to when there’s moisture in the pot.

Potted plants that are still damp may look different as well. If the orchid is grown in a clay pot, the pot will be darker in color while it is still wet. If the pot is pale, it may not be time to water the plant.

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Try with your finger. This is the best way to determine if your orchid needs watering. Poke your little finger into the orchid growing medium, being careful not to cut the roots. If you don’t see any moisture or have very little moisture, it’s time to water your plants. If it feels moist to the touch, you should wait a little longer. If in doubt, you should wait another day.

Irrigate properly

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Make sure the pot has a drainage hole. You can’t water your orchid properly if the pot doesn’t have holes for the water to drain out. Standing water in the pot will rot the roots, so the pot must have drainage holes in the bottom. If the orchid you buy is planted in a decorative pot without a hole, you need to replant it in a pot with a drainage hole. Use a specialized medium for orchids instead of conventional potting soil.

Find special potted plants for growing orchids. This type of pot is usually made of baked clay and has additional drainage holes on the wall of the pot. You can also find this type of pot in other places that sell other types of potted plants.
If you just want to find a way to quickly water your orchid without having to replant it, you can water it with ice cubes. Place an ice cube equal to ¼ cup (60 ml) of water (usually 3 ice cubes) on the potted media. Remember not to touch the orchid, but only on the substrate for the ice to melt into the pot. Wait about a week before watering again. This method is not good for orchids in the long run, so you should only use it as a temporary solution. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Place the pot under the faucet. The easiest way to water your orchid is to place the pot under room-temperature running water. If the faucet in the sink has a shower head, it will be better for the plant than a strong stream of water. Water the orchid this way for a minute to allow the water to soak into the potting medium and drain out the bottom drainage hole. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Do not use water that has been softened or treated with harsh chemicals. If you grow special orchids, consider using distilled or rainwater.
Water must drain quickly through the potted plant. If water seems to stagnate in the pot, the growing medium is probably too tight.
After watering the plant, check the weight of the pot to distinguish when the pot is lighter and need to be watered again.

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Water the plant in the morning or afternoon. This way, the excess water will have plenty of time to evaporate before dark. If water stays in the pot overnight, the roots may rot or the plant becomes susceptible to disease.

If you see water on the leaves, you should use a paper towel to dry it.
Check the drip tray after watering the plant for a few minutes and empty the water so that there is no standing water underneath the orchid.

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Mist the plants. Orchids grow well in moist environments, so misting your orchid is a great way to keep it healthy, especially to prevent the roots from drying out. Fill a spray bottle with water and mist the plant several times a day. The frequency of misting depends on the environment you live in. Drier environments will require more misting, humid environments only need to spray once a day. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If you don’t know if the orchid needs to be misted again, check to see if the plant is dry.
Do not let water stand on the leaves.
You can find aerosol cans at most supermarkets or online.

Advice

When the orchid is blooming or sprouting new shoots and roots is when the plant needs more water.
When orchids are in between blooming periods, the plant will need less water. This period is usually late autumn and early to mid winter, depending on the orchid variety.
The orchid growing medium has a coarse and porous texture so that air can circulate well through the roots but still retain moisture. The easiest way to get a good medium for orchids is to buy pre-mixed media at the nursery.
Large plants will need more water than small plants even in pots of the same size.
In cool temperatures and low light, orchids will need less water.
Orchids will need less water in very humid environments and more water in very dry environments. Humidity of 50-60% is ideal.
Take care of the tree carefully.
If you live in a dry and sunny area, your orchid will need to be watered more often.

Warning

If you use a water-soluble fertilizer, salts can build up in the growing medium or pot and eventually harm the plant. Don’t use fertilizer every time you water your plants.
Orchids will die quickly if the pot is soaked in water.
If you water the flowers, small mold spots will appear on the flowers. Mold spots, although not harmful to the plant, will make the flowers lose their beauty.
Orchid leaves wither or shriveled can be due to the plant being watered too much, causing the roots to rot and not be able to conduct water to the leaves, or because the plant is too dry. You should check by touching the medium before watering.
Do not allow water to sit on orchid leaves, as this can cause leaves to rot and bacteria to grow. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Steps

Determine when to water plants

Irrigate properly

Advice

Warning

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