Don’t Let Your Orchid Die Early — How to Keep It Thriving for Years to Come

Orchids (Orchidaceae) are flowering houseplants beloved for their wide variety of colors and delicate-looking blooms. There are more than 28,000 orchid species known, and each can thrive for years when their care needs are met. 

Here’s how long orchids live and how you can maximize their lifespan through care.

How Long Do Orchids Live?

Orchids can live for 15 years or longer with the proper care. Orchids bloom once every year throughout the plant’s long lifetime, and each flowering cycle lasts about six to 10 weeks. 

However, you need to understand how to properly care for an orchid for it to thrive for that long. Without the right light, temperature, soil, watering schedule, and all-around eagle-eyed care, the orchid won’t even last six weeks.

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How to Keep Orchids Happy and Healthy

Here are four surefire ways to consistently keep your orchid healthy.

Choose the Right Pot and Soil

Orchids do best in well-drained soil and a pot that is specifically designed to house orchids. These pots have holes on the sides, which provide extra drainage and allow for air circulation to reach the roots. That said, orchids can also do well in traditional terracotta pots with the right care.

While they can live happily in a pot for years, you’ll eventually need to repot your orchid. Stay alert for signs that your orchid is too big for its pot (the roots will be visible at the top of the pot or be reaching out through the drainage holes) or if the potting medium appears to be breaking down.

Stick to a Watering Schedule

Always let your pot’s soil dry completely before watering again. If the soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time for more water. As a general rule, orchids need watering about twice a week, though this can vary. Avoid overwatering your plant because this can cause root rot. 

Keep It at the Right Temperature

Orchids do best in conditions between 50°F and 90°F with a humidity level of 40% to 70%, depending on your plant’s species.

Maintaining the right environment is vital, and it’s important to consider where you’re placing your plant as part of its care. Keeping an orchid near a heater, in the path of an AC current, or even on a drafty window sill can hinder its health. Make sure your orchid’s location is kept at a consistent temperature year-round. 

Monitor Sunlight

Orchids need bright light, but not direct sunlight. Placing your plant on a south-facing or east-facing window can give you the bright, indirect light it needs. 

Signs That Your Orchid Is Unhealthy

Though orchids have a reputation for being difficult to care for, you won’t need to worry as long as you stay vigilant about what your plant is trying to tell you. Make adjustments to your care and help it thrive. 

Here are some warning signs that your orchid is having problems: 

• Shriveled, wrinkled leaves are a sign you’re not watering your orchid enough.
• Yellowing leaves, on the other hand, indicate that your plant is receiving too much water. Reduce your watering schedule and, if needed, repot your orchid in dry soil.
• If your orchid’s buds drop before they bloom, something is wrong and you need to do some investigating. Your plant may be in the wrong temperature or humidity level, overwatered, or underwatered.
• A plant that fails to produce flowers is another sign of a problem in the orchid’s environment. 
• Black or brown spots on the leaves are a telltale sign of a fungal or bacterial infection. Try using a commercial fungicide to rid your plant of the disease. 
• If you see white spots with brown rims on the leaves, this is a sunburn. Your orchid is getting too much direct sunlight and should be moved to a different, partially shaded location.

Orchid Care After Flowering

Many types of orchids bloom once a year for a few months. After your orchid is done blooming, the flowers will drop off, leaving the old flower spike behind. You’ll need to clear these spikes away to allow your orchid to bloom again next year. 

Cut off the flower spikes with sharp and sterile pruning shears. Don’t skip sterilizing them, as this will reduce the chance of bacteria getting into your orchid.