10 Myths About Orchid Care Orchids are often perceived as high-maintenance, finicky plants that only experienced gardeners can grow successfully. As a result, many beginners fall prey to a variety of myths surrounding orchid care. While orchids may seem exotic, they are quite resilient and can thrive with the right care. In this post, we’ll debunk 10 common myths about orchid care and help you understand how to properly care for these beautiful plants.
- 1 10 Myths About Orchid Care
- 2 1. Orchids Need Lots of Direct Sunlight
- 3 2. Orchids Should Only Be Watered Once a Week
- 4 3. Orchids Need Expensive, Specialized Fertilizers
- 5 4. Orchids Only Bloom Once a Year
- 6 5. Orchids Need to Be Repotted Frequently
- 7 6. Orchids Are Hard to Keep Alive Indoors
- 8 7. Orchids Only Thrive in High Humidity
- 9 8. You Can’t Touch Orchid Roots
- 10 9. Orchids Only Grow in Specialized Orchid Pots
- 11 10. Orchids Need Constant Attention
10 Myths About Orchid Care

1. Orchids Need Lots of Direct Sunlight
One of the most pervasive myths about orchids is that they require direct sunlight to thrive. While orchids need light to bloom, direct sunlight, especially in hot climates, can scorch their leaves and stunt their growth.
The Truth: Most orchids, especially species like Phalaenopsis and Cattleya, do best with bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause leaf burn, so it’s better to place your orchids in a location where they get filtered sunlight, such as near an east- or west-facing window.
2. Orchids Should Only Be Watered Once a Week
It’s easy to assume that orchids have a rigid watering schedule, but this is far from the truth. Orchids do not have a one-size-fits-all watering routine, and overwatering is one of the quickest ways to harm them.
The Truth: Orchids, particularly those grown in well-draining bark or sphagnum moss, should be watered only when their potting mix feels dry to the touch. This could mean watering once a week, once every two weeks, or more frequently, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Prior to watering, always make sure the potting material is properly moist.
3. Orchids Need Expensive, Specialized Fertilizers
While orchids benefit from regular feeding, you don’t need to buy expensive, orchid-specific fertilizers to ensure their health. In fact, many of the fertilizers marketed specifically for orchids are not necessarily superior to general-purpose ones.
The Truth: Orchids can thrive with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with a ratio like 30-10-10 or 20-20-20. You can use standard fertilizers available at most garden centers and dilute them to a weaker solution to avoid over-fertilizing your plant. Applying fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season is typically sufficient.
4. Orchids Only Bloom Once a Year
Orchids are known for their long-lasting and spectacular blooms, but many people believe they only bloom once a year. In reality, many orchids can bloom multiple times per year if given the right care.
The Truth: Orchids like Phalaenopsis can bloom multiple times a year, especially when they’re properly cared for. Some orchids may bloom seasonally, while others, like Cattleyas, may have longer or shorter bloom cycles. Regularly trimming spent flowers and ensuring they have the right light, temperature, and nutrients can encourage repeat blooming.
5. Orchids Need to Be Repotted Frequently
Repotting is an essential part of orchid care, but it’s often overdone. Many new orchid growers think that they need to repot their orchids every year, which can actually cause harm.
The Truth: Orchids should generally be repotted every 1-2 years or when their potting medium starts to break down or the roots outgrow the pot. Repotting too often can stress the plant, so it’s important to only repot when necessary. Watch for signs like root overcrowding, yellowing leaves, or a decrease in growth to determine when it’s time to repot.
6. Orchids Are Hard to Keep Alive Indoors
Many new orchid growers believe that orchids are only suited for greenhouse environments, making them seem like a poor choice for home care. While orchids do have specific needs, they are surprisingly adaptable to indoor environments.
The Truth: Most orchids, such as Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium, can thrive indoors with the right light and temperature conditions. Orchids like temperatures between 65 and 75°F (18 and 24°C) and strong, indirect light. With proper humidity and care, your orchid can flourish indoors year-round.
7. Orchids Only Thrive in High Humidity
It’s commonly believed that orchids need extremely high humidity to grow successfully. While humidity is an important factor, too much moisture in the air can actually cause problems, like fungal infections.
The Truth: Orchids generally thrive in moderate humidity levels (50-70%), and too much moisture can lead to root rot and mold. While it’s beneficial to increase humidity during dry months using a humidity tray or room humidifier, orchids can do just fine with standard household humidity levels as long as they’re watered correctly and given the right light and air circulation.
8. You Can’t Touch Orchid Roots
Another myth is that orchid roots should never be touched, as it’s believed to harm the plant. While it’s true that orchid roots are delicate, they’re also much hardier than most people realize.
The Truth: It’s perfectly fine to handle orchid roots carefully when repotting or checking the health of the plant. In fact, inspecting the roots is an important part of orchid care. Gently remove any dead or rotting roots when repotting, and don’t hesitate to touch the healthy roots when moving the plant or adjusting it in its pot.
9. Orchids Only Grow in Specialized Orchid Pots
Many orchid enthusiasts assume that orchids can only thrive in specific pots designed for them, but in reality, orchids are quite adaptable when it comes to containers.
The Truth: While specialized orchid pots with good drainage are beneficial, orchids can be grown in many types of containers, as long as they provide sufficient drainage. Plastic pots, clay pots, and even wooden baskets can work well for orchids. Just make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent water from collecting at the bottom, which can cause root rot.
10. Orchids Need Constant Attention
One of the biggest myths about orchids is that they require constant attention to thrive. In reality, once you understand their basic needs, orchids are relatively low-maintenance plants.
The Truth: Orchids don’t need constant care, but they do require regular attention to water, light, and humidity. With a few key care routines, such as watering when the potting medium is dry, providing the right amount of light, and occasional fertilizing, your orchid will thrive with minimal intervention. Spend a little time checking your orchid once a week, and it will reward you with beautiful blooms.
There are many myths surrounding orchid care, and unfortunately, these misconceptions can discourage beginners from growing and enjoying these beautiful plants. By debunking these myths, it’s clear that orchids are not as complicated to care for as many people think. With the right information and a little bit of care, you can grow healthy, blooming orchids in your home. Don’t let myths hold you back—start your orchid-growing journey today!
What are the common misconceptions in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
One of the major myths in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care” is that orchids need direct sunlight. In reality, they thrive in bright, indirect light, and direct sunlight can actually harm them by causing leaf burn.
Do orchids really need to be repotted every year, as suggested in some of the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
No, repotting orchids every year is not necessary. In fact, one of the myths in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care” is that orchids require frequent repotting. Orchids generally need repotting every 2-3 years or when their roots outgrow the pot or the medium breaks down.
Should orchids be watered the same way as other houseplants, as many believe in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
A common myth in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care” is that orchids need the same watering routine as other houseplants. However, orchids prefer to dry out between waterings and should not be kept constantly wet. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Is it true that orchids must be fertilized all year, as some people think in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
Fertilizing orchids year-round is a myth in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care.” Orchids should only be fertilized during their active growing season (spring and summer) and less frequently during their dormant period (fall and winter).
Is constant misting essential for orchid care, as claimed in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
Misting orchids frequently is a misconception in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care.” While orchids do enjoy humidity, misting too often can cause fungal problems. For constant moisture in the air, a humidifier or humidity tray is preferable.
Do orchids only bloom once a year, as suggested in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
No, many orchids can bloom more than once a year. One of the myths in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care” is that orchids only bloom annually. In reality, varieties like Phalaenopsis can bloom several times a year with proper care.
Are orchids only suitable for tropical climates, as some myths suggest in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
While many orchids are native to tropical climates, they can thrive in various environments, even indoors, in most regions. This is one of the myths in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care” that can be dispelled with proper indoor care.
Do orchids require constant attention and care, as suggested by some of the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
Orchids are not as high-maintenance as some may think. A common myth in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care” is that orchids demand constant care. With the right environment and basic maintenance, they can thrive with minimal effort
Is it true that orchids should always be kept in small pots, as suggested by some of the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
Orchids should not be kept in pots that are too small. A common myth in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care” is that orchids prefer very small pots. They actually thrive in pots that give their roots enough space to grow, ensuring proper air circulation and drainage.
Can orchids only grow in their original potting medium, as stated in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care”?
This is another myth in the “10 Myths About Orchid Care.” Orchids can be repotted in various suitable mediums, such as bark, moss, or a mix of both, as long as the medium provides proper drainage and air circulation.