Orchid Care Tips for a Thriving Indoor Garden

It may seem obvious given the title of this post, but quite simply, I love orchids! These popular plants are beautiful and long-lasting, available in hundreds of exotic colour and pattern variations. What’s not to like?

There are many different kinds of orchid, but the most common (and the one we use most frequently at Plant Designs) is the Phalenopsis or ‘Moth Orchid’, so called because the shape of its flower resembles a moth.

Though many think that orchids are high-maintenance, the truth is that with a few tricks up your sleeve, they’re easy to care for. In my opinion, the best way to keep this plant healthy is to put it in a brightly lit area, though not in direct sunlight which can burn its delicate flowers. It should always be slightly damp, but not wet – the very best way to water an orchid is to ‘dunk’ or almost submerge the pot in a large container of water, hold it there for a few minutes until all the pieces of bark have absorbed some water, then lift it out and let it drain. It shouldn’t need watering again for at least a week in summer and two to three weeks in winter, depending on local conditions.