--- title: "What is everyone’s favorite soil mixture for an orchid? I have an…" description: "What is everyone’s favorite soil mixture for an orchid? I have an orchid that’s not doing well, looks like it was only in moss, but roots were turning yellow…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/G0pgRWpN45uIYiKDPvMMlG" community: "The Orchid Oasis" author: "Kirsten" published: "2025-04-26T16:29:47.831551Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/MRD7laxyTbGp0l8nBx6rlQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md) # What is everyone’s favorite soil mixture for an orchid? I have an… _Posted by Kirsten on 2025-04-26_ What is everyone’s favorite soil mixture for an orchid? I have an orchid that’s not doing well, looks like it was only in moss, but roots were turning yellow and flowers were dying, despite a new leaf growing. I’m going to repot it. I have moss and leca. This is my first time repotting an orchid to try to save it, and I’ll wondering if this will be a good mixture for an orchid? Google says orchid bark is best. I’m wondering if I should go to the store to buy better soil options? Or can I work with what I have? ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/MRD7laxyTbGp0l8nBx6rlQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/1GdlIyFWSTSA7IBHKxQmRw.webp?size=large) ## 19 comments ### Billie commented on 2025-04-26 I’m trying something new! ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/kjyD5pfE3uePrBc6-ZG1QI1ldfhWTGhfFtmPgDltbFE/4LazqDV6StC9C09aOwqY6w.webp?size=large) #### Paige Marie replied on 2025-04-26 I would love to know how this works out! #### Michelle’s Hobby replied on 2025-04-26 Please post in orchid oasis how you do this and future pics of updates. I’d like to see how it goes. ### Billie commented on 2025-04-26 Just did it this morning this is my oldest moth orchid repotted once it outgrew the second pot and then I saw a video on this technique. May do it with my other two as well, just want to wait and see how this one does. ### Billie commented on 2025-04-26 I heard moss is not good for orchids it may contribute to root rot as it holds too much moisture and doesn’t allow for air flow? #### Kirsten replied on 2025-04-27 That’s what I was thinking.. I took the moss out and squeezed it like a sponge a lot of water came out ### Billie commented on 2025-04-26 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/kjyD5pfE3uePrBc6-ZG1QI1ldfhWTGhfFtmPgDltbFE/xbijTI-lS1Gi1PmRU0SVng.webp?size=large) #### Kirsten replied on 2025-04-27 If the roots are good the plant should come back! I did that once to a plant I overwatered and it came back! ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/wHDv9PKbRnCt1wZpawTTTg.webp?size=large) ### Kirsten commented on 2025-04-26 You have a beautiful plant collection! So you’re trying to grow the orchid in just a small amount of water? #### Billie replied on 2025-04-26 Yup I did add a bit of liquid fertilizer but if you use a bowl or vase with a narrower opening it keeps the area just humid enough #### Billie replied on 2025-04-26 Thanks the one on the brown pit lost its leaves last year but the stump seems in good shape so fingers crossed they grow back ### Kirsten commented on 2025-04-26 I’ve repotted in a leca/spaghnum moss mixture. I was doing the one ice cube a week watering, but due to my previous pics the roots were mushy and dying. The moss seemed to be crammed around the roots, causing lack of aeration. The plastic pot only has one hole at the bottom. I feel this mixture allows for more air flow around the roots. I’m hoping this will do well. I’m going to give it a try. And I’ll make sure to feel and look at the mixture every week before watering to identify if it truly needs to be watered ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/EP_bChALRKmGKgLytOJihQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fNNEhrbV2gUvuwbi2sRUYVFufs3BoKT0bbvkFqjcSSc/andoXa-7TASTvqPJg2XpSg.webp?size=large) #### Aria replied on 2025-04-26 I don’t recommend watering with ice cubes. It’s better to run water over the roots (avoiding the crown) then let them sit in water for 15-30 minutes until they turn back green from silver. Concerning the mix, I use orchid bark only and orchid mix (bark, chunky perlite, charcoal) for my orchids. I can’t speak for/against the moss and leca mix. #### Billie replied on 2025-04-26 This is how I repotted the one above the last time and it did really well #### Amy replied on 2025-04-29 A pot with more holes would help with air flow and keeping the roots from being too wet ### Plants are so 😎 commented on 2025-04-26 Mulch is probably the best option for your orchid ### Lilla commented on 2025-04-26 Don’t repot while the plant is flowering cuz the flowers might stop blooming prematurely ### Brian commented on 2025-04-26 My wife has success with putting them in a vase filled with rocks and water ### Jen commented on 2025-04-27 Moss is only bad when misused. If you keep it light and fluffy, not packed in tightly, the roots get plenty of air. The key is to let your orchid lead you with frequency of watering. If the roots are still green, and the media is wet- don’t water. You can get root rot with any media that keeps the roots constantly wet. I use a moss and bark mix for most of my orchids- but the ones that tend to be super thirsty get repotted into just moss- it keeps me from having to water them too often. --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_