---
title: "Does it harm my orchid to leave this root alone and just let it grow…"
description: "Does it harm my orchid to leave this root alone and just let it grow out or should I try to repot and put it back in?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/Q08-IEwVQaq4KEX7bQwTJg"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "PlantMum"
published: "2024-08-21T07:58:08.272422Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/5cGiaOKyZgBZHroc1fX29yZQ3VJTmM7wg3n8z8sDGLc/AsCegZRcTpKHkrQmrdPqYg.webp?size=large"
---

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# Does it harm my orchid to leave this root alone and just let it grow…

_Posted by PlantMum on 2024-08-21_

Does it harm my orchid to leave this root alone and just let it grow out or should I try to repot and put it back in?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/5cGiaOKyZgBZHroc1fX29yZQ3VJTmM7wg3n8z8sDGLc/AsCegZRcTpKHkrQmrdPqYg.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Jen commented on 2024-08-21

It doesn’t harm it, but it may be more vulnerable to bumping and bruising, possibly snapping, if you are taking the pot in and out of a decorative pot, or to and from the sink to water.

I can’t tell if the roots I see inside the container are in good shape, or not. If if it’s time for a repot anyway, you can gently readjust so the fresh new one is inside the medium, but if you’ve relatively recently repotted, it’ll be fine growing out of the pot.

#### PlantMum replied on 2024-08-21

Thank you! I did just repot recently so I might just let it grow, I appreciate the info :)

### eatyacarbs commented on 2024-08-21

they’re always going to do this no matter how many times you repot — if there are holes, those roots will find their way out because they love oxygen. nothing to worry about!

### Heather commented on 2024-08-21

One more thing to think about out is if you don’t repot it you may have trouble removing it from the pot with it growing out of the hole. I had that issue several times and decided to just put the entire plant on top of leca and moss. I just mist them when the roots silver and the moss dries out (every 2-3 days). I keep about 1 inch of water in the leca to help keep humidity levels up.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pnXnsRbEbVfHs29czNYzK4jB6BFd3BsI9bsKKyqia8I/He1sGSg7SP6OrLKF541qVA.webp?size=large)

### MeasomerPi commented on 2024-08-22

Mine do this all the time. I use to worry about them and tried encouraging them back in, usually resulting in a snapped root end. Then I left them and tried to be careful, sometime resulting in a snapped root end.

Now my approach is to let go and let phal. A vigorous plant can withstand my tender loving care.

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