---
title: "I have an orchid and the mother plant is dead but it has a plantlet…"
description: "I have an orchid and the mother plant is dead but it has a plantlet with no roots can I use perlite as a supplement for moss"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/lRgBqgouu9at2yKhOejakx"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "AryannA"
published: "2026-04-10T16:11:44.127855Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Bb7v8mR9CwRLHudBtAJMZY6Heb6EZkQfR-0zFZDkc8A/UhBSPFhbRIa-avyV7YNnKQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md)

# I have an orchid and the mother plant is dead but it has a plantlet…

_Posted by AryannA on 2026-04-10_

I have an orchid and the mother plant is dead but it has a plantlet with no roots can I use perlite as a supplement for moss

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Bb7v8mR9CwRLHudBtAJMZY6Heb6EZkQfR-0zFZDkc8A/UhBSPFhbRIa-avyV7YNnKQ.webp?size=large)

## 1 comment

### Jen commented on 2026-04-11

If the keiki has no roots, you need to leave it as is until it grows some. Though the mother plant’s leaves have died off, there must still be roots supporting this plant in the potting media. As far as using perlite in the place of moss- it’s a VERY different medium. Perlite is super airy and moss is very moisture retentive. I wouldn’t make such a drastic change while the future of the keiki is still uncertain.

---

_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_