Planta Discover

How to water an Orchid (Phalaenopsis and others)

Udgivet November 20, 2025

How to water an Orchid (Phalaenopsis and others)

How to water

Check the potting mix - if it looks dry, it might be time to water. You can also lift up the pot to check if there's any condensation on the nursery pots wall and to measure its weight, if the pot is dry and it feels light it’s time to water. There are several ways to water your Orchid. Choose a way that suits you the best:

Ifthe pot is heavy and the potting mix looks wet snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.

public/content/C7CxCcj8SC6NiiAemrFbyg.webp

Water over the soil

  1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap. Avoid watering inside the crown of the plant (where the leaves meet at the center)

  2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes

  3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your Orchids sit in water

  4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

Make sure that your orchid is planted in a pot with holes. If the water can’t drain out from the pot it might cause the roots to rot.
— Planta tip

public/content/zr8iuEVRTPaMmSemM6w4sQ.webp

Bottom watering

  1. Fill the plant tray with water

  2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray

  3. Wait for about 10 minutes

  4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray

  5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray

  6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Water bath

  1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water

  2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water

  3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped

  4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off

  5. Put your Orchid back in the cachepot or on the tray

  6. After 1 hour, check that your plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

Orchids dislike cold temperatures so do not water it with ice cubes or too cold water as this could severely damage your Orchid.
— Planta tip

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

How do I know when my orchid needs water?

Check if the potting mix looks dry. You can also lift the pot to see if it feels light and lacks condensation on the nursery pot wall.

What are the different ways to water an orchid?

You can water an orchid by pouring water over the soil, using bottom watering, or by giving it a water bath. Choose the method that suits you best.

Should I use ice cubes to water my orchid?

No, orchids dislike cold temperatures. Watering with ice cubes or very cold water could severely damage your orchid.

How can I prevent root rot when watering my orchid?

Always ensure your orchid is in a pot with drainage holes. After watering, remove any collected water from the tray and never let your orchid sit in water.

What is bottom watering for orchids?

Bottom watering involves filling a plant tray with water and allowing the soil to absorb it from the bottom for about 10 minutes. Ensure the soil is moist throughout before removing excess water.