How to Repot an Orchid

Co-authored by Harmony Corelitz

There's something magical about orchids, don't you think? Their elegant necks and brilliant petals are fitting for an ancient forest habitat, and yet they thrive in a home environment with little upkeep. Repotting orchids prevents their roots from getting overcrowded so they'll continue producing gorgeous blooms for years to come. Learn how to determine when an orchid is ready to repot and how to move it to a new container without damaging the roots.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Knowing Your Orchid

1
Determine whether it's time to repot. The ideal time to repot an orchid is right after it finishes flowering, when it begins to produce new growth.^{[1]
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Research source} Plant specialist Hamony Corelitz suggests "repotting orchids yearly so they can get a fresh potting substrate." She encourages to "make sure that you're not going off a schedule for repotting into something bigger. Instead, see if the roots are overgrown and stretching out from the bottom of the pot, or if the roots are turning soft and brown." If you're not sure when your orchid was last repotted, watch for the following signs to know if it's time:
- The plant is growing over the edge of the pot. If the bulk of the plant is leaning way over the edge, it needs more space.
- The bottom leaves are falling off.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Harmony Corelitz
  Plant Specialist
  Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}
2
Don't repot orchids unless you really need to. Being overzealous with orchid repotting can throw off the plant's growing cycle. An orchid should only be repotted if the above symptoms are evident. If it looks to be healthy and well contained in its current pot, put off repotting for another year. It's better for the orchid to get a little overcrowded than to be repotted too soon.^{[3]
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Research source}

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3
Figure out what potting material you need. Now that you know it's time to repot your orchid, it's important to figure out the right type of potting substrate to use. According to plant specialist Harmony Corelitz, "Orchids are epiphytic, so their roots need a lot of aeration and drainage. They aren't typically grown in actual soil; instead, they need to be grown in sphagnum moss or a mix of bark."
- Most common orchids will do well with this mixture:^{[4]
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  Research source}
  - 4 parts fir bark or coconut husks
  - 1 part medium charcoal
  - 1 part perlite
- If you're not sure exactly what kind of orchid you have, packaged potting mix for orchids is a safe bet for most epiphytic orchids. It's available at many nurseries and home and garden centers.
- If you have a terrestrial orchid, you'll need soil that is crumbly and retains water well. It should have a high content of perlite and wood matter. Ask at your local nursery for the particular mix that's right for your orchid genus.
4
Decide what size pot to use. According to plant specialist Harmony Corelitz, "When repotting an orchid, you'll need a pot that's only 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) or so bigger than the pot the orchid originally came in." You want to provide a little more space, but not too much—otherwise, the orchid will concentrate its energy on growing roots, and you won't see flowering for many months. Look for a plastic, clay, glass or ceramic pot suitable for your orchid size. Corelitz also advises "getting a pot with holes in the sides" as well as holes in the bottom.
- Some orchid species have roots that can photosynthesize. If you have a Phalaenopsis, consider getting a clear glass or plastic pot to let the sunlight in.
- If you need to choose a pot that's on the larger side, you might want to add some broken terra cotta chips to the bottom of the pot. This will help the potting material in the middle of the pot, which tends to stay wet, drain more effectively.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Readying the Materials

1
Measure out the potting material you need into a large bucket or bowl. Fill your new orchid pot with the potting mix, then dump it into a container about twice its size. To prepare orchid potting mix, you'll need to soak it in water overnight. This will help it retain enough moisture to sustain the orchid.^{[5]
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2
Cover the potting mix with hot water. Go ahead and fill the bucket or bowl to the top with hot water. Don't use cold water, since the potting materials won't absorb this as well. Be sure the soil is at room temperature before repotting the orchid.
3
Strain the potting mix. You can use a strainer that you'd normally use for food (you'll want to clean it well afterward) or a large piece of cheesecloth. Drain out all the water so that all you're left with is wet potting mix. Run more warm water over the mix to rinse out any dust.
4
Remove the orchid from its old pot. Carefully lift the orchid from its old pot, loosening each root individually. If the roots are stuck to the pot, use sterilized scissors or knife to help free them. It's important to use very clean equipment, because orchids are prone to getting diseases.
- You can sterilize your trimming tools by wiping them with rubbing alcohol on a rag.
5
Remove the old potting mix and dead roots. Use your fingers and a clean pair of scissors to carefully clean up the roots. Pick out the old mix - charcoal, wood chips, moss, and so on - and discard it. Use the scissors to clip away rotten or dead roots, taking care not to damage any healthy plant matter.
- Roots that are soft and limp are probably dead, so go ahead and remove them.
- Untangle the roots carefully by easing them apart with your fingers.
6
Get the new pot ready. If you're using a pot that you've used before for orchids, clean and sterilize it with boiling water to get rid of toxins and kill potential disease vectors. If the pot is large and deep, line it with broken pieces of terracotta or packing peanuts to help with drainage. If you're using a shallow pot, this step isn't necessary.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Repotting the Orchid

1
Place the orchid in its new pot. The older growth should go toward the bottom of the pot, with the newer growth toward the sides, where it will have more room to spread out. The top part of the root mass should be at the same level it was in the previous pot. That means the new shoot should be above the surface of the pot, with most of the roots below the surface.
2
Press the potting mix into the pot. Pour some in around the roots. Shake the pot and tap on the side of the pot to help the potting material settle lightly packed around the root coils. If you do use your fingers, press gently so that the live roots are not damaged. Make sure there are no big air pockets. If parts of the roots are left uncovered, they won't grow properly.
- It helps to pour in just a little potting mix at a time. Work that around the roots with your fingers, then pour in more mix and keep going.
- Continue pressing in the mix until it's level with the top of the pot.
3
Make sure the plant is able to stand upright when you're finished. Stake the plant upright or clip it to the side of the pot so it does not fall over or grow crookedly.
4
Continue caring for your orchid as before. Place your orchid in a temperate spot with partial shade. Water it sparingly or according to the needs of your particular orchid.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What size pot should I use for my orchid?

Harmony Corelitz
Plant Specialist
Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.

Harmony Corelitz

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

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If you're going to repot an orchid, you should put it in a pot that's 1-2 inches wider in diameter than its existing grow pot. They like to stay very compact in the soil—their structure is really held together by the roots.
Question

What type of pot should I use for my orchid?

Harmony Corelitz
Plant Specialist
Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.

Harmony Corelitz

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

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Orchids need a lot of aeration and drainage, so it's best to choose a pot that has holes in the side.
Question

Can I grow an orchid in potting soil?

Harmony Corelitz
Plant Specialist
Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.

Harmony Corelitz

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

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Orchids aren't typically grown in actual soil—they're going to be grown in sphagnum moss, a mix of bark, or orchid bark.

Warnings

Always select a pot with drainage holes on the bottom. If the water is allowed to stand and pool, the roots might rot.

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Do not change the potting medium of your orchid on a whim. If you believe a different medium might be more advantageous for the plant, research it and wait for the proper time for repotting.

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