How to Water Orchids Indoors: A Guide for Beginners

Watering is an essential part of caring for your orchid. A mixture of balance and patience is required when learning how to water orchids indoors.

It is actually very common not to know how to water an indoor orchid. So you are not alone if you find yourself seeking the answer to this question. It is very important to understand how to water orchids. In fact they are very sensitive and delicate plants.

How do you water an orchid?

Here are our top tips on how to water your orchids to help them thrive.

How to water an orchid – Tip 1

Choose a suitable watering accessory.

We have outlined a couple of the most popular ways to water your orchid below. We also outline why they are a great option:

Watering cans – A watering can is a popular way to water an orchid. The overhead handle makes it easy to fill and carry around without spilling any water. The spout of the watering can helps you to target where you want the water to go when you pour. Therefore, a watering can is great choice if you want to have a better aim when you water and you want to water more than one plant.

Watering jugs – Watering jugs are a great option if you need to see the amount of water you are adding to your plant. Watering jugs are smaller and easier to fill than a watering can because they have an open top. A watering jug is a great choice when you have a small orchid collection or a single plant. Watering jugs help prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot. They help you to reduce the amount of water you give your plants. A watering jug is a great option if you are prone to overwatering your plants. They help you to more strictly control the amount of water you give your orchid.

Both of these products offer their own benefits when watering. The right option for you will depend on the size of your plant collection and your watering habits.

How do I water an orchid – Tip 2

Water temperature:

The use of water at room temperature is best practice to not add any unnecessary stress to your orchid. Chilled or hot water can result in roots being shocked and stress your plant.

How to water an orchid plant – Tip 3

Water the roots:

When watering your orchid, you should only water the roots. You should not water the leaves or flowers as this can cause them to rot and lead to fungal diseases.

You should carefully pour water over the top of the roots until the excess water is visible from the bottom of the pot.

How to water orchid plants indoors – Tip 4

Add a specialist orchid feed:

Supplementing your watering routine with a specialist orchid fertiliser is a great way to support your plants growth and keep it healthy.

A specialist orchid feed will help give your orchid plant an extra boost. It adds a range of essential nutrients to your plant and it can be easily worked into your watering routine. Most orchid feeds are concentrated solutions. These can simply be added in the right amount to your water. Keeping your plant watered and healthy could not be easier!

How to water the orchids – Tip 5

Add a specialist myst product:

As well as the use of a specialist orchid feed, you can also supplement your orchids health with orchid myst. Misting your orchid will also help to increase humidity around your orchid. With a range of ready to go bottles, you can easily add misting your orchid into your watering routine. It is best to mist your orchids in the morning to allow the leaves to dry throughout the day.

How to water orchids in bark – Tip 6

Be mindful of root rot:

If your orchid is potted in bark, how you water your plant does not change. It is important to not let your orchid sit in water as this can lead to root rot which will affect the health of your orchid.

How do you water orchid plants – Tip 7

Use a specialist orchid pot:

Making sure you have the correct type of pot for your orchid plant is an important thing to consider, ideally before you start watering your orchid.

A specialist orchid pot is narrower at the bottom than the top. The purpose of this is to raise the inner pot so that the roots do not remain in contact with any excess water.

Final thoughts on how to water an Indoor Orchid

By following our tips and advice and adding these to your orchid watering routine. You will help your orchids to grow stronger and healthier, which is great to support longer and more vibrant flowering.

Proper watering plays an essential role in the overall health of your orchids, so take your time and monitor your orchid plants carefully.