Easiest Orchid to Grow

Phalaenopsis orchid

While many types of orchids are classified as "easy" or "beginner" plants, the phalaenopsis orchid is the easiest one to grow in your home. It has been hybridized to be a houseplant for nearly 200 years, so all the crankiness has been bred out of it.

Basic Needs

Florists adore phals. A cut stem will last two weeks in an arrangement.

Phalaenopsis orchids, also known as moth orchids, are warm-growing (from 62 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit), low-light orchids. They are epiphytes, which means they grow caught up in the branches of trees in the filtered light of high tree cover in their natural environment. Because they've never grown in dirt, their roots have never learned cope with sitting in moisture. Being too wet is the one thing to which they cannot adapt.

Overwatering = Death

A phalaenopsis hybrid.

Phals must have a distinct wet to dry cycle to be robust. A successful watering schedule will mimic what the orchid enjoyed when it was a weed. That means the plant is watered when the top of the potting mix is very dry to the touch (spaghnum moss mix) or the pot feels light (bark blend). Simulate a quick tropical shower by watering the plant in the sink with tepid water until it is gushing out the drainage holes. Let the plant sit and drain thoroughly before putting it back in its usual spot.

Light Requirements

Phalaenopsis orchid hybrid.

The phalaenopsis orchid naturally grew in high tree cover, which provided filtered light. Even though it is a tropical plant, it will sunburn if exposed to the harshest hours of sunlight. Place your phal so that it receives two to four hours of bright, indirect light a day. If the leaves feel warm to the touch or get yellow splotches, they are getting too much light. If the leaves are a dark forest green, they are not getting enough light. Your leaves should be a medium, grass green.

References

• "Ortho's All About Orchids"; E. McDonald; 1999.
• "Four Seasons of Orchids"; G. Allikas & N. Nash; 2007.