How to Water Phalaenopsis Orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Quick Answer
Water your Phalaenopsis once a week in spring and summer, when the bark mix has dried and the roots have turned silvery white. Stretch to every 10 to 14 days in winter.
Phalaenopsis grow on tree branches in the wild and their roots want air as much as water. Soggy roots are the leading cause of orchid death.
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How Often and How Much to Water
Adjust the sliders below for your pot size, light, and setting. The numbers assume a chunky orchid bark mix and a pot with drainage holes or slits.
Setting
Every
9days
Use
1cup
Your Watering Rhythm Across the Year
Soil dries faster in the growing season, which varies by region. Slow down watering in the off-season to avoid overwatering.
Pacific
Mountain
Midwest
Northeast
Southeast
JFMAMJJASOND
Growing season
Growing season
9days
Resting season
3–4weeks
How to Water Your Phalaenopsis Orchid
Soak the bark, drain fully, and let the roots breathe. Phalaenopsis roots photosynthesize and need air, so the wet-then-dry rhythm is more important than the soak itself.
1
Use room-temperature water, not cold from the tap. Cold water can shock the roots.
2
Pour slowly over the bark surface, avoiding the crown where leaves emerge. Water sitting in the crown causes rot that spreads through the plant.
3
Soak until water runs out the drainage holes or slits, then let it drain fully. A 10-minute submerge in a bowl works equally well.
4
Empty any saucer or decorative outer pot after 10 minutes so the roots aren't sitting in water.
Should You Water Your Phalaenopsis Orchid Today?
Always check before you pour. Phalaenopsis show the truth in their roots, not the leaves. Roots tell you exactly when the plant needs water and they only tell you once you check.
Hold off
Roots green and plump through the clear pot
Leaves firm and held outward
Bark feels damp when you push a finger in
Pot feels heavy when lifted
Ready for water
Roots silvery white through the clear pot
Leaves slightly limp or wrinkly
Bark surface bone-dry and lightweight
Pot feels almost empty
If Something Looks Off
Underwater and overwater both end in wrinkled leaves and shriveled roots. The difference is what the roots look like underneath the bark and how fast the change happened.
Underwatered
Bark
Bone-dry through the pot for over two weeks
Roots
All silvery white with some wrinkled or shriveled
Leaves
Soft and floppy with deep wrinkles along the surface
Pace
Slow shrink over weeks that bounces back within days of a deep soak
Next steps
Submerge the entire pot in room-temperature water for 15 to 20 minutes
Lift out, drain fully, and return to its usual bright indirect spot
Expect roots to turn green within hours and leaves to firm up over several days
Resume a steady rhythm of watering when the bark dries and roots silver
Overwatered
Bark
Stays dark and damp with a sour smell
Roots
Brown soft and hollow, sometimes pulling apart at a touch
Leaves
Yellow from the base outward, sometimes dropping off
Crown
Dark wet spot where new leaves emerge, signaling crown rot
Next steps
Stop watering immediately and move to a bright airy spot
Unpot the orchid and trim any brown mushy roots back to firm green or pale tissue. Healthy roots are firm and either green or white
Repot in fresh dry orchid bark in a clean pot with drainage holes or slits
Wait a full week before the first watering
Watch for fungus gnats around the bark. They thrive in damp pots and confirm the mix is staying wet too long
Got More Questions?
Should I use ice cubes to water my orchid?
No, despite the popular advice. Phalaenopsis are tropical and cold water shocks the roots. Ice melt also doesn't fully soak the bark.
Use room-temperature water instead. The actual benefit of ice cubes is portion control, and you can get the same effect by simply pouring a small measured amount.
How do I know when to water?
Check the roots through the clear pot. Green roots mean the plant is hydrated. Silvery white roots mean it's time to water.
This is more reliable than any calendar or finger-test of the bark. The roots are the orchid's water gauge.
Why are the leaves wrinkled and floppy?
Wrinkled limp leaves almost always mean a root problem. Either the roots are too dry to take up water, or they've rotted and can't take up water at all.
Unpot and check. Firm green or white roots mean the plant is just thirsty. Brown mushy roots mean rot, and you need to repot in fresh dry bark.
Can I use tap water?
Most municipal tap water is fine. Phalaenopsis tolerate normal chlorine and fluoride levels.
If your water is very hard or heavily softened, switch to rainwater or distilled. Softened water often contains sodium that builds up in the bark and damages roots over time.
Why is my orchid not reblooming?
Phalaenopsis need a temperature drop of about 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit at night for several weeks to set a new flower spike, usually in fall.
Watering technique matters less here than light and a cool nighttime period. Make sure roots stay green and the plant is in a bright indirect spot, then give it cooler nights in October and November.
How long can I leave it alone for vacation?
Two to three weeks easily for an established plant. Soak deeply before you leave and move slightly back from the brightest window.
The roots will go silvery, but Phalaenopsis tolerate dry stretches better than soggy ones. Don't ask anyone to water if they're not familiar with orchids. A missed week is far safer than an extra one.
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About This Article
Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist
Editorial Process
Watering guidance verified against Phalaenopsis spp. growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.
52,577+ Greg users growing this plant
USDA hardiness zones 10a–12b