How to Repot an Orchid Plant

Orchids are beautiful, exotic plants that are often grown in warm, humid environments or kept indoors as houseplants. Orchids do not often outgrow their original containers, but sometimes over years the soil in the containers begins to break down. At such a time, you will need to repot the orchid. Because orchids are delicate and easily disrupted, it is important to transplant them properly to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Pot
• Orchid compost mix
• Pruning shears
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water

1. Repot in the late spring, just before the orchid shoots up with new growth and the plant flowers.

2. Water the orchid well the day before repotting.

3. Sanitize sharp pruning shears by cleaning them off with rubbing alcohol. Rinse them clean in fresh water.

4. Remove the orchid from the original pot and gently shake off the excess compost from its roots.

5. Trim off dead roots or shorten roots that have grown too long with the sanitized pruning shears.

6. Place the orchid in a new potting container that is slightly larger than its old one to allow for new growth.

7. Fill the pot with compost. Using compost to grow an orchid will give your plant the drainage it requires. You can purchase specialty orchid compost mix from a gardening store. Pack the compost down gently but firmly.

8. Lightly water the orchid in its new pot.