Getting an Orchid to Rebloom is Easier Than You Think – 5 Expert-Approved Ways to Trigger Spectacular Repeat Blooms

Few houseplants inspire as much devotion – and often disappointment – as orchids. Their elegant flowers can last for months, but once the final bloom fades, many of us are left wondering whether our plants will ever flower again. The good news? Getting an orchid to rebloom is far easier than this plant's reputation would suggest.

With the right balance of light, temperature, watering and post-flowering care, most common orchids, and particularly Phalaenopsis, will happily bloom again year after year.

In fact, many failures to rebloom come down to just one or two easily fixed mistakes, that are simple to understand even if you're caring for an orchid as a beginner. Here, our resident orchid expert shares their most reliable tips for encouraging repeat blooms, helping you turn a once-flowering plant into a long-term, flowering feature.

How To Get a Phalaenopsis Orchid To Rebloom

If you have an orchid at home, the chances are it is a Phalaenopsis orchid – the most commonly grown type of orchid worldwide.

Also known as moth orchids, they are easy to recognize by their wide, flat leaves arranged opposite one another, and their long, arching flower stems. They are one of the easiest orchids to grow.

Indoors, Phalaenopsis orchids (available from Amazon) can bloom at almost any time of year, with flowers that often last for several months under the right conditions.

However, what many growers don’t realize is that these orchids naturally go through a short resting phase once flowering finishes, often in late winter or early spring, before producing new spikes.

This is why many plant parents are disappointed when the flowers suddenly fade and fall, assuming the plant has failed or died. In reality, this is an orchid myth. The pause is both normal and necessary. With the right aftercare and a few simple environmental cues, your orchid can be encouraged to flower again – often more reliably than the first time.

Here’s how to get an orchid to look its best once again.

1. Wait Until All the Old Flowers Have Fallen Away

The key to getting a Phalaenopsis orchid to rebloom is to start the process as soon as the final flowers have fallen from the plant.

Observing how long your orchid typically blooms will help you prepare for the next cycle in good time. Indoors, Phalaenopsis can often flower repeatedly, even though they bloom just once a year in the wild.

Once the last flowers have dropped, you’ll usually be left with a flower spike. This spike is where new blooms are likely to emerge after a brief dormancy period.

Tenielle Jordison, Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens, and resident orchid expert, says to leave healthy spikes in place rather than cutting them immediately, as they can sometimes produce secondary blooms.

'Look for natural signs that the plant is ready to rebloom: the leaves should remain firm and green, and the spike may start showing small new buds or nodes; a promising signal that your orchid is preparing for its next display,' she says.

Timing can also be influenced by the season: late winter to early spring is often the optimal period for encouraging new flower spikes, thanks to increased light and slightly cooler night temperatures indoors. Paying attention to these cues will help your orchid rebound beautifully and reliably.

Tenielle Jordison

Tenielle is a Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens with over six years of journalistic experience, including previously having the role of Gardens News Writer. Before coming to Homes & Gardens, Tenielle was in the editorial department at the Royal Horticultural Society and worked on The Garden magazine. As our in-house houseplant and orchid expert, Tenielle writes on a range of solutions to houseplant problems, as well as other 'how to' guides, inspiring garden projects, and the latest gardening news.

2. Trim a Green Spike Down to the First Node (And Cut a Brown Spike Off Altogether)

Once your orchid has dropped its remaining petals, it’s time to trim the flower spike, but avoid cutting it too low.

For a green spike, trim just above the first visible node (the small joint along the stem). This careful pruning can help stimulate growth and encourage new blooms to develop from that spike.

If the flower spike has turned brown and papery, it’s best to prune your orchid back to the base. These Modern Sprout pruning snips from Amazon are ideal for this kind of delicate job.

While this means the next flowers may take a little longer to appear, it allows the plant to focus on producing a fresh, strong spike, setting the stage for an even more spectacular display.

With the right care over the following weeks, this new stem will form buds that eventually open into blooms, giving your orchid a second life.

3. Place Your Orchid in a Bright but Cool Spot

While most houseplants thrive in warm spots, orchids need a slightly cooler environment to encourage flower development, especially at night.

Aim for nighttime temperatures of around 55–65ºF, which helps new flower spikes form. The ideal location should also be bright but with indirect sunlight; a southern- or eastern-facing window is perfect.

'Healthy, vibrant green leaves are a good sign your orchid is happy with its light exposure,' says Tenielle.

'As the flower spike develops, stake it gently to provide support for the growing blooms. Once the spike is established, you can move the orchid to a warmer spot in the home, around 65–85ºF, ideally in a slightly humid area,' she adds.

Light humidity can be encouraged by placing the orchid on a pebble humidity tray, just like this one from Amazon, or giving it a gentle misting, which helps the plant absorb moisture from the surrounding air and promotes strong, healthy flowers.

We love this glass mister from Amazon for it's vintage appeal.

4. Continue to Water and Fertilize – Even in Dormancy 

Dormancy is the flower-free period between bloom cycles, when your orchid may look as if it’s dormant or even dead.

Despite appearances, this stage is crucial for care, especially if you want perfect blooms to re-emerge. Phalaenopsis orchids typically rest for six to nine months, so patience is key.

During dormancy, it’s important to keep the plant lightly hydrated without overwatering, as orchids dislike sitting in water.

Water orchids only when the top layer of the growing medium feels dry to the touch, and always empty any excess water from the tray to prevent root rot.

'A helpful guide is the roots themselves,' says Tenielle. 'Green roots indicate the plant is hydrated, while silvery-grey roots signal it’s time for a drink. Using a transparent pot can make monitoring root health easier.'

Fertilizing once a month during this stage can also help encourage healthy growth. Use a specialized orchid fertilizer, such as this one from Amazon, after watering. This supports strong new roots and prepares the plant to produce a robust flower spike when the next bloom cycle begins.

5. Give Your Orchid Optimal Care Whilst it is Blooming

Keeping the plant healthy during the blooming period will not only prolong the flowers but ensure the plant is in good condition to provide energy for the following dormancy and reblooming cycles.

There is often little need to repot orchids, so watering and fertilization are often the only requirements.

When you see them developing, it's handy to be able to train new orchid flower spikes, to keep the plant neat and healthy.

FAQs

Why is my Orchid Still Not Blooming? 

If your orchid is still refusing to rebloom, then it could be an issue with its environment.

Not having enough light, enough food or the correct temperature can be enough to throw the orchid off balance, resulting in a disappointing lack of flowers.

Most orchids can rebloom once, maybe twice a year in the right conditions, though different orchids will have different growth cycles and requirements.

An orchid can take around six to nine months to rebloom indoors, meaning patience is a virtue when caring for these elegant plants. During this time, it may be tempting to think of your plant as dead, but it is entirely possible to bring an orchid back to life, even when it has no flowers on it.

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