5 Things Your Orchid Needs in October to Bloom Again in Spring
There are a few fall mistakes to avoid to keep your orchid healthy
Orchids are possibly the most intimidating houseplant to care for, at least they can be in the beginning. There are a lot of assumptions around orchids being difficult, but really their care is often overcomplicated. I find that doing less is more when it comes to these exotic blooms, especially as we move into fall.
In October, orchid care is super straightforward. You need to pull back on watering, relocate your orchid somewhere brighter, and wipe the leaves clean to reduce the risk of pests. The good news is the cooler room temperatures this month can also help your orchid get ready for reblooming.
There are lots of things in your houseplant care kit that can help with these tasks, including this glass plant mister from Amazon. Here, houseplant experts talk through five key jobs for orchids this October.
1. Reduce Watering
The biggest indoor plant mistake in fall is maintaining the same watering regime as in summer. Cooler temps and dormancy mean orchids aren't actively growing, nor do they need so much water. Overwatering now can lead to orchid root rot and kill off your plant.
'As temperatures cool in October, water less frequently, usually every 10 days once the potting medium dries out,' says Plantum plant expert Marina Prokaten.
The trick I always use to water orchids correctly is looking at the roots. Orchids have thick aerial roots that reveal a lot about their hydration – green = they don't need watering, silver = they do.
'Avoid splashing the crown and don't let the pot sit in standing water to prevent root rot,' Marina warns.
You can also use a soil moisture meter (like this from Amazon) to check your orchid's potting mix if you're unsure.
Marina Prokaten is a resident plant expert for the Plantum app, which helps users identify plant species, diagnose their conditions, and get specific care advice. She has three years of experience consulting on botany-related topics for Plantum.
2. Wipe the Leaves Clean
Houseplant pests can take over in the fall, as they retreat into our homes for warmth and flourish in excess moisture from incorrect watering and dust left on leaves. That's why I never miss cleaning houseplant leaves in October.
For orchids specifically, cleaning foliage can brighten up the iconic glossy leaves. I like to use houseplant dusting gloves (like these from Amazon). They're made of microfiber and can remove dust in one clean swipe.
You can also use a bit of neem oil (like this neem oil spray for plants from Walmart) to clean your orchid's leaves and protect them from pests.
'While cleaning them, it’s a great idea to look underneath the leaves and around the plant to check for pests,' adds Adrian Aviles, houseplant expert and owner of Athletic Club Flower Shop. Pests often hide underneath foliage, so it's a good idea to monitor this.
'Removing household dust in October is crucial, as clean foliage maximizes light absorption and allows the orchid to photosynthesize efficiently,' Marina adds.
Adrian Aviles is the owner of Athletic Club Flower Shop in Downtown Los Angeles, which has been around since 1916. Adrian's passion for flowers began when his late mother ran a floral design program, for which he helped to source the flowers. He then took over the historic Athletic Club Flower Shop in 2004 at the age of 24. The store's designers create beautiful arrangements for all occasions.
3. Encourage Reblooming
If you haven't already done the September trick to get an orchid to rebloom, there's still time this month.
'As nights get cooler in October, it can encourage a new spike to grow,' Adrian explains.
This drop in temperature signals to the orchid the shift in seasons, so it prepares a new flower spike to then bloom in spring.
'Allowing temperatures to drop slightly at night to around 60-65°F for several weeks signals to the plant that it is time to set fresh flower spikes,' Marina explains.
You can therefore get an orchid to rebloom by placing your orchid somewhere cooler in the house. This could be a bathroom or a room that has a noticeably cooler temperature at night in fall.
'Just make sure to keep the orchid in bright indirect light and away from cold drafts,' Adrian notes.
This room thermometer from Walmart can help monitor the temperatures for your orchid.
4. Relocate for Brighter Light
A key part of fall houseplant care is relocating houseplants so they have sufficient light exposure. Daylight hours drop this month and leaving your orchid in a corner that was previously bright but is now darker risks weakening it.
'With shorter fall days, moth orchids need sufficient light to sustain growth. Move your plant closer to an east- or south-facing window,' Marina recommends.
Ideally, orchids should receive at least 5-6 hours of indirect bright light. If needed, you can use a grow light for houseplants to boost light levels. This grow light from Amazon has a beautiful wooden finish and a timer for convenient use.
'Rotate the pot regularly for balanced leaf growth, but stop rotating once a flower spike appears so it does not twist or grow crooked,' Marina adds.
Houseplant rotation, as Marina describes, helps prevent leggy, weak growth, which is a common fall problem.
5. Boost Humidity Levels
Another common fall problem is houseplants experiencing dry air due to things like heating. For tropical houseplants and moisture-lovers like orchids, this is bad news. It may cause wrinkled foliage and a general decline in their health.
'Moth orchids thrive in 50% humidity or higher, but as indoor heating turns on in October, indoor air dries out quickly,' Marina says. 'Keep your orchid away from direct heat sources and drafts, boost moisture using a humidity tray or room humidifier, and ensure gentle airflow to keep the foliage healthy,' she suggests.
As Marina notes, you can boost humidity for indoor plants by using things like a pebble humidity tray (like this from Amazon) or a portable humidifier (like this from Walmart). I also place my orchids in the bathroom to banish wrinkled leaves, as these plants love to soak up the extra moisture and humidity from the shower.
What to Shop
As your orchids make new flower spikes over fall and winter, don't forget to train new orchid flower spikes so they grow upright. Allowing them to grow without any support can result in top-heavy flower spikes snapping and flopping when in bloom. You can use this set of orchid stakes and clips from Amazon.
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