Martha Stewart turned her old orchids into 'wild and curious beauties' that 'adorn' her home – here's how

Followers of Martha Stewart may already know about her love for orchids – her 'favorite' flower that she often cares for in her greenhouse. It's unsurprising, therefore, that the businesswoman recently revived some of her pre-loved blooms – turning them into beautiful statement pieces that fill her iconic Massachusetts estate.

'Before my August trips, I spent a few days grooming, repotting, rearranging my orchid collection in the big glass house in Bedford,' Martha says alongside photos of the healthy blooms. 'That work paid off, and orchids are blooming profusely. I love these wild and curious beauties adorning my home.'

One look at Martha's abundant blooms is enough encouragement for us to follow suit, but how easy is the process? Firstly, knowing when to repot orchids is essential to success. 

'You need to repot your orchid when it looks like the roots are spilling out the top of the pot; I would say once every one to two years, depending on the variety,' says florist Kate Kern. 'It’s really important to repot an orchid when the roots are beginning to outgrow the pot.'

Florist

Florist

Kate Kern

Kate Kern is the head florist at Maison de Fleurs, a leading international floral company with a reputation for creativity, sophistication and integrity. She has worked with some of the world's most exclusive brands and luxury clients (including HRH Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia), inside some of the most exclusive venues globally. 

Repotting and reviving an orchid – inspired by Martha Stewart

When it comes to repotting, Kate recommends placing our orchids in loose bark and moss that will break down and allow the orchid to breathe as it grows over time. Without loose bark or moss, there is less space around the roots, meaning it is harder for the air to circulate and water to drain away. 'All of this can lead to root rot or some kind of disease,' Kate warns. 

After planting, we should check back frequently to ensure they are a healthy green color. 

'If they look soft or brown, then there is often too much water in the pot; it needs more space to drain away the excess,' Kate explains. 'Meanwhile, if they go white or gray, they might not be getting enough; we always water our orchids with a mister or spray [such as this one from Amazon] that prevents the orchid from being overloaded with too much liquid at once.'

Lastly, choosing the right-sized pot is impactful in getting our orchid to rebloom. Kate says we should opt for a pot larger than the original container. 'It should help to bring any orchid back to its former glory!'

For more flower advice from Martha herself, her guide (available via Amazon below) is the natural starting point.