How to Repot an Orchid in 8 Simple Steps

Repotting refers to transferring a plant—stems, roots, and all—from one plant container into a new container. Most potted plants require occasional repotting, as the potting medium for the plant's roots breaks down and depletes nutrients. Repotting usually involves replacing the old potting medium with a new, nutrient-dense potting mix or soil. Repotting also promotes the growth of a plant. As a plant grows up and out of the soil, so does its root system. Over time, the organism will outgrow its present pot’s confines, and a slightly larger one will be necessary.

Orchids (Orchidaceae) are tall tropical flowering plants with an evolved lip, three petals, and sepals surrounding it. The orchid family is robust, containing over 25,000 natural species and more than 200,000 hybrids. Orchid blossoms come in a wide range of colors, from white to orange to pink.

It is time to repot an orchid after the flowers bloom and before new growth occurs in the root system. You can also determine if your plant is ready to be repotted by its potting medium. If you begin to notice the wood material breaking down and decomposing, which can take on the appearance of coffee grounds, it’s an excellent time to repot. Old potting mix can accumulate salts and become depleted of the required nutrients for orchid health. Only repot an orchid when the plant needs it, usually no more often than once a year.

When your orchid is ready to be repotted, consider the following when selecting a new planter:

• Size: The new pot for your orchid should be one to two inches bigger than the current one. If the container is too large, the flower growth can suffer.
• Drainage: Ensure that the new pot has drainage holes in the bottom so the soil doesn’t become waterlogged.
• Material: Terracotta or clay pots will quickly dry out because of their ability to absorb moisture and transmit it into the air in a room, which can be helpful if you live in a humid climate. If your weather is drier, a plastic pot can be a better choice.

Varying types of orchids, your local climate, and the state of growth of your plant can require different kinds of potting soil. Consider the following mixes and additives for repotting orchids:

1. 1. Fir bark: Fir bark is a common ingredient in orchid potting mix and works for several different types of orchids. It doesn’t decay quickly, has a stable pH, and mixes well with other materials you can add to your potting mix. Fine fir bark retains moisture and is especially good for young orchids.
2. 2. Sphagnum moss: Some orchid growers use a mix of sphagnum moss and fir bark, particularly for orchids that grow best in high humidity, like Phalaenopsis orchids or moth orchids. Sphagnum moss is super absorbent, which is essential for your moisture-craving orchid. It complements bark and other harder materials due to its softness, absorbency, and flexibility.
3. 3. Coco fiber and coco coir: These materials, made from the broken-down portions of coconut shells, are suitable for retaining water. The fibrous texture also allows for some air circulation.
4. 4. Clay: You can use pellets of clay as the sole potting medium for orchids. The clay helps with compaction and water absorption and promotes airflow.
5. 5. Horticultural charcoal: Charcoal can help keep your orchid potting medium at a good moisture level as it absorbs excess water. It has the added benefit of filtration, cutting down on impurities such as extra salt in your orchid’s potting media.
6. 6. Perlite: Perlite or rock sponge is a kind of foamy volcanic glass that’s a common additive to many soils. It primarily helps to increase aeration.

Orchids thrive in particular conditions and require special care as indoor plants. Most household orchids are epiphytic, meaning they don’t naturally grow in soil and have a repotting process that differs from standard houseplants. Follow these steps to repot your orchid plants carefully:

1. 1. Gather your tools and materials. It will be good to have a dry newspaper for keeping your workplace clean, in addition to pruning shears or scissors, a razor blade, equipment to sterilize your shears (either a butane torch or a bleach solution), a bowl of lukewarm water, the new pot, and the new potting media, including any additives you’ll be using. A towel and well-fitting gardening gloves will also come in handy.
2. 2. Carefully remove the orchid from its pot. Removing the orchid can be challenging, especially if the orchid has fine roots or if the roots are tightly attached to the inside of the old pot. You can use a sterilized blade (use alcohol or a bleach solution, or the butane torch to sterilize) or a disposable razor blade. It helps if you soak the whole plant (in its current pot) in lukewarm water for five minutes or so, which will loosen up the roots and potting media.
3. 3. Clean up the orchid roots. After removing the orchid roots, use your fingers to remove stuck bits of clay, soil, and other potting media. With sterilized scissors or shears, clip away dead roots or portions affected by root rot. Rinse the roots with tepid water to help loosen them up, making them pliable and easier to fit into the new pot.
4. 4. Prepare the new pot. Orchids are disease-prone, so it’s a good idea to sterilize the new pot either with boiling water, a long bake in a 400-degree oven (if you’re using terracotta), or a soak in a bleach solution.
5. 5. Prepare the medium. For an extra layer of protection, you can also boil the new potting medium. This will help eradicate any potentially harmful organisms and has the added benefit of helping to introduce moisture to the medium. After boiling, drain the mix well and let it cool. Some gardeners simply pour boiling water over the potting mix; others soak it overnight, skipping the boiling process altogether.
6. 6. Prep the pot. Once the new pot is sterilized, place some of the potting media in the bottom of the pot, enough to keep the top of the orchid level with the top of the pot.
7. 7. Place the orchid in its new pot. Make sure the base of the plant is near the top of the pot, and add new potting media slowly as you go, pushing it gently into place with your fingers. Take care to eliminate any air pockets, which will interfere with the healthy growth of your orchid. A sterilized chopstick can be helpful for this task.
8. 8. Add potting mix and gently shape it around the roots. The crown of the orchid plant should remain above the level of the soil. Aerial roots, which grow above the soil, should also stay above the surface of the potting media.

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