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Home » Houseplants

How to repot an orchid

Published: May 19, 2021 · Updated: Mar 23, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

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a woman repotting an orchid with text overlay that reads how to repot your orchids and why you should
a woman repotting an orchid with text overlay that reads how to repot your orchids and why you should

From time to time, orchids will need to be repotted. Learn how to easily repot your orchid even if this if your first time.

a woman repotting an orchid with text overlay that reads how to repot your orchids and why you should
Jump to:
  • What you need to repot an orchid
  • Step by step guide to repotting an orchid
  • Why orchids need to be repotted?
  • Should orchids be routinely repotted?

What you need to repot an orchid

  • slotted pot
  • orchid potting mix
  • shears

Step by step guide to repotting an orchid

collage of an orchid being removed from its pot, cutting dead roots, and putting fresh potting mix around the orchid
  1. Wait until your orchid has stopped blooming. Repotting an orchid while it still has flowers on it can shock your orchid and cause the flowers to fall off. If your orchid has roots that look unhealthy, you can repot it even with the flowers still on it. Ideally though, you should wait.
  2. Carefully remove your orchid from its pot. Grab at the base of the orchid and lift up gently while squeezing the pot to loosen everything. If your orchid isn't coming out of your pot, check the bottom to see if a root is stuck.
  3. Examine the roots for any sign of root rot. Unhealthy roots will look soggy brown and sometimes even black. They can sometimes still be green, but they will be squishy when squeezed. Cut these off and discard. (A healthy root will feel hard and won't get soggy when squeezed.)
  4. Pick out a new pot that has plenty of holes in the bottom and sides to help with air flow and drainage. We like these slotted orchid pots.
  5. Add about an inch of potting medium into the bottom of your pot. Then, carefully place your orchid back into the pot. With one hand holding the orchid, use your other hand to add potting medium into the pot around the roots.
  6. Tap and squeeze the pot to help the potting mix fall down into the pot (This helps prevent air pockets). Then continue adding the medium until the orchid pot is filled.

Why orchids need to be repotted?

  • Needs fresh potting mix (which is why it's important to use one of these best orchid potting mixes)
  • Orchid roots are overcrowding
  • Root rot
two orchids with roots that are overcrowded
These orchids (especially the right one) have really bad root crowding.

Should orchids be routinely repotted?

Yes! Orchids typically need to be repotted once every couple of years. This is because the potting mix will deteriorate or the roots will start to overcrowd.

Sometimes though you will have to do this more often. Especially if your orchid has root rot.

Unfortunately a lot of garden centers don't know how to water orchids properly, so you might need to repot your orchid right after buying.

You can learn all about properly caring for your orchid here (along with the proper way to water).

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ingrid Sutherland says

    December 06, 2022 at 7:19 pm

    I have a 3-year old orchid that has done very well, however, about a month ago, I saw an aerial root that is growing straight up and is a foot long and it appears I have another root that wants to grow straight up too and it's about 4" long. Can I cut these off? Why are they not bending downwards?

    Reply
    • Joanna Stephens says

      December 10, 2022 at 5:25 pm

      Hi Ingrid, so orchids in their natural habitat will grow aerial roots to help anchor the plant to a tree or branch so this is why some of the roots are growing up. It's best to leave these roots alone, do NOT cut them off. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. Linda says

    September 23, 2022 at 8:07 pm

    I have 3 orchids about the same size. They are in a 3 inch pots. Can I plant them all together in one pot. I have the perfect spot for them in my west window and the are doing beautifully.

    Reply
    • Joanna Stephens says

      November 03, 2022 at 4:54 pm

      For your orchids to do the best, keep them potted separately. Overcrowding can harm your orchids and they won't grow well and the blooming may be stunted.

      Reply
  3. Karen NoLand says

    August 06, 2022 at 3:01 pm

    Mine have outstanding spikes/little tubular things growing very very long, some are 12” long! I don’t know what to do with them!? Tuck them inside the new pot? They’re so long they’re nearly impossible to set anywhere as they stick out way too far!! Trim them? Stick inside with the dirt/ potting medium?

    Reply
    • Joanna Stephens says

      August 24, 2022 at 12:49 am

      Hi Karen, great question! There are a couple of possibilities for this.
      -Are they growing upwards and are a bunch of them--(could be aerial roots) in which case you don't want to tuck them inside the potting medium.
      -If they are growing in a downward direction, you can repot the orchid with a larger pot to hold these growing/overcrowded roots.
      Hope this helps!

      Reply
  4. Tara says

    August 03, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    Is there a way to keep orchid in same pot but contain the roots ? I like the pot mine is in but the roots are over growing. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Joanna Stephens says

      August 03, 2022 at 8:27 pm

      Hi Tara, most plants you can prune the roots, but not with orchids. If the pot is too small, it's best to repot it into a bigger one. From the sound of it, if the roots are overgrowing, it definitely needs a bigger pot!

      Reply
  5. Linda says

    July 30, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    I just bought a new pot to replant my orchid but not sure if it’s too big !
    It is an orchid pot with the holes around it and at the bottom, it is a 5” pot (across the top) , my orchid is currently in a 3” plastic pot . Very crowded roots and lots of long roots above the pot .
    Will the new one be too big and hinder the growth of the plant ?

    Reply
    • Joanna Stephens says

      August 03, 2022 at 8:33 pm

      Hi Linda, a 5 inch pot will work great! You will just need a lot more orchid potting mix to fill in the gaps. Make sure to tap on the pot to let all the potting mix settle into the gaps and then add in more where it needs.

      Reply

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