Plant Library
Moth Orchid Care Guide
Phalaenopsis
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
Phalaenopsis is the orchid sold in supermarkets and gift shops. Blooms last for weeks and it can rebloom each year with a cool autumn.
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Plant profile
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect light
- Water
- About weekly; let bark dry slightly
- Humidity
- Average to high
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) [ASPCA]
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-2 ft with spike
- Growth
- Slow
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Light
Medium to bright indirect light. Rotate the pot every few weeks so growth stays even.
Water
About weekly; let bark dry slightly. Always use a pot with drainage holes and empty the saucer after watering. Plants use far less water in winter.
Humidity and temperature
Humidity: average to high. Moth orchids prefer warm temperatures. Large-flowered white types that bloom in spring need about a week of cool nights near 55°F (13°C) in autumn to start flower spikes; modern dwarf hybrids do not.
Soil and feeding
Pot it in a bark-based orchid medium; plants sold in pure sphagnum moss are hard to rewet and are better repotted into bark. Repot about every two years, after flowering or when new leaves appear. Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer at half strength twice a month, or at quarter strength weekly.
Our tip
Pot in bark, not soil, and never let roots sit in water.
Common problems
- No reblooming: Needs 2-4 weeks of cooler nights (around 55-65°F) in autumn.
- Wrinkled leaves: Root rot or underwatering; check roots.
- Bud drop: Drafts or sudden changes.
Pets
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), according to the ASPCA plant list. Check any plant in our Pet-Safe Plant Checker.
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Recommended reading
For the Love of Houseplants
by Tanner Mitchell
Care profiles for 30 popular houseplants (2026), written for keeping plants with confidence.
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