How to Repot an Orchid

Repotting orchids is an essential part of keeping them healthy and thriving. Over time, the coarse potting media breaks down, holding too much water and increasing the risk of root rot. Roots can also outgrow their container, pushing the plant upward. These issues signal it’s time for a new home. Repotting not only refreshes the growing media but also gives you a chance to inspect cleanup the roots, ensuring your orchid stays vigorous and healthy. 

Orchids benefit from repotting every one to three years.  The best time to repot orchids is after flowering, just as new leaf and root growth are starting. This typically occurs in late winter or early spring, but may also happen at other times of the year, depending on when the plant finishes blooming.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start by removing the orchid from the old container. 
   • If the plant doesn’t easily slide out of the container, try squeezing the outside of the pot to loosen it or run a sharp knife around the inside of the pot. 
2. Carefully pull all the old potting media from the root mass. 
   • If the roots are dry, soak them in water for a few minutes.  Then pull apart and loosen all the roots.
3. Cut out any soft, dead, brown, black, or hollow roots.  Rinse off the root system and the inside of the container.
4. Get a new, clean, and sterilized container
   • You can clean the current container and reuse it. In many cases, the orchid can be returned to its original container (or a new one that is the same size). 
   • If the root mass does not physically fit into the container, move up to a container just large enough to fit it.  In many cases, this means only moving up one size.  
   • Remember, the size of the container is determined by the root mass, not the size of the leaves and stems.  This may lead to using a container that appears small. 
5. Obtain your media.  Orchids are typically grown in a coarse bark mixture.  Learn more in this article: Growing Orchids Indoors: Media.
6. Place the plant inside the container, and while holding the plant with one hand, gently add the coarse media around the roots. 
   • Use a chopstick, pencil, or other device to get the media between all the coarse roots. 
   • The media needs to be firm enough to hold the plant upright without support.
   • Be careful as you firm or push any bark or other media around the base, as the coarse roots are easily snapped or broken. 
7. Finally, water the newly potted orchid thoroughly.

More Information

• Growing Orchids Indoors
• How to Care for Houseplants
• Indoor Plants (PDF)

Photo credits: 1: gicku91 AdobeStock; 2: Svetlana AdobeStock; 3: Obaba Gala AdobeStock