Orchid Care After Flowering: How to Get Them to Rebloom
Owen Petrakis · Oct 13, 2026 · 6 min read
Quick answer
Moth orchids can flower for years with the right light, watering, and a cool spell in autumn.
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are often bought in flower and thrown away when the blooms fade. But with simple care, they will flower again.
The plant needs to rest, grow new leaves, and then get a signal to flower.
1 When the flowers drop
If the flower spike stays green, you can cut it just above a node (a small bump on the stem) and it may produce a side shoot with new flowers. If the spike turns brown, cut it off at the base.
2 Watering the right way
Orchids grow in bark, not soil. Water when the roots look silvery rather than green, usually every week or two. Soak the pot for 10–15 minutes, then let it drain fully. Never leave the pot standing in water.
3 Encouraging new flowers
- ✓Bright, indirect light — an east-facing window is ideal
- ✓A drop in night temperature of a few degrees in autumn
- ✓Feeding with orchid fertiliser at weak strength
- ✓Patience — reblooming can take several months
4 Repotting
Repot every couple of years in fresh orchid bark when the bark breaks down or roots overflow the pot. Clear pots let you check roots and allow light to reach them.
This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.