Orchids are magnificent flowers! Despite having no smell, which is the case for most orchids, they are still widely admired. Orchids kept inside the home can actually become a feature of your décor. If used for this purpose, however, you may wonder how long do orchids last growing indoors? You may also wonder the same thing if you are planning to give an orchid to someone as a gift. Orchids are indeed a great gift to give for several reasons: they live longer than a bunch of flowers, they are elegant and they look beautiful anywhere in the home.
How long do Orchids Live?
The short answer is that, given the right conditions and care, orchids can live indoors for lengthy periods of time. The exact length of time that an orchid lives, will, of course, depend on the type of orchid and the quality of the care that it is given. Let’s discuss how long orchids live under different circumstances:
Growing orchids inside the house:
Many people choose to grow orchids inside the house and they are frequently used as a decorator item. Mostly people prefer Phalaenopsis Orchids for inside the home because they don’t require a lot of effort to maintain. You just have to find the right spot in the house in accordance with the lighting conditions and ideal temperature it requires. An ideal spot is north or east-facing windowsill. You should water your orchid only once every week as your orchid needs a reasonable drying periods before it should be watered again. Cutting the orchid just right when the time to repot arrives, every year, will encourage re-blooming. If you continue to care for your orchid in this way, you will probably be the next expert who has managed to grow your orchids for years and years. Orchids are flowers that will return your small investment in effort with their long life in your home.
Care on receiving the orchids:
When you receive an orchid as a gift, store it in a cool place to extend its life-span. The ideal temperature for this purpose is 50 – 60℉. Also ensure you do not over water it as orchids do not like wet feet. Proper care of your orchid can mean that it may flower for many weeks and the plant should also continue to thrive indoors once flowering is finished.
Cutting for give-away purposes:
Orchids flowers are frequently used in weddings and ceremonies. The reason for this is because they are known to last longer than almost any other flower when cut – although, this is not true of every orchid. However there is a way to find out which orchids will live longer than others. Those that are heavy and seem waxy will live for a longer period than those that are quite delicate. To make sure every orchid that you want to include in a bouquet lives long enough, additional care and ideal living conditions have to be provided for the orchid before you cut and arrange them in corsages and bouquets. The cutting technique for every orchids varies from type to type.
Cutting for decorating in vases:
After taking good care of your orchid in the pre-bloom period with a suitable orchid fertilizer you should ensure a quality bloom. Cut this freshly bloomed orchid, with the stems, and submerge them in clean, warm water for 10-15 minutes. Take them out, cut ¼ inch off the stem and put it in a beautiful vase to complement the beauty of the orchid. Make sure the vase contains hot water with a temperature somewhere around 100℉. This trick to make your cut orchid last longer is the same for most of the orchid flower types.
You now know how to increase the life-span of an orchid in just about every possible situation. Make good use of this knowledge and be the ultimate ‘keeper’ when it comes to orchids. Good luck!
i have many phal. orchids and have different colors. I live in Arizona and gets hot and dry. I put my orchids north east side of the room its 77 degrees everyday and 75 degrees at night. And I water them every Friday. I have not used a fertilizer yet. So far orchids are healthy. when flower all fall off do I cut it all the way down to the base for more big blooms . some they say cut the middle of the stem before the node. Which one is better all the way to the base ore cut half from the stem node?????Please help
No, I did not and it re-bloomed very nicely. It took about 2 months for it to re-bloom. It is also making seed pods. I m excited to try to grow these from seed.
Wish I can show photos there are so many buds. Love this plant.
Just want to know if my orchid should be in the Guinness book of records because I was given one in August (from a good garden centre in Durham City) in the year 2011 and it has NEVER stopped flowering! It hasn’t always been on the same stem but when one stem has died out another one is already in bloom to replace the old stem. Has amazed everyone that knows it!
just curious as i’m no green thumb but the last petal fell off my orchid today which I’ve had since May. I’ve kept it indoors in a pot and watered as needed. Is this the end of the road for this thing or will it grow more flowers? The leaves are a bright green but the stem is naked/empty.
It will probably flower again soon if kept in the correct light. I have had some for many years.
Pretty flowers!!!
Pretty. Flowers!!
I have inheretid an orchid , given to my mum in hospital by my daughter in law. Unfortunately mum died. Its been flowering for three months in a pot on the window sill in the kitchen, at a very high temp as we live in Perth WA. How do we keep it going indoors for a long time.Thanks .regards Julia
I the an Orchid for about 5 years and wondering how long do they live
I have a beautiful and georgous white orchid, when im travelling away from my home she stop flowering , then when i returned home and stayed for two months she started to give many msny beautiful flowers thay made everyone amazed. One week ago i had to leave home and i learned now that she losted almost all her flowers :'( :'(
What to do ? How can i help to my orchid ? Even if my family are already taking care of her
I’ve had my orchid for about a month and a half, it was given to me as a prize. A couple of the leaves have died off along with one bud. The remaining buds and leaves seem to be pretty healthy but I’m worried it will not live for much longer. I live in New York where the temperature is not consistent so I do not have much control over the temperature to keep them as. I have little to no knowledge of orchids and many other plants. What should I do?
Hi Zoe, Thanks for your question. My suggestions would be as follows:
– water your orchid sparingly (about once per week) but do not let the roots sit in water (so ensure there is no water collected at the bottom of the pot).
– enjoy the flowers while they last – which could be from 1-3 months depending on the temperature inside your home.
– once flowering has finished cut the stalk at the base and feed with an orchid fertilser to promote new future growth. There is an easy one to use called Orchid Myst. Many people like this product because you just spray it on the leaves and roots for an ongoing healthy orchid.
– if you would like to read more about orchids I would recommend The Orchid Whisperer book.
Best of luck with your orchid. 🙂