How to repot an orchid - a step-by-step guide

Orchids are some of the most elegant plants around. And although they can live for up to twenty years if properly cared for, you need to know how to repot an orchid to enjoy its blooms year after year. After all, orchids can grow out of their pots quickly.

Watering, room temperature and light levels are essential caring for an orchidbut you also need to monitor its growth. And while pruning orchids can increase flowering, repotting is the only way to ensure that your plant continuously gets the space and nutrients it needs to grow. If this is not the case, the roots may start to grow out of the container, or the plant may become completely root-bound.

However, repotting houseplants can be a tricky process and can be very stressful for the plant. That’s why we reached out to experts to make sure you know how to repot an orchid without killing it. And luckily it’s easier than you might think.

What you need

IWTTWY Clear orchid pot, 8 pieces plastic plant pots

Burgon & Ball Orchid 15.5mm stainless steel scissors

Growth technology Orchid Focus Repotting mix

Step by step

1. Choose the right moment

Knowing when repotting houseplants is importantbecause choosing the wrong time can result in damage, disease or even death of your plant. And if you want to know how to repot an orchid, you need to follow the same rules.

Experts recommend repotting an orchid as soon as you get it home because it is often planted in pots that are much too small for proper growth. You’ll then need to repot them every few years to keep them in top shape throughout their lives longer than you might think.

Morris Hankinson, CEO of Hopes Grove Nurseriesexplains: ‘Orchids are grown in potting soil that is thicker than regular potting soil and breaks down over a few years. This can affect the health of your plant, but can be prevented by repotting into the new soil. It will vary by soil and plant, but you should consider repotting every 2-3 years.”

However, only do this after the flowering period has ended to avoid future problems. Because of this, the best time to repot an orchid is late spring or early summer.

Two orchids in pots sit in front of a decorative glass window

(Image credit: Future/Rachael Smith)

Morris Hankinson

Morris Hankinson is the founder and director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, the UK’s only specialist nursery-retailer of hedge plants. He founded the thriving business in 1992, shortly after graduating with a degree in commercial horticulture from Writtle College, Essex.

2. Pull the orchid out of the pot

To repot an orchid, you need to move it from one pot to another – and this means pulling gently. However, be careful when removing the orchid from the pot as you want to avoid removing any leaves.

Instead, grab the plant as close to the ground as possible and pull in that direction. With a gentle tug it should come out of the pot quickly. If not, you may need to try another method.

Root-bound orchids don’t come out of the pot very easily, so you may have to take scissors and cut them from the plastic container. You can then loosen the root ball and shake off the excess potting mixture before moving on to the next step.

3. Cut off dead or diseased roots

Without the pot or potting mix getting in the way, you should be able to inspect the root ball of your orchid plant. And you may notice that some roots stand out from the crowd.

Brown, shriveled roots are likely dead or diseased, so you can take the opportunity to cut them off with pruning shears. Doing this will ensure that you are repotting an orchid in its healthiest form.

Just remember that sharpen your pruning shears And clean your garden tools before you do this.

White orchid and bathroom toiletries on the windowsill in a bathroom

(Image credit: Future/Sussie Bell)

4. Plant in a new pot

You can repot your orchid when you are happy that you have removed the dead roots. If your orchid has grown its pot, you should try repotting your orchid in a pot that has at least 1-2 inches larger than the original. However, if your orchid is particularly root-bound, you may need to choose something larger.

However, this is not always necessary. Morris says, ‘If you don’t have to damage the pot to get the plant out and if your plant still has plenty of room to grow, you can repot in the same pot. Make sure you wash it first!’

Whichever option you choose, you should also make sure that the base of your orchid’s leaves is just below the rim of your new pot, so double-check this before adding any potting soil.

5. Fill with fresh potting soil

When repotting an orchid, always use fresh potting soil so that your plant has the best chance of survival. Fill the jar as tightly as possible.

Graham Smith MCIHort, a gardening expert LBS Horticulturesays: ‘Place the orchid in the center of the pot and fill the root ball around with orchid compost, taking care not to leave any holes.’

Because the orchid potting mix is bark-based, large pieces of bark can get stuck together and create holes. So you can eliminate these holes by tapping the pot on the table and pressing firmly until all the roots are completely covered.

White room with yellow dresser, pink orchid, basket storage and plant

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

6. Water your freshly repotted orchid

Once that’s done, you can do that water your orchid before placing it back in the house – a location with bright, indirect sunlight.

For this first water repotting after repotting, you may want to place a saucer under the pot if you don’t already have one. When the water reaches the saucer, you can stop pouring and let the excess water run down the drain as you don’t want to overwater it.

Then you have successfully repotted an orchid! Just take care of it as usual (you can even use the potato hack if you want) and put this task on your calendar for two or three years.

Frequently asked questions

Do you bury aerial roots when repotting orchids?

If you repot an orchid with aerial roots, you should not bury it. Aerial roots are different from the roots at the base of your plant, and their job is to absorb moisture and oxygen from the air. That’s why you have to let them do what they were designed to do.

Burying aerial roots when repotting orchids can actually cause damage to the plant, and it may struggle as a result.

Is it better to repot orchids wet or dry?

Although some people say that repotting orchids when they are wet keeps the roots supple, this also makes them susceptible to root rot. Therefore, it is better to repot orchids dry so that you can control the amount of moisture they are exposed to.

So if you plan to repot your orchid, do so about a week after watering to allow the plant to dry out. When you have finished repotting, you can water it well.

What happens if I don’t repot my orchid?

If you do not repot your orchid, the roots will outgrow the container and your plant is likely to become root bound. If you leave it too long, your orchid will die.

This is because root-bound plants have trouble getting all the water and nutrients they need to survive and will often succumb to disease and rot. As time passes, the orchid potting mix also loses all its nutrients.

Graham Smith from LBS Horticulture adds: ‘Over the years their compost mixture, which can consist of bark chips and moss, will start to break down and become more compact. When the compost is compacted, drainage in the soil is reduced.’

That’s why it’s so important to repot your orchid every few years.