One of the best things you can do for your orchid is to make sure it is planted in the right pot.
Most plants are not sensitive to the type of pot or container they may be placed in.
But orchids are no ordinary plants and require special care and treatment, even when it comes to choosing the best pot or container to plant your orchid in.
Orchids are extremely sensitive to their environments. Healthy orchids require proper lighting, watering techniques, soil, air quality, and it is even important to consider the pots you use to plant your orchid.
The type of pots and containers you use for your orchid is important to consider, especially if you are struggling to keep your orchid alive and healthy.
Table of Contents
When purchasing pots and containers for your orchid, you should ask yourself:
- What is the best environment for your orchid?
- Are there holes throughout the pot or consenter?
- Does the pot allow for good water movement throughout your orchid?
- What kind of material is the pot made out of?
- Does the pot contain any harmful chemicals?
- Is the pot transparent enough to allow lots of sunlight?
These are just a few of the important questions you should consider when you purchase an orchid or are looking to replant one.
Throughout this post, we will cover everything you need to know when find the best pots and containers for your orchid plant and common questions and concerns that arise.
Before diving into specifics about pots and containers for orchids, you should know basic information in general about orchids. If you do not know basic facts and information on how to care for your orchid, then it will not matter what type of pot you plant your orchid in.
In the next section you will find information regarding the best environments for your plant, the origins of orchids, and placement of orchids in your home. Knowing this information will set you on the right path for planting and caring for your orchid.
What Is The Best Environment For Your Orchid?
Growing orchids in your home can be a challenging task. This is because orchids are ultra-sensitive to the environments that they may be placed in.
Without proper lighting, soil, air quality, and watering, your orchid may not grow the way it should, may not bloom, and in some cases may die if you do not take these factors seriously.
Where Are Orchids Naturally Found?
Orchids in nature typically are found in environments that are tropic-like, such as regions found throughout South America and parts of Asia.
Orchids like hot and humid weather, usually thriving in temperatures that reach at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit and areas that get 12 to 14 hours of sunlight per day. These areas also do not receive large amounts of rain.
There are thousands of different species of orchids found throughout the world, with most being found growing at the base of trees.
Most orchids will only grow in soil that is composed of bark or moss, hence why these plants will be found at the base of tree. There are other species of orchids that may grow in rocky regions and even near the edges of sea-regions.
Where You Should Place Your Orchid In Your Home
Knowing the origins of orchid plants is important especially if you plan on caring for one of these plants within your home.
When you bring a new orchid plant into your home you want to make sure you place it in a well-lit area, preferably near a window, and make sure the air quality around you is good and humid.
You also want to make sure that the plant is in an area that is 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
You also want to check the pot and soil of your plant. Most orchids that you can purchase from stores are already pre-planted in a pot.
You want to make sure that your orchid has the proper amount of soil (either moss or bark), determine if the plant needs to be watered, and check to make sure your plant is in the best pot it can be in.
Why Origin, Environment, And Placement Of Your Orchid Matters
Knowing the basic facts about where orchids come from, the types of environments they thrive in, and where you place them in your home plays a key role in the success you will have with your plants.
If you do not know the basic facts about your orchid, then it will not matter the type of pot or container you place your orchid in because again, orchids are very sensitive when it comes to caring for these plants.
If your orchid is not in the proper climate, sunlight, humidity, or plotted in the right type of soil then your orchid will suffer and eventually die.
Best Type Of Pots For Your Orchid
Now that you know the basics about orchids, it is time to discuss the best types of pots you should plant your orchid in.
When finding the best pots and containers for your orchid you will want to:
- Make sure you have a pot or container that is big enough for your orchid
The size of the orchid will determine the size of the pot or container that you will need
- Find pots and containers that have holes or slits in them
Having holes in your orchid pot will prevent water from pooling in your plant
- Use pots and containers that are free of plastic and other harmful chemicals
You want to pay attention to the material that the pot or container you use for your orchid is made out of. Plastic contains harmful chemicals, along with pots that are ceramic coated.
- Find pots that are made out of clay, wood or glass
Clay and wood pots are free of harmful chemicals. You want to make sure that they have no sort of paint on them. The beauty of your orchid will be enough to make any pot look pretty.
Clay and wood are also easy to drill holes or cut slits into for better water flow.
Glass pots are good options to consider when planting your orchid. Glass pots allow for lots of transparency, meaning your plant can absorb lots of sunlight (orchids require a lot of sunlight each day).
Glass pots may be best to use if you live in areas where there are short periods of sunlight.
Glass or transparent pots will allow your plant to absorb more light during the day that other kinds of materials.
The Size Of The Pot You Should Use Based On Your Orchid
Having a pot or container that is the right size for your orchid is important if you want a healthy, thriving plant.
The size of your pot also influences your orchid when you water it. If an orchid is not placed in a pot that is the right size for the size of the plant, then you risk potentially overwatering or under-watering your orchid.
Most pots that are designed for orchids come in 4 inches, 5 inches, or 6 inches in diameter.
Most orchids, especially Phalaenopisis orchid, may vary in size.
Sometimes you can purchase orchids that are miniature versions of full-sized, mature orchids. Miniature orchids will only require 4in. pots to begin with.
You should replant your orchid every year and increase the size of your pot each time you do so. If your orchid is healthy and growing properly, then you will have to increase the size of your pot by 1in. each time you re-pot it.
Most mature orchid plants only require 6in. pots once they reach full maturity. Orchids that most people buy in stores already come in 6in. pots.
If you notice your orchid is on the small side, then you may want to consider moving it into a smaller pot, perhaps a 4 or 5in one.
If you notice your orchid is getting too big for a pot and has roots starting to stick out then consider replanting it in a bigger size pot, but again, most orchids will not need a pot larger than 6 inches.
Why Holes And Slits Matter In Orchid Pots
Orchids are extremely sensitive when it comes to being watered and receiving proper air-flow throughout the plant.
Because of this, you should plant your orchids in a pot or container that has 4-6 holes or slits (potentially more if your pot is on the larger size) throughout it (including on the sides of the pot and the bottom).
It is absolutely essential that your pot or container has some sort of hole or slit throughout it to prevent damage or sickly orchid plants.
Issues With Pots That Have No Holes And The Health Of Orchid Plants
Pots that have no holes or slits risk a number of issues for your orchid including:
- water pooling on the bottom of your plant and even submerging the orchid in water
If your orchid sits in too much water, then this can severely harm the roots and eventually the leaves, and even your whole orchid to the point where it may die.
Roots will not be healthy if they are drenched and soaking wet. You want roots that are a bright-green color and feel waxy (almost candle-like).
I have had experiences in the past where I had no clue how much water my orchid should have and it was not in the proper pot. I watered my orchid like I would any other type of plant that I have in my house.
The plant pooled with water for a few days and quickly died there after–not my best, shining moment with orchids.
Always check your orchid pot or container after you water it to make sure the orchid has no water pooling.
- Risking poor air-flow and air movement throughout your orchid
Orchids need key gases in order to stay alive. Humans need oxygen to stay alive, and orchids on the other hand require not only oxygen, but carbon dioxide (for photosynthesis) to function.
If your orchid is in a pot that is too small, then it risks essentially suffocating.
It will not be receiving the proper amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide it needs to thrive or other key nutrients that air movement can bring.
If you think your orchid is receiving improper air-flow and movement then you could improve this flaw by not only repotting your plant in a larger pot, but also by placing a fan in the room in which your orchid is located–on a low setting (this helps create air movement throughout the room).
Why Pot And Container Materials Matter For Your Orchid
When purchasing a pot for your orchid, you should not use just any pot you find. You should pay attention to the materials that the pot you are interested in is made out of.
Pots that contain plastic will most likely have other harmful chemicals in them.
Common chemicals you should avoid when picking out the pot for your orchid are phthalates and ones that contain bisphenol.
These chemicals can end up in the water that your orchid is absorbing. Once the orchid absorbs the chemicals it can become extremely sick and die.
Therefore, you should at all costs avoid pots and containers that are made of plastic all or find ones that are free of phthalates and bisphenol.
You should also avoid pots or containers that may be coated in ceramic glazes.
Ceramic glazes are toxic to orchids, and just like other chemicals, these toxicities can end up in the water your orchid is absorbing and become sick.
Clay And Wood: The Best Kind Of Pots For Your Orchid
If you want an orchid that will be at its healthiest, you should consider buying pots and containers that are made out of clay or wood.
Clay and wood pots do not have any harmful chemicals in them like plastic or ceramic-glazed ones do. Therefore you won’t have to worry about toxicity issues with your orchid.
Clay and wood pots are also the easiest to make changes to.
A lot of pots that you purchase orchids in are ceramic-glass and do not have any holes or slits in them and it is a very hard task to cut these kinds of materials.
Clay and wood on the other hand, are much easier to either drill holes into or cut slits on the edges (again you should have 4-6 holes or slits on your pot depending on the size of your orchid).
You can even use wooden picnic baskets or hanging baskets to place your orchids in.
Best Pots And Containers To Plant Your Orchid In: Summarized
By now you have learned some of the most important things you can know when it comes to choosing the right pot for your orchid.
When choosing a pot or container you should consider the following:
- The environments orchids thrive best in (base of trees in tropical weather)
- Where orchids come from
- The best areas you can place your orchid in your home
- The size of your orchid in relation to your pot (most orchids should be planted in pots between 4 to 6 inches in diameter)
- Whether your pot has holes or slits (they should have anywhere between 4-6 depending on the size of the pot)
- What happens if your pot has no holes (water may pool or there may be poor air movement, factors that are detrimental for orchids)
- The material of the pot you are using (clay, wood, or glass pots and containers are your best options to use)
I hope this post has helped you learn more information about selecting proper pots and containers for your orchid. Thank you for reading! If you have any other questions please leave a comment below!
Comments are closed.