A Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting Orchids (with Expert Tips)

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Plant specialist Harmony Corelitz explains when & how to repot an orchid

Co-authored by Harmony Corelitz and Devin McSween

Last Updated: March 31, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Repotting an Orchid
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• When to Repot
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• Signs You Need to Repot
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• Orchid Care
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips
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• Things You'll Need

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There's something magical about orchids, don't you think? Their elegant necks and brilliant petals are fitting for an ancient forest habitat, and yet they thrive in a home environment with little upkeep. Repotting orchids helps keep them healthy, but if you’re not sure how to do it or when you might need to, we’re here to help! We partnered with several plant specialists to go over the repotting process, explain how often you should repot your orchid, and signs it might be ready for a repot. Plus, our experts provided tips for caring for your plant. Keep on reading to learn more!

Repotting Orchids for Beginners

Plant specialist Harmony Corelitz suggests repotting your orchid each year. Wait until it finishes blooming and remove it from its pot. Prune off any roots that are mushy, dry, or damaged and place the orchid in a clean pot with drainage holes. Cover the roots with bark or sphagnum moss and water the plant thoroughly.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Repotting an Orchid

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1. 
   1
   Remove the orchid from its old pot. Carefully tip the pot on its side or upside down while covering the base of the orchid with your hand to get it to gently slide out of the pot. If the roots are stuck to the pot, squeeze the sides of the pot to help loosen them, or run a sterilized knife around the inside of the pot.

   • If the orchid is very rootbound, simply use scissors to cut open the pot.
   • Sterilize any tools you use by wiping them with rubbing alcohol. It's important to use very clean equipment because orchids are prone to getting diseases.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Harmony Corelitz is a plant specialist who specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design.

   Lindsey Swett is a plant specialist and the owner of Niche Plant Shop in Boston, MA, with over 10 years of experience.

   Rachel Guffey is a plant specialist and owner of Jungle House in Lawrence, KS, who specializes in plant education and indoor plants.
2. 2
   Clean off the old potting mix and untangle the roots. Use your fingers to carefully pick out the old potting mix that’s stuck to the orchid’s roots. Then, rinse off the roots with water to remove any stubborn potting mix (either hold the roots under running water or place the roots in a bowl of water). Untangle the roots carefully by easing them apart with your fingers.
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3. 3
   Prune away any dying or damaged roots. Inspect the roots for any signs of root rot, says plant specialist Lindsey Swett. Rotten roots look black and feel mushy, while roots that are developing rot are typically covered in a bright white fuzz. Simply take a pair of sterilized scissors or pruners and cut back the damaged roots to where they appear healthy again. Then, cut off any wiry or hollow roots, as they are likely dead.

   • To tell if the roots are healthy or not, give them a gentle squeeze. Healthy roots feel firm and solid, while dead roots feel dry and papery. Healthy roots also typically look a greenish-white color (though they can also look a rich brown color).
   • Take this opportunity to remove any damaged or dying leaves and stalks, too.
4. 
   4
   Get a clean pot with drainage holes that’s 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) larger. Ensure the pot you choose has a lot of holes on the side and bottom for aeration, says Corelitz. If your orchid needs more space, she only suggests repotting it into a pot that’s about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) larger in diameter than the existing pot. If your orchid hasn’t outgrown its pot, though, simply reuse the same pot it was in.

   • Ensure the pot is clean and sterilized before putting your orchid inside, as this helps prevent disease. Simply scrub the pot with soap and water, then soak it in a bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water) for 10 minutes.
   • Some great pot options include: plastic orchid pots, terra cotta orchid pots, and ceramic orchid pots. If you opt for a plastic pot, feel free to slip it inside a more decorative pot.
   • Note: Some orchid species have roots that can photosynthesize. If you have a Phalaenopsis, consider getting a clear plastic pot to let the sunlight in.
   • As Corelitz explains, orchids like to stay very compact in the soil, as their structure is really held together by the roots. Plus, if you get a pot that’s too big, the orchid may concentrate its energy on growing roots, so you won't see as much flowering.
   • Aeration and drainage are super important for orchids because these plants are epiphytic, says Corelitz. In nature, most orchids grow on trees, so their roots gather nutrients from the air.
5. 
   5
   Place the orchid in its new pot. Ensure that the older growth goes toward the bottom of the pot, while the newer growth goes toward the sides; this gives it more room to spread out. Then, make sure that the top part of the root mass is at the same level it was in the previous pot. That means the new shoot should be above the surface of the pot, with most of the roots below the surface.

   • If the pot is a little too large or deep, line the bottom with bark or broken pieces of terracotta to help with drainage.
6. 
   6
   Press bark or sphagnum moss into the pot. Orchids aren't grown in actual soil, says Corelitz, as it causes the aerial roots to rot. Instead, they’re grown in bark or sphagnum moss (which provide proper aeration and drainage). Choose whichever medium you prefer, and scoop a small handful into the pot. Use your fingers or a pencil to gently press down the medium and tap the outside of the pot to help it settle down into the container. Keep adding medium and packing it down until the roots are covered and there are no air pockets.

   • The potting mix you choose is mostly personal preference, though they do have some pros and cons:
     • Bark: Bark provides great drainage and dries quickly, so your orchid is less likely to sit in standing water and get soggy roots. However, bark breaks down quickly.
     • Sphagnum moss: Moss holds onto moisture longer, so you tend to need to water your orchid less often. However, if you water too much, it can be more susceptible to soggy roots.
   • If you're not sure exactly what kind of orchid you have, a packaged potting mix for orchids is a safe bet for most epiphytic orchids. Alternatively, visit your local plant nursery or store for advice on what potting medium to use.
   • Press the medium down very gently so you don’t damage the roots, as they can easily snap under pressure.
   • Tip: Consider soaking the potting medium in hot water overnight to help it retain enough moisture to sustain the orchid. Just strain the mix through a strainer before you pot your orchid.
7. 
   7
   Make sure the plant is able to stand upright. Ensure the potting medium is firmly packed around the orchid so that it stands up straight without leaning to the side. If you want extra support, use clips to attach the stalk to a stake or the side of the pot so it doesn’t fall over or grow crookedly.

   • In general, the potting medium should be so tightly packed that if you pick up the orchid by its stalk, the pot comes with it.
8. 
   8
   Water your orchid thoroughly. Use tepid water to give your newly repotted orchid a good soaking. Ensure all of the potting medium gets moist, then allow the water to drain out of the pot completely. Simply set your orchid back in its original spot when you’re done!

   • If you have a saucer or drip tray under your pot, make sure to dispose of any water that drains out of the pot.
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Section 2 of 4:

When to Repot an Orchid

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1. 1
   Repot your orchid every year, once it’s done blooming. In general, aim to repot your orchid once per year to provide it with fresh potting mix, says Corelitz. Just avoid repotting the orchid while it’s budding or flowering: repotting it can stress it out and cause it to lose its buds or blooms.

   • Once your orchid is done flowering, wait until you see it start to put out new growth to repot it.
   • Blooming typically ends at the end of winter or early spring, though some orchid varieties bloom at different times of the year.
2. 2
   Repot new orchids after you get them. Many orchid owners recommend repotting orchids that you just bought (or were just given), as you don’t know if they are in the proper potting medium. Plus, some orchids come in improper containers (i.e., they don’t have drainage holes). So, it’s a good idea to repot orchids that are new to you.

   • Just wait to repot the orchid when it’s done flowering.
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Section 3 of 4:

Signs You Need to Repot an Orchid

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1. 1
   The potting medium is old and decomposing. As Corelitz explains, this is generally why you want to repot your orchid yearly: to keep the potting medium fresh. So if you notice that the bark or moss looks old and is breaking down, it’s definitely time to repot your plant.
2. 
   2
   The orchid’s roots are overgrowing the pot. It’s time to repot your orchid if the roots have completely overgrown the pot and are coming out of the holes on the sides or bottom, says Corelitz. This is a sign that the pot is too small for your orchid, so put it in a new pot that’s 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) bigger.
3. 3
   The orchid’s roots look mushy, damaged, or diseased. An important sign that you need to repot your orchid is if the roots turn soft and brown, says Corelitz. This can indicate that the roots are holding too much moisture. This can lead to root rot, so Swett recommends pruning off the damaged roots and putting the orchid in fresh potting medium.
4. 
   4
   Don't repot orchids unless you really need to. Being overzealous with orchid repotting can throw off the plant's growing cycle. An orchid should only be repotted if the above symptoms are evident. If it looks to be healthy and well contained in its current pot, put off repotting for another year. It's generally better for the orchid to get a little overcrowded than to be repotted too soon.
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Section 4 of 4:

Caring for a Repotted Orchid

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1. Give your orchid plenty of sun and regular waterings to keep it happy. After you repot your orchid, simply care for it as you did before. If you need a refresher, here are some orchid care tips from wikiHow’s plant experts:

   • Provide your orchid with bright filtered sun rather than direct sun, says Corelitz. She suggests keeping it 3 to 5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) away from a window.
   • Give your orchid frequent flushings with water, says plant specialist Rachel Guffey, where you ensure all of the roots are rinsed.
   • Ensure the potting medium completely dries out in between waterings, advises Corelitz.
   • Keep the humidity levels high wherever you keep your orchid, says Corelitz.
   • Give your orchid fertilizer when you water it in the spring and summer, says Guffey.
   • Prune your orchid after it flowers to help encourage new blooms to grow.

Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What size pot should I use for my orchid?

  

  Harmony Corelitz
  Plant Specialist

  Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.

  

  Harmony Corelitz

  Plant Specialist

  Expert Answer

  If you're going to repot an orchid, you should put it in a pot that's 1-2 inches wider in diameter than its existing grow pot. They like to stay very compact in the soil—their structure is really held together by the roots.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 11
• Question

  What type of pot should I use for my orchid?

  

  Harmony Corelitz
  Plant Specialist

  Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.

  

  Harmony Corelitz

  Plant Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Orchids need a lot of aeration and drainage, so it's best to choose a pot that has holes in the side.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 10
• Question

  Can I grow an orchid in potting soil?

  

  Harmony Corelitz
  Plant Specialist

  Harmony Corelitz is a Plant Specialist and the Ecommerce Manager at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, Inc, a boutiue offering rare plants, flower arragements, and handmade goods. Harmony grew up helping her parents run their family business in plant maintenance and interior plantscaping. Harmony specializes in indoor plant care and interior plant design. Prior to her workwith Crimson Horticultural Rarities, she started her pop-up plant and vintage home goods shop called Younger Child and helped her former employer, Plants and Friends, grow and expand to two locations. She holds a BA from the University of San Francisco.

  

  Harmony Corelitz

  Plant Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Orchids aren't typically grown in actual soil—they're going to be grown in sphagnum moss, a mix of bark, or orchid bark.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 13

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Tips

• Prepare your workspace by covering the area with newspaper or plastic.
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• Do not change the potting medium of your orchid on a whim. If you believe a different medium might be more advantageous for the plant, research it and wait for the proper time for repotting.
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Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Potting mixture (bark or sphagnum moss)
• Water
• Scissors, pruners, or a knife
• Plant clips and stake

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