Growing Orchids in Water – the Easy Solution for Healthy, Well-Hydrated Plants
Watering orchids the right way can be a bit confusing, especially for beginners. But growing orchids in water simplifies the process. Here's how to do it.
Melanie Griffiths
Article summary: Growing orchids in water is a hydroponic alternative to traditional bark or moss potting mixes. Known as water culture, the method can help prevent root rot, improve airflow to aerial roots, and support healthier growth, particularly for orchids struggling in conventional potting media. Orchids are usually rotated between soaking and drying rather than left permanently submerged, which better mimics their natural epiphytic growing conditions.
Take your houseplant collection to new heights by growing orchids in water. The plants' exotic flowers and characterful roots make them the perfect display piece.
Widely known as water culture orchids, or hydroponic orchids, even a novice grower can cultivate these plants with ease. All this simple technique requires is an appropriate container, water, sterile tools, and a little patience.
Article continues belowOrchid care can be tricky to perfect in the home environment. Beginner growers often struggle to make orchids bloom and to look after their aerial roots. Yet, when done correctly, growing orchids in water can improve the health of ailing plants. Follow the simple tutorial below and have fun growing orchids in water.
Benefits of Growing Orchids in Water
Different types of orchids have their own growing preferences, but most thrive in a good orchid potting medium made from bark, like this one from Miracle-Gro, available at Home Depot.
However, if that potting mix is too soggy or becomes infected with harmful pathogens, it can cause health deterioration and common orchid problems such as root rot and leaf spots.
Orchids bought from a nursery may have their roots wrapped in sphagnum moss. This is good at keeping the roots moist, but bad at letting them dry and it can also harbor diseases.
Though it seems contradictory, growing orchids in water can offer a solution to plants suffering from too much moisture.
Water culture orchids are not necessarily left constantly submerged in water. They are usually rotated between wet and dry. For example, two days of soaking in water and five days of drying out. This pattern more closely mimics the plant's experience in the wild and lets roots breathe.
Many orchids are epiphytic, which means they grow on the surface of other plants such as trees. They take most of their moisture and nutrients from the air and surrounding water and debris. This means the moisture is consistent in most cases, but never excessive or boggy.
Growing orchids in water provides the plant with a cultural situation that allows just enough moisture during the soaking and then allows the orchid's aerial roots to dry to prevent pathogens.
How to Grow Orchids in Water
To create a water culture orchid, simply unpot the plant, remove any excess growing media – including moss and bark bits – and gently tease out the roots from their tightly tangled mass. Rinse the roots well. Then, using sterile pruners like these highly rated pruners from Amazon, gently cut away any discolored or rotten material.
Leave the orchid to dry out for a day or two to allow the pruning cuts to heal before submerging your plant in water.
Repot your orchid in any container with enough room for roots to grow. However, it's best to use glass so you can observe the progress of your plant. The container doesn't need to be very deep, but high curved sides can help support your orchid and keep it from flopping over. This set of hydroponic glass vases from Amazon is a great option.
Many hydroponic orchid growers add clay pebbles to the bottom of the container to help support roots and raise the crown from the moisture to prevent rot. Amazon carries several brands of clay pebbles.
Finally, add water – but don't just fill it straight from the tap. Some municipalities treat their water, so it is laden with chemicals that can be quite toxic to orchids. A better route is to use rainwater or distilled water on your plants. It is important to use tepid water to avoid shocking the plant.
How Long Can Orchids Grow in Water?
Some growers leave their orchids constantly submerged in water with weekly or biweekly water changes. Others swear by soaking an orchid for two days and then allowing it to dry for five days. But you can do it either way.
Observe your plant for cues on its continued growth and health. If your orchid looks like it's dying, then experiment with altering the wet and dry rotation. If the orchid still continues to deteriorate, consider repotting in a traditional bark orchid potting mix.
How to Fertilize Orchids in Water
Fertilize orchids growing in water during a regular water change. It's important to change the orchid's water regularly – ideally weekly. Use a specialist orchid fertilizer diluted to a quarter of the recommended strength, and apply it to the water weekly. We recommend this Espoma orchid fertilizer, available at Walmart.
If your orchid does not bloom regularly, then fertilize the water with kelp once per month instead of its regular feed.
What You Need to Get Growing
This elegant glass vase only costs $10 and is the perfect size and shape for growing orchids in water. Plus, there are four pretty colors to choose from!
Add an elegant natural element to your orchid vases with these polished white pebbles. They'll help hold your water vessels steady and prevent spills, too.
Make sure your orchids are bursting with blooms by feeding them with this organic fertilizer.
Melanie has worked in homes and gardens media for two decades. Having previously served as Editor on Period Living magazine, and worked on Homes & Gardens, Gardening Etc, Real Homes, and Homebuilding & Renovating. An experienced gardener, Melanie has spent the last few years transforming her own yard. She is also a keen home grower, having experimented with pretty much every type of vegetable at some point. In addition, she is a proud houseplant parent and grows a variety of orchids.
