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By Meredith Ethington

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Practical Tips

How to Keep An Indoor Orchid Alive For a Year Or More

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I don’t really have a green thumb. I try. I really do, but frequently kill living breathing things. Thankfully, not my kids.

So, when I discovered the secret to keeping an Orchid plant alive, I pretty much brag about it to anyone that looks my direction.

Me: “Did you know I kept my orchid plant alive for a year!?”
Cashier at Drive Thru: …
Me: “Dead serious.”
Cashier: Umm. Your total is 1.08.

Anyway, so I’m proud.
Follow this simple trick to keep your indoor orchids alive for longer!

Here’s how to keep an indoor orchid alive for a year (or more).

1. Water every week on the same day.
2. Fill up water to the rim of the pot (so it won’t drain) and set a timer for 5 minutes.
3. When your timer goes off, drain the water and you’re done!

That’s it. I tried the ice cube method, and singing to it, and giving it the thumbs up, but the only thing that really worked was this method. So, good luck. And, have fun buying an orchid without fear now. You can do it my friend.

And, here’s mine that has been in my window for a year. Just as proof that I actually can do it.

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I bought this orchid for Easter 2014. And, it’s still alive. Which pretty much makes me an expert, right?


17 Comments

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Comments

  1. jennifer groeber says

    April 13, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    You make it sound so doable, it’s almost tempting. Almost!
    (Nah. I know I’ll kill it. I’ll stick to kids and betta fish. Wait. Just kids. The betta fish froze when the heat went out.)
    Such a cute post! And congrats on that gorgeous flower. 😉

    Reply
  2. Jenny @ Unremarkable Files says

    April 14, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    It’s a better track record than me, so I will take your word for it.

    Reply
  3. Valerie says

    May 7, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Very clever! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  4. Robin says

    April 19, 2020 at 11:29 am

    Do you drain the orchids from the bottom?

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      April 19, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      Nope!Just let them sit for five minutes full of water then completely drain them.

      Reply
      • Courtney says

        May 1, 2020 at 8:48 am

        I’m confused. Lol sorry. Just fill the pot with water for 5 mins the pour the leftovers out? Or do u set the pot in water for 5 mins then take out?

        Reply
        • Meredith says

          May 1, 2020 at 6:57 pm

          Yes, just fill the pot up with water. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Then dump the water out.

          Reply
          • Kalli says

            May 9, 2021 at 5:28 pm

            Does the temperature of the water matter? And did you use sink water or bottled ?

          • Meredith says

            August 25, 2021 at 9:37 pm

            I use cold water straight from the tap.

  5. Patricia Smith says

    May 17, 2021 at 5:23 am

    Do you ever mist your orchid between watering it?

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      June 15, 2021 at 9:57 pm

      Nope!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tomas Bajza and His Exotic Miniature Orchids | ✿❀ Queensland Orchid International ❀✿ says:
    June 12, 2015 at 9:47 pm

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  2. Miniature Orchids Shared in the Queensland Orchid Society Facebook Page | ✿❀ Queensland Orchid International ❀✿ says:
    June 13, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    […] How to Keep An Indoor Orchid Alive For a Year Or More […]

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  3. An Intimate Parade of Miniature Orchids: Petite Beauty in Minute Detail | ✿❀ Queensland Orchid International ❀✿ says:
    June 30, 2015 at 2:26 am

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  4. Magnificent Orchid Specimens Shared in the Queensland Orchid Society Facebook Page | ✿❀ Queensland Orchid International ❀✿ says:
    August 1, 2015 at 12:48 am

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  5. How to Cultivate Cool-Growing Miniature Orchids in the Hot Zone | ✿❀ Queensland Orchid International ❀✿ says:
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Welcome! I’m Meredith.

Mom. Writer. Diet Coke connoisseur. Born and raised Texan. Lover of real talk and laughter with a hint of sarcasm mixed in.

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Meredith Ethington

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