{"id":5874,"date":"2026-01-12T02:19:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T10:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-moth-orchids-phalaenopsis\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T02:19:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T10:19:48","slug":"how-to-grow-and-care-for-moth-orchids-phalaenopsis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-moth-orchids-phalaenopsis\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow and Care for Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Temperature<\/h3>\n

When it comes to temperature, aim for a warm environment during the day, with 80\u00b0F being ideal.<\/p>\n

It can be about 15 degrees cooler at night, but that\u2019s not necessary. They can survive brief periods with temperatures dipping down into the mid 30s, but try to avoid that.<\/p>\n

Give your phal really good air circulation, and don\u2019t put it in a closed spot.<\/p>\n

Fertilizing<\/h3>\n

Feeding your Phalaenopsis<\/em> requires understanding what part of the growing phase your plants are in.<\/p>\n

You must feed to encourage new blossoms and you should support them during their long flowering phase.<\/p>\n

The problem is that most people buy these plants while they\u2019re blooming. Commercial growers encourage them to bloom outside their normal phase to encourage sales.<\/p>\n

For that reason, I find it\u2019s best to lay off the fertilizer for at least a month.<\/p>\n

It won\u2019t hurt to underfeed for a short period, but overfeeding can lead to some problems<\/strong><\/a> that can be a challenge to remediate.<\/p>\n

After the first month, feed plants monthly with a diluted or extremely mild fertilizer when in bloom.<\/p>\n

Increase applications to feed every two weeks when the plant isn\u2019t blooming.<\/p>\n

Dr. Earth\u2019s Pump & Grow fertilizer is an excellent option.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Earth Pump & Grow Fertilizer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s mild enough for regular use and balanced to give your plants the nutrients they need. Bring home a 16-ounce bottle from Arbico Organics<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Find more tips on how to feed your plants here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Species and Cultivars<\/h2>\n

Many times, these plants will just be listed as generic moth or Phalaenopsis<\/em> orchids at grocery stores, big box stores, and nurseries.<\/p>\n

There are many, many hybrids and there are always new ones popping up. Some of the more common hybrids are bred by Mituo.<\/p>\n

Their Diamond series features flowers with some pretty striking patterns and colors.<\/p>\n

Amabilis<\/h3>\n

The beautiful moon orchid, as this species is often called, is one of the varieties most commonly found in stores.<\/p>\n

P. amabilis<\/em> flowers are typically white or nearly white.<\/p>\n

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Each blossom can be up to four inches across and there can be dozens on a single plant. Each of these lasts for weeks, and the plant continually sends out new flowers all summer long.<\/p>\n

The plants themselves can grow over three feet tall indoors with proper care.<\/p>\n

Amboinensis<\/h3>\n

This species is less common, but it\u2019s highly sought-after on the market.<\/p>\n

In their native habitat, P. amboinensis<\/em> plants are endangered, but there are lots of lovely hybrids out there if you\u2019re willing to do the work of finding them.<\/p>\n

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Most feature flowers with some combination of yellow, red, brown, or white petals. They\u2019re also highly fragrant with a strong floral scent.<\/p>\n

Plants can reach about a foot tall and each one can support multiple flowering stems at a time.<\/p>\n

Aphrodite<\/h3>\n

This species has small white flowers, but there are some hybrids that feature pink splotches or ones with entirely pink petals.<\/p>\n

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Easily mistaken for P. amabilis<\/em>, P. aphrodite<\/em> flowers are about an inch smaller and pinkish-red at the base of the central petal. The plants are smaller overall, too.<\/p>\n

Mannii<\/h3>\n

This species likes to do its best impression of a swarm of bees, with petite yellow and brown blossoms on plants that stay under a foot tall.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re looking for a miniature specimen, see if you can find P. mannii<\/em> \u2018Black.\u2019<\/p>\n

It has tiny, bright yellow and brown flowers with dark black spots. They really look like bumblebees hovering around the tiny, six-inch-tall plant.<\/p>\n

Schilleriana<\/h3>\n

Along with P. amabilis<\/em>, this species represents some of the most popular flowers on the market.<\/p>\n

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P. schilleriana<\/em> is super tolerant, doesn\u2019t mind low light or some direct morning sun, and won\u2019t collapse in a heap if you aren\u2019t the best at watering.<\/p>\n

The plants can be covered in dozens of small flowers in colors like white, pink, and lilac. They can grow up to three feet tall.<\/p>\n

Maintenance<\/h2>\n

Orchids aren\u2019t the most attractive plants when the flowers fade.<\/p>\n

Snipping off that flower stalk<\/strong><\/a> can go a long way toward improving the appearance and it encourages reblooming.<\/p>\n

Take a clean pair of scissors and snip the flower stalk as close to the base as you can.<\/p>\n

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You should repot<\/strong><\/a> once every year or two, but you don\u2019t necessarily need to increase the pot size.<\/p>\n

This job should be done in the early summer after the blossoms have faded<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest challenges of orchid growing is to take a plant that has stopped blooming and encourage it to bloom again.<\/p>\n

Provide about 15 degrees of difference in temperature from day to night. Temporarily aim to provide slightly cooler conditions than the usual.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n