Orchids are very much thought of as an exclusive plant, only for the rich. Now though, orchids are, although not cheap, more available to the general public than before. Orchids will always have six petals on its flower, which makes the plant very eye-catching. They can grow up to 10 feet in height, but most that are grown in the home stay around one to two feet tall.

When you buy an orchid, a hybrid breed orchid is recommended as these are much hardier, and will last longer than a purebred wild species. Phalaenopsis orchids are easier to grow than others, so this is a great starter plant for people who are orchid novices to try out. Most orchids like a small amount of water, and the soil around the roots to be kept mildly moist, but check the care label on the pot when you buy an orchid.

Because there are so many different breeds of orchids, I will describe how to grow the Phalaenopsis orchid, which is much easier to grow than most others. The Phalaenopsis orchid prefers indirect light in the shade. It should be kept at around 20 degrees Celsius at all times, although this can drop to about 15 at night. When potting it, use nitrogen rich compost and during growth use a nitrogen rich fertiliser. Every year while it’s not flowering, it’s advisable to change its soil and repot it. Use bark chippings for drainage at the bottom, as this helps to fertilise the soil as well.

All orchids are individual, so make sure you don’t throw away the label your plant came with. All different orchids need a different amount of light; so before you buy one, ensure your house can provide the light it needs.