How Do You Tell If An Orchid Is Dead?

Orchids go dormant between blooming periods to replenish nutrients lost during blooming, which is a normal part of an orchid’s lifecycle. The main signs that your orchid may be dead are if you notice brown and mushy leaves and roots, yellow leaves, falling off leaves, dark or bleach spots, and a resting orchid with dark green leaves.

To tell if your orchid is dead or dormant, look out for these tell-tale differences:

1. Crown and roots: If the crown, the part of the plant that connects the leaves and the roots, is brown and mushy (often due to overwatering), the orchid is likely dead. However, a healthy, resting orchid has roots that are green or white and plump or firm to the touch.

2. Flower and spike behavior: After flowering, it is normal for an orchid to drop its flowers and the spike might begin to yellow and die back. This is a natural process.

3. Dark, soft, or mushy crown: Orchids that have developed black or brown rotten spots on their leaves should be pruned. It is best to remove them as they can cause further damage to the plant.

4. Skipping a blooming season: Orchids go dormant between blooming periods to replenish nutrients lost during blooming. During this phase, their blooms fall off and only their bare stalks remain, leading many owners to believe that their plants may have died. To help your orchid revive, inspect the roots and crown, think about the cycle your plant is entering, and examine the environment. By addressing these warning signs, you can help your orchid return to its beautiful, healthy state.