When Should Orchids Be Replanted?

Orchid plants need repotting when they start to grow over the edge of their pot. This can be due to two main factors: potting mix breakdown, often accompanied by dead roots, or the plant’s root system is not functioning properly. To avoid losing the plant, orchids should be repotted soon after purchase and every year or two after that. The ideal time to repot an orchid is right after it finishes flowering, when new growth starts to appear.

To repot an orchid, look for new growth as your cue to repot, then select a pot based on the orchid’s root volume and growing environment. Repotting should occur yearly or every other year, as needed by the plant, or when you first receive the plant. If the orchid is potted, it should be repotted when brought home.

Orchid care basics include knowing when to repot your orchids, which is critical for maintaining their optimum health. Orchids generally need to be repotted once a year, with the best time to repot being just after flowering or when new growth appears. The size of the pot chosen depends on the growth rate of the orchid and the size of the clump and root mass.

The typical advice is to repot an orchid after blooming or if you see clear signs of something being wrong with the root system or the plant in general. To repot an orchid, start by looking for new growth, select a pot based on the orchid’s root volume, and ensure the plant is undergoing vegetative growth (growing new leaves and roots) like yours is currently.