Orchids are one of the most popular plants we sell at our Upper East Side shop — and one of the most misunderstood. The truth is, orchids are not difficult to care for once you understand what they actually need. The biggest mistake most people make is overwatering.

Light: bright but indirect. Orchids thrive in bright, indirect light — a north- or east-facing windowsill is ideal in a Manhattan apartment. Direct afternoon sun will scorch the leaves. If the leaves are dark green, the plant needs more light. Yellow-green leaves mean it's getting too much.

Watering: less is more. The most common cause of orchid death is overwatering. Water your orchid thoroughly once a week, then let the potting medium dry out almost completely before watering again. The easiest method: place the pot in a sink, run water through it for 30 seconds, then let it drain completely before returning it to its spot. Never let an orchid sit in standing water.

Humidity: NYC apartments are dry. Central heating in New York City apartments creates very dry air — not ideal for orchids, which prefer 50–70% humidity. A simple fix: place the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water. As the water evaporates, it raises the humidity around the plant without wetting the roots.

Feeding: fertilize lightly. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your orchid with a balanced orchid fertilizer diluted to half strength every two weeks. In fall and winter, reduce to once a month. Over-fertilizing is as harmful as under-fertilizing.

Re-blooming: patience and a temperature drop. After the blooms fall, cut the spike back to just above a node (the small bump on the stem). Move the plant to a slightly cooler spot — around 55–60°F at night — for four to six weeks. This temperature differential triggers the plant to set new buds. Once you see a new spike emerging, move it back to its regular spot.

Repotting: every one to two years. Orchid bark breaks down over time and stops draining properly. Repot into fresh orchid bark every one to two years, ideally just after blooming. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root ball — orchids like to be snug.

We carry phalaenopsis, cymbidium, and other orchid varieties at our shop at 1423 Lexington Ave. If you have questions about a specific plant, call us at (212) 828-3088 — we're happy to help.