Orchids are often seen as the divas of the houseplant world, beautiful, elegant, and sometimes a little misunderstood. If you’ve ever brought one home only to watch it wilt, drop its flowers, or refuse to bloom again, you’re not alone. The truth is, orchids (especially the popular Phalaenopsis) aren’t actually all that difficult plants to care for, they just come from environments that don’t quite match the average UK home. Phalaenopsis orchids originate in the warm, humid forests of Southeast Asia, where they grow clinging to trees under dappled light, with their roots exposed to free flowing air and frequent showers. Compare that to a centrally heated UK home, dry air, low winter light, and tap water trapped in decorative pots and it’s easy to see why these plants can struggle.

With a few small adjustments to light, humidity, and care, your orchid can thrive indoors and reward you with flowers year after year.

Light Levels

In their native forests, Phalaenopsis orchids enjoy bright but filtered light, shielded from direct sun by the canopy above. In a UK home, they’re often placed on windowsills where light is either too weak in winter or too harsh in summer. The fix? Place them in a bright west-facing room or on the southern wall of a room, but not right up against the glass. A sheer curtain or being set back slightly from the window will mimic that dappled light.

Temperature & Drafts

Orchids are used to stable, warm conditions, rarely exposed to sudden temperature swings. In contrast, UK homes have radiators blasting dry heat in winter and cold draughts from old windows. Try to give your orchid a spot with consistent room temperature, away from radiators, fireplaces, or open doors.

Humidity

In the tropics, orchids thrive in air that’s naturally humid, often above 60%. Indoors in the UK, central heating drops humidity to desert-like levels, leaving orchids parched. To bridge the gap, set your orchid on a tray filled with pebbles and water, group it with other plants, or occasionally mist around it (avoiding the flowers). Bathrooms and kitchens, where steam and moisture are naturally higher, can also make excellent homes for orchids if there’s enough light.

Watering

Growing on tree bark in the wild, orchid roots have evolved to get wet, then dry quickly, with rainwater dripping away freely. In the UK, orchids are often left sitting in tap water trapped at the bottom of decorative pots, leading to root rot. Instead, water sparingly with rainwater or filtered water, always letting excess drain away. A reliable approach is the dunking method: gently submerge the orchid’s roots (avoiding the leaves and flowers) in water for a few minutes, then lift it out and allow all excess water to drain fully before returning it to its pot. Clear pots make this even easier, because when roots turn grey or silvery, it’s the plant’s way of telling you it’s time to water.

Potting & Root Health

In nature, orchid roots are exposed to air and light, clinging to bark with plenty of airflow. In UK homes, they’re often smothered in old compost or packed tightly into pots that block air. Repot every 1–2 years with fresh orchid bark in a clear pot so you can check root health. Healthy roots should look plump and green after watering.

To Summarise: How to Keep Orchids Healthy Indoors

Light – Place orchids in a bright room, ideally west-facing or on the southern wall, but set back slightly from the window or behind a sheer curtain.
Temperature – Keep them in a stable, warm spot away from radiators, fireplaces, and draughty windows or doors.
Humidity – Increase moisture in the air with a pebble tray, grouping plants, or light misting. If light allows, try placing orchids in a naturally humid room such as a bathroom or kitchen.
Watering – Use rainwater or filtered water and water with the dunking method: submerge roots for a few minutes, then let all excess water drain away. Look for clues, when the roots have turned grey or silvery its a the sign that it’s time to water.
Potting – Repot every 1–2 years with fresh orchid bark in a clear pot to keep roots healthy and visible.

Designed for Orchids, Made for Your Home – The Orla Orchid Planter

Caring for orchids indoors is about recreating just enough of their natural environment to keep them healthy and blooming year after year. That’s why we designed Orla: a planter made specifically for orchids. Its clear, double-walled glass design combines beauty with function — the inner planter drains freely while the outer vase collects excess water, creating a gentle pocket of humidity around the roots.

The transparency makes it easy to see when your orchid needs watering, while the wide opening gives aerial roots space to grow naturally. Orla can be placed on a surface, wall-mounted, or hung, and its Scandinavian–Japanese inspired form keeps the focus on the orchid’s beauty rather than the pot.

Pair it with our Mini-Snips for precise trimming of spent spikes, and you’ll have everything you need to help orchids flourish indoors.

Designed in Cornwall and crafted with care, Orla reflects our ethos at Frond of combining thoughtful design with simple plant care.

Orchid Problem-Solving Guide

Symptom	Likely Cause	What to Do
Wrinkled or limp leaves	Roots not absorbing water (rot or dryness)	Check roots in a clear pot, trim damaged ones, repot in fresh bark, water sparingly.
Yellowing leaves	Natural ageing (lower leaves) OR too much direct sunlight	Remove only if leaves fall away easily. If upper leaves yellow, move plant to filtered light.
Black, mushy roots	Overwatering or standing water in decorative pot	Cut away damaged roots, repot in fresh bark, and use a pot with good drainage.
Dry, silvery roots	Underwatering or very low humidity	Submerge roots for a few minutes, let excess water drain. Increase humidity.
No new blooms	Lack of light, feeding, or rest period not met	Place in brighter position, feed with orchid fertiliser, trim spent spike above a node.
Buds drop before opening	Sudden temperature changes, drafts, or low humidity	Keep away from radiators or draughts. Increase humidity.
Spots on leaves/flowers	Over-misting, fungal issues, or water sitting on leaves	Avoid misting flowers directly. Water roots in the morning so leaves dry quickly.

Written by Joe Allam
Industrial Designer and Founder of Frond, Cornwall

Why Orchids Struggle Indoors (and How to Help Them Thrive)