Moth orchid care: light, water, and pet safety

Phalaenopsis

Care table

Light	Medium light to bright indirect light. Bright indirect. An east window is ideal.
Water	Let half the pot dry. Water when the top half of the pot is dry.
Humidity	Prefers 40 to 50 percent or more
Repotting	Every 1 to 2 years after flowering, in fresh orchid bark, when the bark breaks down.

Winter care

Water when the bark looks pale and the pot feels light, often every 10 to 14 days. A 10 to 15 F drop at night in fall helps trigger a flower spike.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Phalaenopsis Orchid

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Wrinkled, limp leaves: Root rot or underwatering. Check the roots: firm and green or silver is healthy.
No new flower spike: Not enough light or no cooler nights in fall.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool