It's no secret that orchids can be a little high-maintenance. And winter can be tough on your orchid plants. But don't let that scare you away! They can stay healthy and thrive even in the coldest season of the year with proper care and attention.

If you follow these simple tips, caring for your orchid in winter will be a breeze. So, what are you waiting for? Start reading to learn how to take care of your orchid during the colder months!

Give Your Orchid Enough Light

Rare orchid keiki or offshoot growing on a stem

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When it comes to orchids, remember that they need plenty of light. As the days get shorter in wintertime, your plant may struggle to get enough sunlight. To compensate, you can use grow lights on a timer so that your orchid gets the right amount of light it needs to produce healthy and beautiful blooms!

Watch Out for Sun Scorch

An orchid leaf is damaged by fungal disease or sunburn. Bacterial and fungal diseases affecting orchid leaf. Treatment of exotic tropical plants at home. Orchid diseases. Circles brown and gray

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If your orchid is on a widow sill, it’s vital to keep an eye on it for sun scorch. The light coming through the window may be brighter due to the sun being lower and the lack of foliage on the trees. Plus, snow reflects sun extremely well! So, monitor your plants regularly and make sure they're not getting too much intense sunlight.

If you notice their leaves starting to yellow or curl up, remove them from the window or put up a thin curtain to filter out some of the direct light. It will help protect your beloved greenery from any sunburn-induced damage.

Cut Back on Fertilizer 

Woman gives fertilizer to the flowers of the orchids. Houseplant care concept. Prevention of indoor plants

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As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, it's important to adjust your orchid feeding routine. During winter, orchids grow slower and need less water and fertilizer.

To keep your plants healthy, cut back on fertilizer to twice a month at half strength. This reduced feeding schedule will provide enough nutrients for your plants to thrive until spring!

Water Half as Much In The Winter

spraying orchid flower with pure water from a spray bottle

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In the winter, adjust watering routines to suit your plant's needs. Generally, water your orchids about half as much as you would in the summertime. 

It will provide a lower-moisture environment preventing root rot and other diseases. Also, monitor the moisture levels to ensure that your plants don't become too dry, especially during extended dry spells.

Don't Let Your Plants Touch The Window

White Orchid in a Vase

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While you may love having your orchid near the window for natural light, don’t put it too close! If your plant buds start falling off, one of the first things to look out for are drafty windows.

To avoid this, don't put your plants close enough to touch the glass. Instead, keep them slightly away from windows or use curtains as an extra layer of protection against cold damage.

Check the Humidity Level

Using a humidifier for orchids

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Orchids are tropical plants that need quite a bit of humidity to thrive. One way to provide them with enough humidity is to check the level of moisture in the air. You can do this with an inexpensive hygrometer, which will tell you how much relative humidity is present in your home. If it's below 60 to 75 percent, it's time to bring extra humidity for your orchids!

A great method for upping humidity in your home is setting your pots on trays filled with pebbles and water, but do not submerge their roots. Misting them frequently throughout the day can also work wonders for keeping their humidity levels up. Finally, you can invest in a humidifier and place it close to your prized plants.

Check for Pests and Diseases

Take care of household plants and flowers. Flower got yellow and dry at home. Orchid losing dead yellow leaves

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Lastly, check for any signs of pests and diseases at least once a month. While most insects won't bother an orchid unless it's severely stressed, it's still important to keep an eye out for any potential threats so you can address them quickly before they cause lasting damage.

In Summary

Caring for an orchid during winter doesn't have to be overly complicated. As long as you follow these seven simple tips, your orchid will stay healthy and thrive all winter long.

Give your orchid enough light, watch for sun scorch, cut fertilizer back to twice a month at half strength, water half as much in the winter, do not put plants close enough to a window to touch glass, check the humidity level and check for pests and diseases. By doing this, you'll be well on your way to having vibrant and beautiful orchids all year round.

Do you have any tips or tricks for taking care of your orchids over the winter? Leave a comment below!