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April 15, 2016 in Flower power· Unique Plants

Growing orchids in your bathroom

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
 
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I’m literally going potty for plants these days. Because I love how orchids look in the bathroom!
Place your orchid on the counter, shower shelf or even on the back of the toilet to jazz up your space. This is exotic elegance.
And let’s face it, I have so many plants (hello hibiscus and succulent addiction) that I’m running out of places to put them.

Besides, there’s actually a few really good reasons why the bathroom is the ideal spot to grow orchids. And here’s a few more tips to help you on your way. 

 
Try to be patient with orchids.

There’s an old saying that goes like this…”An orchid expert is one who has killed a thousand orchids.”

So I just bought a couple more orchids from Home Depot at $5 each. I certainly don’t intend to kill them…..but you know….it could happen. Meanwhile, I get to enjoy them while in bloom. Don’t they seem to stay in bloom forever?

You’ll easily pay $10 for each bloom corsage at a florist (and all they do is stick a pin on the back and add glitter….tacky!)

Last I counted, just one of my orchids had 20 blooms! 

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Top Orchid Growing Tips….

  • When in doubt, go drought
  • Whatever you do, do it before noon
  • Misting can result in more problems than benefits
 
  • Water once a week, more in summer and less in winter
 
  • Use temperate tap water – not from rock salt water softener – flush monthly
 
  • Fertilize weakly, weekly
 
  • If leaf is warm to the touch, it has too much light
 
  • Sun changes seasonally, arrange your plants accordingly
 
  • Good air movement and light are just as important as water and fertilizer 
**For very detailed orchid tips and advice, check out this post!**
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Water More When…

There is more light
There is more circulation
The plants have thinner leaves
The temperatures are higher
The humidity is lower
The plant is mounted on a slab
The plant is growing in a basket
The plant is in a small pot (dries faster)

The plant is in a clay pot (porous)

 

Water Less When…

There is less light
There is less air circulation
The plants have thicker leaves
The temperatures are lower
The humidity is higher
The plant is in a plastic pot
The plant is in a large pot (dries slower)
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Why grow orchids in your bathroom?

  • Orchids prefer humidity to be between 50-70% so this makes the bathroom, a place where hopefully lots of people are taking hot showers and baths an ideal spot. They love the dampness!
  • Many houseplants don’t survive the winter ~ they simply don’t like the dry interior air. Your bathroom is still your best bet for humidity. Sigh. I just killed my mandavilla. Sad day!
  • There’s a reason greenhouses have so many fans. Air circulation. Orchids love ventilation.  Good thing your bathroom has…..guess what….a fan! No circulation = fungus + rot. 

 

  • Ventilation should be provided for as all orchids do require fresh air from time to time. During the spring, summer and fall, hopefully you have a window to open in your bathroom. But if not, that is what the fan is for. 
No window and no fan in your bathroom? Hmmm, put your orchid in the kitchen window instead then. 

Secret Code – blizzard

Final orchid tips…

The orchid plant has three distinct and important stages of growth during the entire year: First, the growing stage; second; the flowering stage, and third, the resting or dormant stage.

The less you know about the stages, the more likely your orchid will flower once, and you’ll never see a bloom again.

So make sure you do some research on your specific orchid plant.

This post contains affiliate links. This means I make a very small amount if you make a purchase off the link. But at no additional cost to you. Anything I make goes right back into the site. Thank you so much for the support! I am so very grateful…more than I can communicate in this short quip! So if you were to make a purchase through Amazon anyhow, I’d be so appreciative if you used my link as it helps me pay for my website and email list.

Do you grow orchids? Would you be willing to try growing them?

140 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bandar Slot says

    November 20, 2020 at 1:24 am

    I have recently started a web site, the instruction you present upon this site has helped me greatly. Thank you for every of your mature and also work.

    Reply
    • Geo says

      January 3, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      flowers really brighten up an area!

      Reply
    • Cathy McInturff says

      January 11, 2021 at 6:28 pm

      I may actually try to grow some amaryllis after reading this article!

      Reply
  2. James Kennedy says

    December 20, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    I just adore orchids, so beautiful and exotic! They brighten up any room!

    Reply
  3. Richard Schott says

    December 20, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    I never grew a plant in the bathroom.

    Reply
  4. Kathy Derrick says

    December 20, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    A friends does this. It helps keep the humidity in the room to allow them to thrive.

    Reply
  5. Sandra Weiss says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    I would love to grow in my bathroom

    Reply
  6. Donna Evans says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    I just spent an afternoon at a orchid farm and it was awesome. I bought three plants that smelled terrific.

    Reply
  7. Brenda Haines says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Orchids are my mom’s favorite. I get her one every year.

    Reply
  8. Kimberly says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    These are excellent tips, especially since I’m terrible at keeping plants thriving. I’ve never dared attempt to grow orchids but these are stunning and I may have to give it a try.

    Reply
  9. Ronda S. Ratton says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    We used to grow ivy in our bathrooms

    Reply
  10. Janis says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:45 pm

    The orchids are beautiful. I’ve tried to grow them multiple times and always failed. I didn’t realize they have a dormant stage. Maybe I wasn’t patient enough.

    Reply
  11. Maria C. says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    I’ve always struggled with keeping orchids alive. I never thought to put them in my bathroom. I think that’s a wonderful idea.

    Reply
  12. Rena T Walter says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    I love this idea!

    Reply
  13. Ronnell Storie says

    December 20, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    I tried these once and didn’t do to well. Too dang finicky for me. Mums! Mums are easy, spread, and bloom multiple times a year.

    Reply
  14. Chad Boyd says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    I can never seem to keep orchids alive, maybe with these tips I can finally pull it foo! Thank you for the information!

    Reply
  15. Kelly Kimmell says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    I think orchids are beautiful, never thought of growing them in the bathroom. Good idea.

    Reply
  16. Joanna says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    I grow orchids in my sunroom under lights and plenty of humidity.

    Reply
  17. Debbie Welchert says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    So beautiful. I’ve tried growing orchids before and they just didn’t turn out. I am going to try again with all of your great tips

    Reply
  18. Lisa says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:19 pm

    Beautiful, no I don’t grow orchids. But yes it would be fun to try.

    Reply
  19. Diane Warstler says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:45 pm

    Stunning and I’m thankful for the great ideas!

    Reply
  20. Linda Meranda says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    Wonderful information. I’m ashamed to say I let my orchids die while fighting #bcsurvivor. Was planning to replace but covid hit so I’ve yet to get out to pick out my favorites.

    Reply