Orchids are tough plants which can generally survive quite a long time without any care, but in winter it is really easy for them to lose all their flowers. These hardy houseplants need humidity to survive, and the experts at Just Add Ice Orchids have warned the air inside homes can really dry them out during the colder months.
They said: “The warm, dry air coming out of your vents to heat your home can pose a danger to your orchid. If your plant is in the path of a vent, consider relocating it. Similarly, you don’t want to put your orchid near a doorway that will be frequently opened and could bring in outside drafts.” They added: “If you notice your orchid’s buds falling off, there’s a good chance you’re exposing it to a draft.”
Orchids are used to a humid environment as they naturally grow on the floors of rainforests where they need to take moisture out of the air to survive.
It is really important to move orchids once you switch on your heating, as the hot air from a radiator can overheat and dehydrate them.
However, orchids also need to stay warm and should also keep them away from doors and windows, otherwise the sudden temperature changes can damage or even kill them.
Keeping orchids healthy over winter can be difficult, but just taking a few minutes to move them to a safer spot is the absolute best way to ensure they keep thriving.
Where should you move an orchid houseplant in winter?
Orchids still need plenty of light, but it is important to not directly place them next to a window, and instead place them a few feet away on a table, desk or counter.
If you can, place orchids near a north or east-facing window as they will get plenty of morning sun, and it is the temperature to help them keep growing.
It is best to keep orchids in a room with a stable temperature that is above 18C in the daytime and is above at least 13C in the evening.
Place your orchid in a room you use frequently during the day such as the living room, workspace, or hallway but avoid bedrooms, where the heating is often too high.
Orchids love humidity, so bathrooms and kitchens can be ideal spots for them as long as the room stays warm enough in the events.
Kitchens tend to be the ideal place to place an orchid, but be careful to keep them far away from fruit bowls, as ripening fruits release a gas which can age plants and cause their flowers to drop.
