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Growing orchids in your bathroom

4/15/2016

 
This post contains affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through my link I make a small commission at no additional cost to yourself. Thank you for being such wonderful and gracious readers. I am truly thankful for you all! â€‹
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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 in specifically 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?

42 Comments
Kelly G
4/15/2016 09:09:43 am

I've tried to grow orchids but mine always end up dying. We have a fan and window in our bathroom and I've never tried them there. I'll have to give it another try. Thanks for the tips!

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Christine (Run Plant Based) link
4/15/2016 07:14:04 pm

Thanks for the info, I would love to add orchids to our bathrooms - I just need to get better at caring for indoor plants! Seems like the perfect, cheery accent to a sterile room.

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Tandy I Lavender and Lime link
4/16/2016 12:32:56 am

I've got an unusual shaped fish tank and after one fish surviving for 9 years instead of 9 months I can finally use it for an Orchid. Now I'm waiting to find the right one. These tips will certainly be useful when I do 😀

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Hena Tayeb link
4/16/2016 09:50:06 am

Thanks for all the tips.. we have been plant free since I killed the last one a few month ago.. plus my youngest kept digging around in the pot! I want to start again.. not now.. but soon

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Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop link
4/17/2016 11:41:28 am

I've never tried to grow orchids. I've always thought they were too fussy and difficult. I'll need to give them a try....and spruce up my bathroom!

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Demeter | Beaming Baker link
4/18/2016 10:33:12 am

What an interesting topic to cover, Laura! :) I am especially enjoying the rhyming tips--it definitely makes it easier and much more fun to remember. Okay, so are you saying we can all have a glamour bath now? Nice!! I'm passing this tips along to my mom, who just LOVES orchids! Happy Monday!

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Amy (Savory Moments) link
4/18/2016 05:10:33 pm

I'll have to show this post to my husband. He's tried a few orchids over the years, but with little luck!

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Ashley link
4/20/2016 05:22:36 pm

Potty for plants! That made me chuckle! I would have never thought to do this but it makes so much sense!

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Pamela @ BFG link
5/2/2016 12:43:40 pm

Orchids look look lovely! We have no windows in the bathroom so I (shamefully) had a few fake ones that looked great!

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Psychic Nest link
5/6/2016 12:24:49 pm

Hi Laura,

I usually buy orchids but I have never tried to grow them. Now that I see your photos, I have second thoughts about it. Needless to say that they look amazing in the bathroom!

Zaria

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RJ
1/4/2017 11:59:07 am

I have been trying orchids over several years, finally got to the point where they at least put on more leaves (thank you East facing windows, through diffused sunlight) Still have not got them to re-flower, but at least not killing them as much! Also will not purchase any orchids packed in sphagnum moss, to easy to mess up the watering. Discovered that cinnamon is a useful anti fungal.

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Laura
1/4/2017 12:03:40 pm

I have not tried cinnamon but will get on that! Surprisingly, the above orchid plants are still blooming quite well for me =) Too bad my 4-year-old plucked all the blooms off for her Barbies =(

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GardenAmbition.com link
6/21/2017 06:00:06 am

Orchids are really beautiful and costly plant. It demands high maintenance.

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Misty
6/20/2018 11:09:25 pm

I never thought that would be enough light. I'll have to give it a spin.

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Mary W
11/30/2018 07:08:45 pm

If you get a chance to visit Central Florida, you will definitely want to visit this family run orchid business. They ship all over the world and the owner George is so knowledgeable and friendly. Check out their website for more orchid tips: https://efgorchids.com/

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Audrey Griffis
11/30/2018 08:41:35 pm

I’ve never had an orchid but think they are beautiful- my mother in law has a few - the shower idea is very cool

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Frizzy B.
11/30/2018 10:55:15 pm

Very neat idea! I wouldn't have thought to put them in the bathroom, but it looks nice and livens the place up. We have three orchids in our house but they're in our office and kitchen.

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Joanna
12/1/2018 09:27:41 am

I do grow orchids I have about 80 of them. I grow them in my sunroom that was a converted porch. They are starting to spike now, my Phals. My dendrobiums have been blooming for a while now. I guess I love them, especially for Winter to cheer me up! :)

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Cindy Peterson
12/1/2018 11:13:53 am

My Mom grew beautiful orchids, I have not done as well.

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stephen jones
12/1/2018 11:58:40 am

I had one over a year before, it was going to rebloom and just never did again!

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Rachel Mertz
12/1/2018 12:22:25 pm

We have three orchids in our house that haven't flowered in over a year. We water once a week and keep in a half-sunny area. We would love to see them flower again someday but aren't sure what we're doing wrong. We've transferred them into larger pots and changed the soil - it's loose and drains well just as the websites say to do. The leaves are all healthy - but nothing ever changes.

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Betsy Pauzauskie
12/1/2018 01:28:48 pm

I have grown orchids and given them away! I get frustrated after an orchid is done blooming and long for more blooms. While they do bloom with time, I'm too impatient to wait and find it easier to gift them to someone with more patience than I possess. Thus, I've quit growing orchids, as I know I won't provide them with a forever home.

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Jackie McMillan
12/1/2018 01:47:15 pm

Reminds me of visiting my Grandma's house, she had lots of indoor plants such as violets under a grow light.

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Jo-Anne Pfoh
12/1/2018 03:35:31 pm

wow but with 6 cats (who would eat them or try to and then die) I don't think it would work in my home. Very unique idea though

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kathy mcclanahan
12/1/2018 06:17:00 pm

some good tips for growing orchids, didn't know not to water when there is no light. may have to try again!

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Monica Mount
12/1/2018 08:39:18 pm

I’ve always heard that orchids are very delicate and hard to be a success at growing them.

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Ae Minx
12/1/2018 09:14:36 pm

I love orchids.. but I have such a black thumb! Perhaps your tips will help

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Jeanna Massman
12/2/2018 02:13:49 am

The orchid s are beautiful. Thanks for the ideas.

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Anne Scott
12/2/2018 09:16:12 am

This is a great article and I would love to grow orchids in the bathroom! That would be like showering in the middle of a lovely tropical rainforest!

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Janell Goode
12/3/2018 12:07:15 pm

great information..will try these techniques out.

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Raymond Stone
12/3/2018 03:38:06 pm

In it to WIN it!

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Martha Jamison
12/3/2018 04:07:49 pm

Beautiful look! If only I had a window.

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Laura
12/3/2018 04:59:20 pm

What gorgeous orchids! It's amazing how they make the space look so homey!

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Jack Riddle
12/3/2018 06:42:33 pm

Awesome article!

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Bill Dixon
12/3/2018 09:06:45 pm

So lovely

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Crystal Abel
12/3/2018 10:31:01 pm

My orchid hasn't bloomed yet. Hopefully it will someday.

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GINA STEVENS
12/4/2018 11:22:49 pm

Orchids are beautiful. I would love to try and grow them. Thanks for the information.

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Wendy Dietrich
12/5/2018 09:42:15 am

I love orchids but can't grow them they grow good the first couple of months then they just die on me.

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Sandra Watts link
12/5/2018 10:26:57 am

I love the tile you have used.

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Mylisa Gochnour
12/5/2018 10:46:53 am

I've never grown them but would like to try they are very beautiful

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Aimee Trader
2/1/2019 12:29:05 pm

I have had the same Orchid going on 8 years sitting behind my sink by the window :) it still blooms. We also just bought one over the summer and I just love the color of it!

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Jennifer Pickett
2/4/2019 06:48:52 pm

I grew up in the tropics and my mum had the most beautiful orchids. Unfortunately I have her luck with them. I'm going to use your article though, and give them another try.

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    Hi, I'm Laura and hail from Western New York. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!
    Laura Sproull

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