Orchids don’t actually insist on soil the way most houseplants do; they’re epiphytes in the wild, clinging to bark and branches, letting rain and mist do the real work. That’s why growing them without soil feels oddly natural once you get the hang of it. The whole process becomes a quiet little ritual, a bit messy at times, but wonderfully rewarding when you see new roots grip onto their medium like they finally remembered where they came from.

Feeding orchids feels almost like learning a new language at first. They don’t want heavy, rich fertilizer the way garden plants do, and they certainly don’t thrive on the “more is better” mindset. If anything, orchids appreciate a lighter touch — small, steady nourishment rather than dramatic boosts. Once you understand that, fertilizing becomes easy, almost routine, and the plants respond with stronger roots, healthier leaves, and blooms that feel just a little fuller each season.

There’s something oddly thrilling about the moment you realize your orchid isn’t just a decorative plant but a living thing determined to grow, multiply, and maybe — if you treat it right — create an entirely new generation. Propagation isn’t instant, and it isn’t always predictable, but that’s honestly part of its charm. Most orchids won’t grow from leaf cuttings like succulents or begonias, so the approach depends heavily on the type you have.

It sounds simple — water the plant — yet with orchids, this single task is where most people go wrong. Too much water, and the roots suffocate and rot. Too little, and the plant weakens, dropping buds or stalling before it ever considers blooming. Somewhere between those extremes is a rhythm, and once you learn it, watering orchids becomes less of a chore and more of a quiet ritual. Most beginner-friendly orchids like Phalaenopsis grow in bark or airy substrates, not soil.