1

Select a species of orchid. Some orchids are easier to grow than others. Cattleya, Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum orchids are amongst the easiest to grow and are recommended for most beginner gardeners and orchid growers. There are, however, believed to be over 40,000 species of orchid species — that’s two times the amount of existing bird species and four times the amount of existing mammalian species. There’s almost literally an orchid for any type of person.

2

Choose the right kind of soil for your orchids. Some first-time orchid growers make the mistake of assuming that orchids need to be potted in soil like other blooming flowers, choosing potting soil as a conduit. That would likely kill your orchid. Most orchid roots need far more air than potting soil would give them, but they still need something to anchor their roots, and so they benefit from a looser, more porous mix.^[1]X

Try a potting mix, or combination of several different mediums. For simplicity’s sake, you can make two basic kinds of potting mixes that will work for most kinds of orchids. Make sure to add water to your mix and strain it before using for best results.

Choose a snug pot for your orchid unless it is large. Many orchids are comfortable being root-bound. Choose a smaller pot to place your orchid in, making sure that there are plenty of holes in the pot itself for drainage. Make sure to avoid decorative pots as well because the glaze is harmful to orchids. Remember, the enemy of orchids is often over-watering. Some orchids, such as cymbidiums, will require longer pots to accommodate very long root systems. 

Know when to re-pot your orchids. In general, you will need to repot your orchid every two years or whenever you notice that the lower leaves have died.^[3] You may also need to repot your orchid if the plant outgrows its pot or if the roots are dying.^[4]