Reasons your Phalaenopsis isn’t reflowering — and how to fix it 🌸✨

Many beginner orchid growers have no trouble loving their plants—the real challenge is getting them to bloom again. Once the flowers fade and the spikes are cut back, it becomes a waiting game. What most don’t realize is that reblooming isn’t a matter of luck. Orchids will flower again when they’re healthy and grown similar to the environmental cues they’d experience in nature!

Reason 1 – Insufficient Light

☀️ One of the most common reasons a standard Phalaenopsis fails to rebloom is insufficient light. Without adequate light, the plant simply can’t store enough energy to produce flowers. Aim for bright, indirect light during the summer months. In Canada, where winter days are short and weak, direct sun is ideal — an east-facing window or a shaded south exposure works well. Supplement with grow lights for even better results.

Reason 2 – Temperature Variability
🌡️ Unlike some orchids, Phalaenopsis respond strongly to a night temperature drop to initiate spikes. A drop to about 14–18°C at night for a couple of weeks can stimulate blooming. If temperatures remain constant day and night, flower spikes are less likely to form. Mimic nature with warm days when the sun is up and cooler nights after sunset. Maintaining a 2–4°C difference consistently produces the best results.

Reason 3 – Weak Roots and Poor-Quality Media (The Foundation)
🌱 If your orchid has weak roots from over-repotting, pests, or root loss, it will focus on survival rather than flowering. Allow the plant time to regain strength before expecting new spikes. Avoid repotting while the plant is in bloom. Think of it like moving into a new home — it takes time to adjust. Each repotting can set the orchid back until the following season. Use high-quality potting media to provide a stable foundation and healthy root environment.

Reason 4 – Watering Stress
💧 Inconsistent watering is a major source of stress. Constantly soggy media leads to root rot, while prolonged dryness causes shriveled roots and stalled growth. Establish a strong wet–dry cycle: soak thoroughly until the media is fully saturated, then water again only once it has dried completely. Never use ice cubes. Always water with clean, room-temperature water. Keep in mind that water quality varies by region — some areas have high chlorine or mineral content. The best options are reverse osmosis, distilled, or rainwater. If you suspect water quality issues, testing devices are available to measure your local water content.

Reason 5 – Overfertilizing
❌ Overfertilization causes salt buildup and encourages excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Stick to a balanced fertilizer, diluted and applied “weakly, weekly.” There is no universal rule for fertilizing since each brand varies in strength and dosage. We recommend using trusted brands that have performed well for us. When in doubt, remember: less is more. Overfertilizing is far more damaging than underfertilizing.