Orchids are not hard, just different. Five things to understand, in the order you need them, and you will keep your first orchid alive and blooming.
Most orchids sold in shops are Phalaenopsis (moth orchids), the easiest to grow indoors. Identifying your orchid tells you how much light, water and rest it needs.
Browse orchid typesBright but indirect light is the goal: an east window, or a few feet back from a south or west one. Too little light is the number one reason orchids never rebloom.
Care guidesOrchid roots need air. Soak the pot thoroughly, let it drain, then wait until the mix is nearly dry before watering again. Never leave it standing in water.
Try the watering calculatorUse an orchid fertiliser at quarter strength most waterings during growth. Repot into fresh bark every one to two years, right after flowering.
Repotting guidesFirm green leaves and plump silvery-green roots mean all is well. Wrinkled leaves, mushy roots or spotted foliage each have a specific cause and fix.
Problem guidesAfter the flowers drop, keep caring for the plant as normal. A few cooler nights in autumn and steady light will usually bring a new spike.
Blooming guidesWhen in doubt, do not water. Far more orchids die from soggy roots than from a dry week. Check the roots through the pot, lift it to feel the weight, and water only when it is light and the roots have turned silvery.