What Kind of a Pot Can You Put Orchids in?

Size

• Choose a pot to suit the roots of your orchid. Unlike most other plants, orchids do best when they fit snugly in their pots. A pot with lots of room to grow will inspire the plant to send out longer roots, at the expense of producing flowers and new leaves. The new pot should be just big enough for growth over two years because most orchids need repotting during that timeframe.

Clay or Plastic

• Clay and plastic each have their selling points. Plastic helps to hold in moisture so you don't have to water as often. But too much moisture can cause root rot, so you often see orchids potted in terra-cotta. The unglazed clay allows the plant to breathe, even though it requires more frequent watering. Terra-cotta pots made especially for orchids have side slashes as well as large bottom drain holes -- aerated soil and good drainage are essential for a healthy plant. Orchids like Phalaenopsis have roots that photosynthesize, so one pot material that works well for them is translucent glass.

Baskets

• Many orchids are epiphytes that draw nourishment from their surrounding environment and can seem to live on -- and in -- air. Hanging baskets made of wire or redwood suit them just fine. Vandas and Dendrobiums do well in aerated baskets. The baskets may be lined in coconut husk or sphagnum moss to help hold in moisture.

Growing Media

• The growing media is important no matter what type of pot you use. Orchid growing media is a sterile mix of fir bark, peat moss and vermiculite or perlite to promote rapid drainage. Media that accommodate orchid peculiarities are sphagnum moss, cork, coconut fiber, redwood bark, tree fern, and charcoal, sand and polystyrene foam. Each species has its own requirements and the successful orchid grower uses both research and observation to tweak the media for optimal results.