Subscribe to our blog to get articles delivered directly to your inbox

How to Care for Just Add Ice Orchids in Dry Environments

September 29, 2011

One of the things that has made Just Add Ice Orchids so popular with Americans is our easy-to-remember watering routine. Like our name says, we recommend that our orchid owners just add ice to each orchid pot once a week. In most environments, adding the typically recommended 3 ice cubes to the pot of your Phalaenopsis orchid will provide exactly the right amount of water the plant needs to thrive. However, if you live in an area where the relative humidity is less than 50%, you will need to increase the humidity in the area where you display your orchid.

If you live in an area like Texas that has been stricken by drought or a place like Las Vegas where the climate is naturally dry, you will need to provide your Just Add Ice Orchid with additional water. Even if you live in an area that usually enjoys adequate humidity, once winter arrives you may need to increase the humidity around your Just Add Ice Orchid to combat the natural drop in humidity that occurs during the winter months. Forced-air heat from your furnace can also rob the air of the humidity your orchid needs to survive and thrive.

There are several ways to increase the humidity around your Just Add Ice Orchid:

  • Fill a plate or dish with pebbles. Add water and place your orchid pot on top of stones. As the water in the dish evaporates, it will increase the humidity around your orchid.
  • Use a small spray bottle to lightly mist the leaves of your orchid once or twice a day. Avoid misting late in the day to prevent fungus growth.
  • Add 1 to 2 extra ice cubes to your orchid’s pot when you water it.

Photo by: bobosh_t