February 19, 2026, 7:56 am | Read time: 4 minutes

Few plants are as popular as the orchid. They delight plant enthusiasts even in the cold season with their long-lasting and particularly attractive blooms. These come in various shapes and colors. With around 30,000 species worldwide, orchids are primarily found in the tropics and subtropics, but also in Central Europe. Most orchids available to us are easy to care for. However, orchids can lose their blooms if conditions are not ideal.

Orchids Losing Blooms? These Could Be the Reasons

Incorrect Watering

Watering is actually the wrong term for orchids, as they thrive best when regularly submerged in water. They cannot tolerate long dry periods or waterlogging. To properly submerge, cover the orchid’s pot completely with water or place it in a sink filled with room-temperature water. Rainwater is ideal for orchids, as it is less calcareous and more similar to the conditions in their tropical homeland. Let the orchid stand in water for about 30 minutes, allowing the substrate and roots to absorb moisture. Then let it drain well so no water collects in the pot. If the orchid is watered too much or too little, like a regular houseplant, it may drop its blooms and even buds as it goes into survival mode. Submerging should be done once a week in summer, less frequently in winter.

Wrong Location

Orchids are mainly found in tropical and subtropical forests, where they receive little sunlight. A spot on a sunny windowsill is therefore unsuitable for orchids. This can result in burnt leaves, and the plant may also drop its blooms. Frequent changes in location can also affect the orchid’s bloom. Once the “queen of flowers” is in an ideal spot (bright but not too warm or sunny), it should not be moved. Frequent relocations are not good for orchids, and they may drop their leaves.

Orchids Losing Blooms During Dormancy

There are also reasons beyond the control of the indoor gardener for why an orchid might drop its blooms. Orchids enter a dormancy period once a year, often in winter, but depending on the species, it can occur at other times. During this phase, the plant stops growing both leaves and flower spikes, and previously developed blooms are shed at the start of dormancy. There’s no need to worry; in fact, you should support this phase by watering less and not fertilizing. Additionally, the orchid should be placed in a cooler location. Lower temperatures support the tropical plant during dormancy, allowing it to produce beautiful new blooms afterward.

Low Humidity

In line with their native environment, orchids prefer high humidity of 40 to 60 percent. If the air is too dry, the plant may drop its painstakingly developed blooms. Especially in winter, with heating, most indoor spaces do not provide these conditions. Therefore, orchids are also well-suited as bathroom plants if there is enough daylight, as bathing and showering regularly increase humidity. If you don’t have a bathroom with natural light, you can regularly mist the orchid in the living room with low-calcium water. Rainwater is best, but boiled tap water also has a lower calcium content. Too much calcium can otherwise lead to unsightly calcium deposits on the orchid’s leaves.

Fluctuating Temperatures

Drafts from airing out or opening house or balcony doors can lead to significantly fluctuating temperatures indoors, especially in fall and winter. Orchids need consistent temperatures to thrive, develop blooms, and carry them until they fade.