As a young girl, I was a huge fan of orchids as I often saw my mom growing them in her backyard garden and living room.
However, one thing she and I could never figure out was why her orchid roots would always grow out of control and leave the pot. I mean…why not just stay in there and look all neat and pretty?
Now that I’ve gained some gardening experience of my own, I seem to have figured out what the underlying reasons behind this wild root growth can be. Let’s discuss them in detail today!
Why Orchid Roots Grow Out Of The Pot?
The first and most obvious reason why orchid roots grow out of the pot is that the pot cannot contain them.
This may happen if the pot you’re growing in is too small or compact for the roots to spread downwards and support the plant like they should.
But, if you didn’t already know, orchid roots technically aren’t supposed to grow underground; they grow on trees by wrapping around them for support.
If you’ve ever seen orchids out in the wild, you’ll most likely find them near trees with their roots largely growing and spreading around tall tree trunks.
Is This Normal Or A Problem I Need To Fix?
Well, that depends… Start by taking a look at your orchid!
If your orchid is looking healthy with no visible signs of stress, discoloration, or trouble, then you’re obviously good. Growth should continue, and your plant will live to bloom again.
However, if growth seems to have slowed down, the roots look damaged, and the plant is giving clear signs of discomfort like leaf discoloration or weak blooming, then that’s where you should intervene, as those are not normal occurrences.
Should I Cut The Aerial Roots Of My Orchid?
In my opinion, no, you shouldn’t cut the aerial roots of your orchid just because they’re growing out of the pot! They’re still important for the plant’s healthy functioning, nutrient absorption, and support.
When Should I Cut The Roots?
Dead roots are usually brown, shriveled, or mushy. Only cut them if the roots look like they’re badly damaged or developing rot. Otherwise, let them be and enjoy your orchid like it is!
What To Do When Orchid Roots Are Out Of Control?
There are typically two things you can do if your orchid roots are growing out of control:
Repot your orchid to a slightly bigger pot that can accommodate the vigorous root growth, but DON’T bury the aerial roots!!! Spring is generally the best time for repotting as temperatures tend to be on the milder side, and your plant won’t be as stressed.
If there seems to be a problem with the roots, and you notice mushiness or rot that could spread, use a sharp pair of scissors to carefully trim it down and remove it from the root system.
Some Tips To Keep Orchid Roots Healthy
First and foremost, ensure proper, undisturbed air circulation. Keep your orchid pot in an airy spot where there’s tons of airflow.
Avoid going overboard with the water just because the roots are growing out of the pot now. Your orchid requires the same amount of water as it did before, and any more than that can lead to root rot and other waterlogging problems.
Use a proper, balanced fertilizer to provide your plant with the nutrients it needs to grow well.
Conclusion
Wild growing orchid roots can seem like an overwhelming problem when they’re really not. Orchid roots are just like that; they prefer growing on trees and out in the open.
However, if you notice anything strange or unusual happening with your plant while its roots grow out of the pot, there may be something stressful going on that your orchid is trying to signal to you. Pick up on it and address those issues as quickly and effectively as you can. Good luck!
I love my orchids but I recently bought a baby one and now it has white mold on it. I washed it
Hi Pollyann!
White mold can be a sign of excess moisture or poor air circulation. Since you’ve already washed it, try to improve airflow around the plant and avoid overwatering. Make sure the potting medium drains well and the roots aren’t sitting in water. If the mold persists, you might consider repotting the orchid with fresh, clean orchid mix. Keeping your baby orchid in a well-ventilated area with indirect light should help it recover. 🌿🌸
I mixed baking soda and water in a solution sprayed the roots. In 4 days the mold was gone.
Hi Debi! 😊 That’s a great tip! Baking soda solution can definitely help knock out mold. Thanks for sharing what worked for you!
My orchid has brown roots above and below the pot. Has disconnected from the soil(media). I have a new pot with new media do I cut off all the brown roots? I don’t see any good root. There is a moist black ball in the center where the nice green leaves are.
Hi Charla!
It sounds like your orchid is struggling, but there’s still hope! Remove it from the pot and trim off all brown, mushy, or dead roots with clean scissors. If there’s a black ball at the base, it could be rot. Carefully clean it off as much as possible without damaging the healthy parts of the plant. Repot your orchid in fresh, well-draining media and give it bright, indirect light. Water sparingly to avoid further rot and let it recover. With some care, it can bounce back! 🌱🌸
I have an orchid that all the leaves are gone on and there is just dried roots. The lady who cared for it had a stroke and it had nothing done to it for weeks.. when I saw it I told them I would bring it home and try to revive it but nothing I try makes any green on the stim. Please help. Desperate
Hi!😊 You’re so kind to try and save this orchid! 💜 If all the leaves are gone and the roots are dried out, it may be struggling to survive, but here’s what you can do:
1️⃣ Check for any live tissue – Scratch the stem and roots gently. If there’s any green or firm tissue, there’s still hope!
2️⃣ Trim dead roots – Use sterilized scissors to remove any completely dry, brittle, or mushy roots.
3️⃣ Soak in water – Let the remaining roots sit in lukewarm water for 30 minutes to rehydrate.
4️⃣ Try sphagnum moss or water culture – Wrap the base in damp sphagnum moss (in a ventilated bag) or place it in water culture with just the bottom roots touching the water.
5️⃣ Provide warmth & humidity – Keep it in bright, indirect light with high humidity to encourage regrowth.
If the entire plant is brown and brittle, it may not recover, but orchids can surprise you! 💚 Give it time, and I’d love to hear how it goes! 🌿✨
How do you know which roots to trim? Other than the brown or soggy roots how do I know which ones to cut I have one and she has lots of roots outside the pot. I’m going to repot her soon. She needs it. It still blooms 3-4 times a year with the blooms lasting 2-3 months. Thanks for the great advice and article! I have 9 plants and this will help
Hi Johnna! Great question! 😊 Since your orchid is blooming well, it sounds really healthy! When repotting, here’s how to know which roots to trim:
✂️ Trim only dead or unhealthy roots: If a root is brown, black, mushy, or hollow, it’s dead and should be cut off with sterilized scissors.
🌱 Healthy roots: Firm, plump, and green/silver roots (even if they’re outside the pot) are normal and don’t need cutting. Air roots help the plant absorb moisture!
🪴 If repotting, remove only what’s necessary: Let healthy roots stay, and use a slightly larger pot with fresh orchid mix to give them room to grow.
With 9 orchids, you’re doing an amazing job! Hope this helps, and happy repotting! 😊🌿✨
I just bought 5 orchid babies on the web. Is there any special planting steps for beginner plants
Hi Carrie! How exciting! 😊 You’re going to have so much fun watching them grow! 🌸✨ For baby orchids (seedlings or young plants), here are a few easy steps:
🌿 Use a fine orchid bark mix or sphagnum moss, something light and airy;
🪴 Plant them in small pots with good drainage (they like snug spaces);
💧 Water lightly but often, keeping the roots slightly moist, not soaked;
☀️ Give them bright, indirect light, no harsh sun yet;
🌱 And be patient. Baby orchids grow slow but steady!
I moved several orchids to my front porch. Some sun in the morning but shaded by about 10:30. Near Houston, so warm and humid. Mom sprayed them with water hose maybe every other day. Some leaves began to turn yellow. Thinking too much sun moved them back inside. Have lost two plants whose leaves turned to like jelly. Another two had yellow leaves and trimmed those off but rest of plant is still struggling. One is in bark that is very chunky and doesn’t seem to hold moisture very well. Probably will lose that one too. If I continue with just weekly watering and sitting near east window do you think I have a chance of saving them?
Hi Ginger! 😊 Oh no, I’m so sorry you’re going through that… Orchids can be so tricky! 😣 From what you described, it sounds like a mix of too much water and possibly a bit of sun stress early on. The jelly-like leaves usually mean root rot, especially if the potting mix isn’t holding moisture evenly or the roots stayed too wet.
Moving them near an east-facing window is a great call. Gentle morning light and consistent weekly watering (only when the potting mix feels mostly dry) might give the healthier ones a chance to bounce back. And don’t give up on the one in chunky bark just yet! Sometimes orchids surprise us when the roots finally settle in. Wishing your orchids a strong recovery! 🫶
What fertilizer should I use?
Hi Joanne! 😊 For orchids, go with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer like 20-20-20 or one labeled specifically for orchids. Look for something that includes micronutrients and says “for orchids” on the label. Use it at ¼ to ½ strength every 2–3 weeks while the plant is actively growing (usually spring through early fall). And always water first before fertilizing, orchids don’t like fertilizer on dry roots! 🌿🌸