Phalaenopsis orchids (or moth orchids) need a pot that offers excellent drainage, plenty of ventilation slits and – if you want your plant to really thrive – light access to the roots. For beginner orchid growers, clear pots help you check your plant’s root health and identify when it needs watering.
Double potting is one of the best ways to meet your orchid’s needs: keep your orchid in a short, plastic growing pot with plenty of holes and slits, inside a prettier and sturdier decorative pot.
The best pot option for your Phalaenopsis orchid is the Eva Solo Orchid Self-Watering Pot. This pot makes orchid care easy with its innovative self-watering and separate reservoir feature. The glass portion gives the roots access to the light they need for photosynthesis, and also looks stylish. But the REMIAWY 5.5 Inch Clear Orchid Pots Multipack also offers the essential orchid pot features. These simple clear pots give the roots access to light when it’s needed out of bloom time and can sit neatly in a decorative pot during the bloom.
Check out my top 7 Phalaenopsis orchid pots here:
- Best Overall: Eva Solo Orchid Self-Watering Pot
- Best Budget-Friendly: REMIAWY 5.5 Inch Clear Orchid Pots Multipack
- Best Premium: Eva Solo Orchid Pot
- Best Drainage: Meshpot 8 Inch Plastic Orchid Pot With Holes
- Best Aesthetic: VEBAVO Ceramic Orchid Pot And Saucer
- Best Hanging Basket: PANWA Handmade Bamboo Woven 4 Inch Hanging Orchid Basket
- Best Vertical Pot: Vertplanter 5.7 Inch Terracotta Self-Watering Plant Pot
Keep reading to find out all the details about the best fertilizer for fig trees in pots.
Product Reviews
Best Overall: Eva Solo Orchid Self-Watering Pot
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The Eva Solo Orchid Self-Watering Pot offers an intelligent self-watering system that makes orchid care easy. The separate water reservoir ensures that there is no contact between the roots and standing water, while the nylon wicks help the plant draw up the water it needs.
The stunning minimalist design will complement any room. But the design is as functional as it is stunning – the clear portion that encases the roots lets light through to aid photosynthesis and allows you to easily check the plant’s roots for health and to know when to add more water.
Key features:
- Material: Glass
- Dimensions: 6” (diameter), 6” (width) and 7” (height) (There is also a smaller version, but the large is ideal for growing orchids)
- Colors: White and glass
- Drainage: Self-watering with separate water reservoir
- Ventilation: Limited
- Light access: Good (clear glass section allows the roots to access light for photosynthesis)
- Use: Indoor
Who is it for:
This orchid pot is great for over-waterers and forgetful waterers as it manages the watering process for you. You will have nothing to do other than occasional misting, giving the roots a health check and occasionally refilling the water system.
Best Budget-Friendly: REMIAWY 5.5 Inch Clear Orchid Pots Multipack
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These clear pots are inner growth pots to go inside a decorative pot. They come with a saucer to help water drainage and have a raised center to stop your plant sitting in any excess water. The drainage and ventilation are excellent for protecting your plant against the perils of waterlogged growing matter.
This budget-friendly option offers great value (and comes as a multipack). Repotting your Phalaenopsis orchid will be a breeze with these plastic pots as you can cut the pot away as you attempt to carefully remove those clingy orchid roots.
Key features:
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 5.5” (diameter) and 4.2” (height) (plus 5.5” saucer)
- Colors: Clear
- Drainage: Excellent – good drainage holes at the bottom and comes with a matching drainage saucer
- Ventilation: Yes – plenty of slits in the sides of the pot
- Light access: Good (it is recommended to keep this grow pot out of any decorative pots during non-bloom to help photosynthesis)
- Use: Indoor and outdoor
Who is it for:
These reasonably priced pots are a great choice for a beginner orchid grower as the clear plastic helps you to check your plant’s root health and know when to water.
Best Premium: Eva Solo Orchid Pot
Highlight:
The Eva Solo Orchid Pot has clever internal drainage and a separate water reservoir system, with nylon wicks to help the plant draw water up. This helps to maintain perfect moisture levels in the growing medium and helps avoid waterlogging.
The stunning minimalist Danish design of this double wall pot won the iF product design award. This pot is as beautiful as it is functional.
Key features:
- Material: Glass inside external glazed pottery
- Dimensions: 6.7” (diameter), 6.7” (width) and 6” (height) (note: the inner diameter, where the root ball would enter the pot, is 4.5”)
- Colors: White
- Drainage: Self-watering with separate water reservoir
- Ventilation: Limited
- Light access: Limited
- Use: Indoor
Who is it for:
Anyone who is looking for a pot that is both aesthetically pleasing and super functional (with a self-watering system to boot) will love this option.
This pot is ideal for small to regular sized orchids with a root ball that will fit through a 4.5” gap (larger orchids with complex root balls and multiple grow support sticks may not fit).
Best Drainage: Meshpot 8 Inch Plastic Orchid Pot With Holes
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The 8 Inch Meshpot has superb drainage, which is crucial for your Phalaenopsis orchid’s health. The pot has lots of slits and drainage holes, plus raised pot feet and a matching saucer. The well-designed vertical slits not only help ventilation and drainage, they also promote healthy root growth by encouraging the roots to grow out of the sides of the pot, rather than circling around the inside.
This pot is specifically designed for orchids, has a good price point and is available as a multipack.
Key features:
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 8” (diameter) (though reaching 6.75” towards the bottom) and 5.5” (internal height)
- Colors: White
- Drainage: Yes
- Ventilation: Good – lots of slits in the sides of the pots to help air flow
- Light access: Limited light access when inside the decorative pot
- Use: Indoor and outdoor
Who is it for:
This pot offers excellent drainage and is good value for money. It is fine for most size orchids.
Best Aesthetic: VEBAVO Ceramic Orchid Pot And Saucer
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The aesthetic appeal of the VEBAVO Ceramic Orchid Pot is hard to say no to. The pot’s floral design is both pretty and functional, as it aids ventilation too.
The pot has adequate drainage and comes with a matching saucer.
Key features:
- Material: Ceramic
- Dimensions: 6.5” (diameter) and 6” (height) (also available in 5.25” diameter option for smaller orchids)
- Colors: White
- Drainage: Adequate (only one bottom drainage hole, but it does come with a matching drainage saucer)
- Ventilation: Good
- Light access: Limited light access (and difficult to check root health)
- Use: Indoor or outdoor
Who is it for:
This pot is best for orchid growers with a little experience. As the pot is not clear it is hard to check on the plant’s roots and know when to water.
Best Hanging Basket: PANWA Handmade Bamboo Woven 4 Inch Hanging Orchid Basket
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These beautiful bamboo orchid baskets are handcrafted in Thailand and are ideal for encouraging your orchids to drape beautifully.
The dark coffee color of the baskets is created by soaking the reeds and allowing them to dry by the fire – this traditional process also removes microbes and insects, so you don’t have to worry about your plant’s health. The baskets can be sprayed with water and cleaned without mold or mildew forming.
The baskets come with a metal hanging hook for easy installation.
Key features:
- Material: Handwoven bamboo (with metal hanger)
- Dimensions: 4” (diameter at its widest point) and 14” (length)
- Colors: Brown bamboo
- Drainage: Yes
- Ventilation: Yes
- Light access: Some light access to the roots
- Use: Indoor or outdoor
Who is it for:
These bamboo baskets are ideal for smaller orchids. This option is not suited to forgetful waterers as your plants may need watering more often when compared with the traditional-shaped pots and self-watering pot options.
Best Vertical Pot: Vertplanter 5.7 Inch Terracotta Self-Watering Plant Pot
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The Vertplanter Terracotta Self-Watering Plant Pot makes orchid care easy. It only needs water (no growing material) and just requires a water top-up every 10 – 15 days. The clever self-watering system irrigates your orchid through the walls, so you don’t have to think about it.
This vertical type of pot encourages the healthy development of an orchid’s aerial roots. It’s made of a durable terracotta that is sturdy enough to hold up even a rather top-heavy orchid.
Key features:
- Material: Terracotta
- Dimensions: 5.7” (diameter), 5.7” (width) and 9.2” (height)
- Colors: Terracotta color
- Drainage: Yes – comes with a matching water tray
- Ventilation: Yes (breathable material, though the benefits of this are hindered slightly by the glazing, and the plant is kept on the outside of the pot)
- Light access: Yes (the plant is kept on the outside)
- Use: Indoor
Who is it for:
This pot is a great choice for anyone who loves to watch their plant grow, as the orchid grows outside the pot. This also makes it easy to check the plant’s roots. The self-watering system means that only minimal hands-on care is required.
Phalaenopsis Orchid Pot Buying Guide
5 Useful Tips For Choosing The Right Pot For Your Phalaenopsis Orchid
#1 Double Potting Is Ideal for Phalaenopsis Orchids
Choosing the right material for your Phalaenopsis orchid pot is important.
Here is a helpful summary of the pros and cons of different orchid pot materials:
| Glass | Plastic | Opaque decorative | Terracotta | |
| Pros | Clear – easy to check the roots to know when to waterLets light in (orchid roots can help with photosynthesis) | Drainage holesClearLets light inCan cut the pot when repotting (this plant has clingy roots)Cheaper | Aesthetic appealStableIf ceramic, helps air flow | Helps air flow Soaks up excess waterSturdy |
| Cons | No drainage holesRestricts air flow | Some models restrict air flowLightweight and unstable | Needs a grow pot insideWeak drainage systemHard to check the rootsBlocks light | Hard to check the rootsRetains too much humidity if you over-waterPot may be destroyed during repotting |
Keeping a clear pot inside a sturdy decorative pot during bloom time (when the roots don’t need access to light for photosynthesis) is a good option.
#2 Choose A Pot With Good Drainage
Good drainage is perhaps the most important factor when it comes to choosing an orchid pot.
Large drainage holes are essential for helping the water to exit quickly. Saucers can also help to maintain good drainage. Terracotta (when unglazed) helps the maintenance of good moisture levels.
#3 Phalaenopsis Orchids Need Ventilation
Good ventilation is almost as important as good drainage for orchids. Your pot will need to have holes, slots and slits for proper air circulation.
Confined pots won’t work as orchids need air flow for healthy growth as their roots are aerial by nature.
Holes also help remove excess humidity and keep fungus away from the roots.
#4 The Pot Size Needs to be Just Right
Your orchid pot should be large enough to allow your plant to grow 1 – 2 inches over the year. The roots should be tight, but not cramped as an overly compact potting medium can suffocate the roots.
An oversized pot will cause your plant to start leaning and become unstable as it reaches for something to cling to.
When repotting, just go one size up to give your plant a little extra room to grow.
The pot should be sturdy enough to support your orchid and its support pole when in bloom – a short pot is often more stable than a tall one.
#5 Phalaenopsis Orchids Also Like Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets are also suitable for Phalaenopsis orchids due to their draping nature and aerial roots. Bark or moss are great potting materials if you have opted for a hanging basket.
Phalaenopsis Orchid Pot
FAQs
What type of pot is best for my phalaenopsis orchid?
A pot specifically designed for orchids is usually best. Look for good ventilation, excellent drainage and (for best results) light access to the roots.
Do phalaenopsis orchids need a clear pot?
Clear pots are ideal for beginner orchid growers as it will allow you to check the plant’s root health and find out when to water it.
How do I know when to water my phalaenopsis orchid?
If the roots are bright green, it means your plant has plenty of moisture and doesn’t need watering. If the roots are silvery gray, it is too dry and needs watering.
Does my phalaenopsis orchid need a deep pot?
No – Phalaenopsis orchids prefer shallow pots as this prevents it toppling over as it grows taller.
How often should I repot my phalaenopsis orchid?
Generally orchids need repotting every two years, or when the roots have become very cramped. The best time to repot is after the bloom.
What is the best potting medium for my phalaenopsis orchid?
There is a wide variety of options for orchid potting mediums. You can use any of the following (or use them to create your own mix): fir bark, coconut husk chips, sphagnum moss or peat, tree fern, charcoal or perlite If you prefer to buy your potting medium, select a specifically designed orchid potting medium mix.
Don’t Wait – Get the Best Phalaenopsis Orchid Pot Today!
The ultimate Phalaenopsis orchid pot is the Eva Solo Orchid Self-Watering Pot. The self-watering feature makes orchid care simple and the glass portion is both stylish and functional, giving the roots access to the light they need for photosynthesis.
Double potting, using the REMIAWY 5.5 Inch Clear Orchid Pots Multipack, is another great option. During the bloom, place your orchid (in its REMIAWY grow pot) inside a pretty decorative pot. After the bloom, keep your plant just in its clear grow pot to aid photosynthesis and help you check on your plant’s root health.
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