Cymbidium Orchid Care
Cymbidium
An orchid species that likes cool conditions and has long-lasting flowers. To bloom it needs a day-night temperature difference in late summer and autumn, and it is never grown in ordinary soil.
Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 2 °C / 36 °F
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
January
- Watering: Water when the potting mix is close to drying out, every 7-10 days (about 0.3-0.5 L/pot), until water runs out of the bottom of the pot.
- Pruning: Only cut spent flower stalks at the base.
- General care: While it is in flower, keep it in a cool, bright indoor space and protect it from cold drafts.
- Pests & diseases: Check the leaf bases for aphids or scale insects.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
February
- Watering: As in January.
- Pruning: When the last flowers are finished, cut the flower stalk at the base.
- General care: Flowering usually ends this month; continue keeping the plant in a bright place.
- Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of leaves for spider mites.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
March
- Watering: As new shoots (pseudobulbs) begin to grow, slightly increase watering.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
- General care: It is the best time for repotting (if the pot has filled up completely, every 2-3 years).
- Pests & diseases: Protect the new shoots from snails (if it is outdoors).
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
April
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
- Plant protection: Watch out for aphids.
- General care: After the danger of frost has passed, you can move the plant outdoors to a bright spot that receives no direct sun, such as under trees.
May
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Fertilizing: Continue regular fertilizing.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk. Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy soil that holds water, plant it on a raised mound or berm 20-30 cm high so that the root collar stays above the surrounding soil level.
- Pests & diseases: Check regularly for spider mites and scale insects.
June
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
- General care: Protect the plant from scorching sun and extreme heat, and provide shade if necessary.
- Pests & diseases: Watch out for leaf scorch; browning at the leaf tips can point to an imbalance in water or fertilizer.
July
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
- Plant protection: Spider mites love hot, dry weather; be careful.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Pests & diseases: Make sure the pot drains well against root rot.
August
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Fertilizing: From mid-month, switch to a low-nitrogen (N), potassium (K)-dominant fertilizer.
- General care: Growth continues until night temperatures begin to fall.
- Pests & diseases: Continue general checks.
September
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Fertilizing: Continue with potassium-rich fertilizer.
- General care: For flower stalks to form, it is very important that the plant's night temperature drops to 10-13°C; keeping the plant outdoors during this period is ideal.
- Pests & diseases: Protect any flower stalks that form from snails.
October
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Fertilizing: From mid-month, stop fertilizing completely.
- General care: Continue to maintain the day-night temperature difference, so flower stalks become visible. Bring the plant indoors at the end of the month, before the frost risk begins.
- Pests & diseases: Do a final check for pests before bringing it indoors.
November
- Watering: Every 10-15 days, in small amounts.
- Fertilizing: Do not fertilize.
- General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
- Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs in indoor conditions.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
December
- Watering: As in November.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
Browse all plant guides