Light for orchids: where to place each one in your home
The right light is the difference between a plant that survives and one that blooms. A practical map by window and genus.
4 min read · Edwin Orchids
The hand rule
Place your hand between the light and the plant at midday: a sharp, defined shadow = high light (Cattleya, Vanda). A soft, diffuse shadow = medium light (Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum). Barely any shadow = low light; almost no orchid will bloom there.
Window map (northern hemisphere)
East: the golden window — gentle morning sun, perfect for almost all. West: strong afternoon sun, fine for Cattleyas with a sheer curtain. South: maximum light, ideal for Vandas; protect the rest with a curtain. North: the weakest — Phalaenopsis only, and close to the glass.
Low light at home?
Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum are your allies — they bloom with less light than any other. And if you want to go serious, a LED grow light running 12 hours a day turns any corner into a nursery.
Not sure what suits you? Ask the Orchid Concierge and describe your space — it knows what's available and what fits your light.