Do orchids need sunlight?
The simple answer is yes, but they can be picky about it.
Sunlight filters through the tree canopy to provide these unique plants with various levels of indirect light.
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Growing orchids is a rewarding gardening project.
Some types will tolerate direct exposure to morning sun, but midday and afternoon rays are too strong.
Orchids may have low light or high light requirements or may fall somewhere in between.
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This refers to light intensity not the number of hours of exposure.
Daylight lasts longer during summer months which means sun exposure has higher intensity for more hours.
Four to six hours is sufficient during winter months.
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In southern climates, phalaenopsis may also thrive in a north-facing window.
If the undersides or leaf margins start to turn reddish-purple your phalaenopsis orchid is receiving too much direct light.
Black or brown tips and spots on leaves are symptoms of sunburn.
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Signs of insufficient light include stunting, leggy growth, and long, droopy leaves.
They need a minimum of four hours of bright sunlight to flower.
They tolerate direct sunlight in northern growing zones as long as they aren’t exposed to midday sun.
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Southern growers need to filter exposure for indirect light.
Close to east and south-facing windows are the best locations for this orchid.
Red leaf margins indicate your cattleya orchid is getting too much direct sun.
If leaves turn dark green light exposure is inadequate for blooming.
Healthy cattleya leaves are light green.
Place them in an east or south-facing window with a sheer or blind.
Direct midday exposure can burn the leaves.
Dendrobium is a high-light orchid that fails to bloom with inadequate light.
Weak stems are another sign of insufficient exposure.
Black or brown spots on leaves and reddish-purple margins are signs of sunburn.
Want more gardening tips?
They may be tolerant of afternoon shade but still require low-intensity morning light to thrive.
Move these orchids to an east-facing window during winter months.
A complete lack of light can reduce the room’s ambient temperature which encourages flowering.
Morning light is least likely to adversely affect most types of orchids.
you might make adjustments if the orchid shows signs of too little or too much exposure.
Most orchids do not need direct sunlight although some with high light needs may tolerate direct morning sunlight.
Amounts of bright, indirect light are better for most varieties.
