The answer is yes, they need light, but we can use other light sources to help our orchids flourish. Fortunately, many orchids will thrive in low light conditions and we can grow orchids using supplemental indoor light.
The most common answer is; the short answer to the question, do orchids need sunlight, is, yes they need light to grow and thrive, but there is one very important caveat to keep in mind when it comes to caring for orchids. While orchids and most plants need sunlight to grow, it is very important to never place orchids in direct hot sunlight.
Can orchids be in direct sunlight?
Some orchids require bright light, but no direct sun. Orchids such as Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum live as epiphytes in lower parts of the forest. Trees and clouds block the direct rays of the sun. Direct sun can cause sunburn on the leaves, leaving large dead spots . Give these bright shade instead. Many orchids can handle some direct sun.
Unfortunately, placing an orchid across the room from a window, or in a room which faces north, is unlikely to provide sufficient sunlight. Depending on the genus, most orchids will suffer with anything more than 1-2 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Do orchids like full sun?
Purple ground orchids grow in light shade to full sun. But in the hot summer sun in our area, morning sun with afternoon shade is preferable. Though they prefer temperatures between 40 and 80 degrees they are able to survive if the ground does not stay below 40 for extended periods of time.
This begs the query “Do orchids like light?”
Our answer is there are some orchids such as orchids in the Vanda and Cattleya species that require very bright light conditions to thrive, but they still need to be shaded from direct hot sunlight. Many orchids will do well with very early morning or late evening direct sunlight, when the temperatures are not so hot and the light is not intense.