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 specific amount of light your orchid needs depends on its species. In the wild, some orchids grow in dappled light conditions while others thrive in environments that offer plenty of shade. That being said, more often than not, tropical orchids require bright, indirect sunlight to encourage bloom and maintain a hearty root system.
You could be thinking “Can orchids survive without sunlight?”
One answer is, the short answer to this question is yes. Orchids can live without sunlight. However, to truly thrive, they do need some light exposure. This makes sense, as sunlight contains plants’ energy to grow and produce food.
Do orchids like direct or indirect sunlight?
Orchids Like Indirect Sunlight For orchid lighting, Phalaenopsis orchids do best in indirect sunlight, as opposed to full direct sunlight exposure. Since the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, windows facing those directions without anything to offer shade will get direct sunlight for at least a few hours of the day—the beginning or.
In fact, leaving your orchid out in direct light, even indoors, will cause leaf burn, which will irreversibly damage your orchid. There’s a bit of a debate going on about the actual number of hours that orchids should receive sunlight.
Do Orchids need a lot of light?
Many orchids, such as phalaenopsis and paphiopedilums, will be content. Orchids requiring more light, such as vandas and cymbidiums, however, need natural sunlight or high-intensity discharge lights to bloom.
Do Orchids need darkness to survive?
Orchids are adapted to low light conditions as they are adapted to living under the canopy of trees in rainforests. But, this does not mean that orchids can thrive in darkness. With too little light, the health of orchids will suffer and they will have problems with spiking and flowering.
How much light does an orchid need to survive?
When we are talking about providing the correct light conditions for our orchids we need to consider 2 elements; the intensity of the light and the duration of light. Orchids need between 12 and 16 hours of light to keep them in active growth. If they receive more than 16 hours of light then this can affect flower formation.
Are orchids difficult to grow without a greenhouse?
There is a long-standing myth that orchids are difficult, if not impossible, to grow, especially without a greenhouse. With at least 20,000 species and some 100,000 artificial hybrids, there are some notoriously fussy orchids.
Why are my orchids not flowering?
Many orchids can withstand more or less than the amount of recommended light, but providing more light enhances flowering potential. Conversely, inadequate light prevents orchids from flowering, although they will grow. Leaf color indicates if the amount of light is adequate.