How Much Light Do Orchids Need Indoors?

Orchids are one of the world’s most diverse flowering plants. Regardless of variety, every orchid requires approximately six hours of sunlight daily. They need blue light wavelengths to grow and red light wavelengths to produce flowers. However, orchids are divided into three groups according to how much light they need to thrive. 

Three Classes of Orchids

Sunlight intensity is typically measured in “foot-candles.” This measurement is also used to classify orchids by their individual light requirements. There are three main classes of orchids. Full-sun orchids require the greatest amount of light, 3000 foot-candles of direct sunlight. These include the hardy varieties of Cattleya orchids, Cymbidium orchids, Dendrobium orchids and Vanya orchids. However, care must be taken to ensure these direct-light orchids don’t get sunburnt in the sun. Keeping a mesh screen between the sun and your full-sun orchids is generally a good idea.  

Orchids such as Oncidium orchids do well in 2000-foot candles of indirect medium light, which provides them with enough light without the danger of burning their leaves and flowers. If these orchids are kept indoors, you may need to place them near an east- or south-facing window to catch the morning light. Indoor plants that show signs of receiving too little light can also be supplemented with indoor grow lights, particularly during the winter months.

Other orchids are classified as low-light orchids and thrive in dappled light between 1000 and 1500 candles. These include Miltonia or Pansy orchids, Moth orchids, and Lady Slipper orchids. These orchids do well beneath a canopy of other plants or trees. 

You shouldn’t rely on moving your orchids to compensate for too little or too much sun. Moving the plants excessively can stress the plants. However, moving them once or twice a year to account for the changing seasons and the different angles of the sun is acceptable. 

Signs of Too Little Light

Orchids that aren’t receiving enough sun develop noticeable signs, including:

• The plant looks stretched out and gangly
• It fails to produce many flowers
• The leaves become thinner, duller and more elongated
• There are many pale or yellow leaves on a single plant

Signs of Too Much Sun

It’s easy to spot when your orchids are getting leaf-burned from too much sun. They will have brown tips and brown spots on their foliage and flowers. They also may develop white spots surrounded by dark rings. Orchids may simply need to have an added screen over them for a few days until the signs disappear, and then reduce the amount of direct sunlight they receive daily.  

A Global Leader in High-Quality Orchid Supply 

BB Orchids is an orchid nursery in Thailand and a world leader in the supply of high-quality, beautiful orchids. We provide a wide variety of tropical orchids to florists, gardening centers, and event planners worldwide from our Thailand gardens and distribution center. We offer:

• 64 varieties of Adenium orchids
• 50 varieties of Cattleya orchids
• 44 varieties of Oncidium orchids
• 43 varieties of Phalaenopsis orchids 
• 13 varieties of Bulbophyllum orchids
• 343 varieties of Thai Dendrobium orchids
• 11 varieties of Epidendrum orchids
• 25 varieties of Thai orchid flasks
• 68 varieties of Thai Vanda orchids 
• 44 varieties of Mokara orchids
• 1 variety of Encyclia orchid 

Browse through our extensive variety of exotic orchids. Our orchids are cultivated with expert care to ensure the delivery of healthy and vibrant plants to your location. 

Whether you manage or own a small flower shop or a major gardening supply business, every business can benefit from the addition of these colorful, graceful, and beautiful tropical orchids. We can help you choose the best varieties of orchids to carry for the climate in your part of the world. We can also provide helpful tips for keeping the varieties of orchids you choose healthy and flowering. Become a partner with BBB Orchids and explore the world of orchids we offer for your customers.