Orchid location
The best location for orchids
When you have bought a beautiful orchid, you naturally want to enjoy the stunning flowers in your favorite color for as long as possible. That’s why the right care and location are very important to make your new orchid feel as comfortable as possible.
But where do you place an orchid? What can an orchid not tolerate and what does it actually like? Especially for those questions, we have once again collected all the tips from our grower Rob to give you answers in this blog. Read on!
✔️ Avoid full sun
✔️ Avoid cold
✔️ Avoid drafts
✔️ Not next to a fruit basket
✔️ Not next to a blasting heater
Where is the best place to put my orchid?
The best location for an orchid is in a bright spot, but not in full sun for too long. In terms of warmth, the plant likes room temperatures between 17 and 22 degrees. In principle, this is possible in almost every living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.
It could also work in the attic, provided it doesn’t get too cold in winter or autumn (or too warm in summer or spring). Orchids therefore do not like drafts or a blasting radiator.
TIP | Never place your orchid next to a fruit bowl. Many types of fruit release a natural substance called ethylene. This substance can speed up the aging process of the orchid. This causes the orchid to lose its beautiful leaves faster, and you don’t want that. 
Can an orchid be in the sun?
An orchid can be in the sun for a short while, but be careful! Too much direct sunlight is harmful to the leaves and flowers. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves, and they will not recover.
TIP | Direct sunlight is unfiltered. If you would still like to place your orchid in front of a south-facing window or in another spot with a lot of direct sunlight, this is possible if you hang a sheer curtain in front of it.
How much sun does an orchid need then?
Indirect sunlight is what the orchid likes best. The orchid loves a bright spot. This gives it a lot of energy, allowing it to grow well and extending the flowering period. Therefore, try to avoid direct sunlight to prevent damage.
Can’t avoid the orchid being in the sun for a short while? Try to ensure this is no longer than 30 continuous minutes. Especially during summer afternoons when the sun is strongest. In winter, morning, or evening, it could be longer, but even then: preferably not!
Can an orchid be in the shade?
An orchid can be in the shade, provided that enough indirect sunlight still reaches the orchid during the day. A dark corner in the room is therefore not a good idea, as there is too little light. As a rule, you can aim for 6 hours of indirect sunlight per day.
Can an orchid be in front of the window?
Whether an orchid can be in front of the window depends on the placement of the window. Assuming there are no sheer curtains in front of the window, you can keep the following distances in mind:
- For a south-facing window: at least 2 meters distance
- For an east-facing window: can be placed directly in front of the window, this is a perfect spot for the orchid
- For a west-facing window: 1 to 2 meters distance, due to the bright late afternoon sun
- For a north-facing window: directly in front of the window, but that might still be too little, as this is where there is the least sunlight
Can an orchid be in the bathroom?
Certainly! Provided there is enough sunlight in the bathroom. Orchids originate from the tropics, where the humidity in the environment is very high due to frequent rain. The bathroom is therefore a wonderful place for the orchid.
Can an orchid tolerate heat?
An orchid can tolerate heat just fine, as long as the plant (here it is again): is not in full sun. It is more important to protect the orchid from the cold. The ideal temperature for the orchid is between 17 and 22 degrees.
Can an orchid be placed above the heater?
No, do not place your orchid above or next to the heater when it is on. The warm radiator air creates drier air, which the orchid does not like. In the colder winter months, the air in the house often becomes drier. To make your orchid feel more at home, you can do two things.
- Mist your orchid with a plant sprayer. This ensures that the humidity increases. Only spray on the leaves. You can also spray on the buds, but be careful not to hit the flowers, as they don’t like it as much.
- Place a bowl of water on the heater. This causes the water to evaporate in the house, increasing the humidity. This option has another nice bonus: almost all plants appreciate this!
More tips for orchid care?
Did you find this article educational and want to know even more about how to best care for your favorite houseplant? For example, the right amount of water, the correct use of nutrition, where to cut the stem, how moist the soil should be, and what influence orchids can have on pets? Our grower Rob has given even more tips for the best orchid care. Read them all here: