It’s hard to imagine a cozy home without the vibrant, exotic pop of an orchid on the windowsill. These beauties are everywhere these days, but if you want yours to truly thrive and show off those stunning blooms, picking the right spot is key. To keep your orchid happy, you’ve got to think like a plant living in the wild.
Where Orchids Come From
Even though they’re common house guests now, orchids are still tropical souls at heart. Their original homes are the lush rainforests of the tropics and subtropics. In the wild, they actually perch high up in the canopy of massive jungle trees. The thick leaves above them act like a natural umbrella, giving them plenty of light while shielding them from the harshest rays. To get the best results at home, your goal is to recreate that “treetop” vibe as much as possible.
The Perfect Setup
For an orchid to feel at home and produce those gorgeous flower spikes, you need to check three main boxes:
- Plenty of light
- Toasty temperatures
- High humidity
Finding the Light
Orchids are sun-seekers and love a bright spot with lots of natural daylight. However, they aren’t big fans of the intense, scorching midday sun. East- or west-facing windowsills are usually the “Goldilocks” zones—just right. If you have a south-facing window, you can still put your orchids there, just make sure to use a sheer curtain or a blind to filter that heavy afternoon heat.
Want to display your orchid on a table in the middle of the room? You totally can! Just try to keep it within about three feet of a window. Any further away, and your exotic beauty might start struggling to get the energy it needs to bloom.
The Right Temperature
Since they hail from the tropics, orchids love to stay warm. They’re happiest when it’s around 77°F (25°C). During the winter, try to make sure the temperature doesn’t dip below 65°F (18°C), or they might get a bit of a chill.
Boosting the Humidity
Mimicking a tropical climate means keeping things steamy. Orchids love humidity levels of at least 60%, though they certainly won’t complain if it’s higher! This is why your bathroom is often the perfect VIP lounge for an orchid—the steam from your morning shower provides exactly the kind of damp air they crave.
Orchids That Don’t Mind the Shade
While most orchids are sun worshippers, there are a few varieties that are a bit more shade-tolerant. If you have a north-facing window that doesn’t get much direct light, look for species like Miltonia, Masdevallia, Odontoglossum, or Brassia. The ever-popular Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) can survive in a north window, but it might not bloom as often or as vigorously as it would in a brighter spot.
