Orchid Lighting Instructions

Identify the type of orchid you have to determine its special lighting requirements. Orchids such as Cattleyas and Cymbidiums appreciate bright light, but others -- namely the Paphiopedilum and the Phalaenopsis -- prefer less intense light.

Place the orchid in a brightly-lit windowsill that doesn't receive direct sunlight. An east- or west-facing window is safest. If the orchid is a low-light species, a table near a window in a bright room can keep it from receiving too much sunlight. Alternatively, situate the orchid beneath fluorescent lights that hang 6 to 8 inches above it.

Check the light exposure by placing your hand between the orchid and the incoming light, approximately 1 foot from the orchid's leaves. Your hand should cast a faint shadow for low-light orchids or a clear shadow for high-light orchids, according to the American Orchid Society. If you don't see a shadow at all, move the orchid to a brighter location.

Hang a sheer curtain in a window where the sun beats down on the orchid. This helps prevent heat from damaging leaves and causing unsightly brown spots.

Keep the orchid in the same windowsill spot all day, so it experiences a natural day length. If using artificial lights, keep them on for at least six hours a day -- though you can leave them on for up to 16 hours to ensure the orchid receives a healthy dose of light.

Switch off the lights at night, whether you are using special fluorescent lights or just lighting the room where the orchid resides. While orchids need light to flower, they also need darkness every night, just as they would receive in the wild.