No orchid can endure the blazing midday sun for a long period of time. In this respect, the queen of flowers from the distant rainforest is not willing to compromise. Some selected orchid genera easily accept slightly shady locations on the windowsill or in the bed. You can find out what these are here.
Which types of orchids like shade?
Some shade-tolerant orchid species for the windowsill are Brassia, Masdevallia, Miltonia and Odontoglossum. In the garden, Cypripedium calceolus, Dactylorhiza, Epipactis and Pleione thrive well in slightly shady locations. A high humidity of 60-80% is important for all types of orchids.
Exotic floral splendor on the north window sill - these orchids show their presence here
If the best seats on the bright east and west window sills are occupied, the coveted gaze turns to the shadier flower bench on the north window. The following genera and their species still feel comfortable in light shade:
- Brassia (spider orchid)
- Masdevallia (one of the few cold house orchids)
- Miltonia (pansy orchid)
- Odontoglossum (tooth-tongue orchid)
Phalaenopsis orchids are only partially suitable for the north window, provided there are bright lighting conditions. In addition, the broad genus of Bulbophyllum orchids provides you with more than 1.800 species a variety of suitable candidates for low-light window seats.
A selection of shade-tolerant orchids for the garden bed
The following orchid genera and species delight outdoors in partially shaded to low-light locations. Since they are all native to Germany, they also have a robust winter hardiness:
- Cypripedium calceolus (Yellow Lady's Slipper) - the only native lady's slipper species
- Dactylorhiza (orchid) – with more than 40 shade-tolerant species
- Epipactis (Stendelwort) – the ideal forest and meadow orchid that also thrives in swampy biotopes
- Pleione (mountain orchid) – which likes to spend the winter in frost-free quarters
The prime example of shade-tolerant garden orchids is the magnificent Orchis genus. These orchids love a place in deciduous forests or in bushy, poor meadows. The easy-to-care for terrestrial orchids take on a stately habit over time, so that they stand out as impressive solitaires in low-light, protected beds.
Tip
Regardless of whether orchids like light or shade as houseplants, they don't want to do without high humidity. It should be a humidity of 60 to 80 percent. To guarantee the value during the heating season, humidifiers (€49.00 on Amazon) or water bowls are a simple and inexpensive solution. Spraying with soft water is part of the daily care ritual.