With over 100,000 hybrids created through centuries of careful cultivation, there are few houseplants more altered by humans than the Orchid. Yet, despite all that care and handling, most Orchid plants are still tricky to grow in the average household environment. If you’re already going to make a protected area in your home to help an Orchid thrive, you might as well choose its placement based on energetic principles like Feng Shui. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the best position for Orchid plants in the home.
- Where to Position Orchids in the Home – The Essentials
- About Orchid Plants
- Orchid Plants and Feng Shui
- Where to Position Orchids in the Home According to Feng Shui
- Where Not to Place Orchids in the Home
- Where to Place Orchids Outdoors
- Essential Orchid Plant Care
- Where to Position Orchids FAQs:
- Where to Position Orchids – The Final Word
Where to Position Orchids in the Home – The Essentials
The best position for Orchids is a room in the south to the southeastern part of the home. This is true in both Feng Shui practices and for practical care reasons since Orchids need plenty of bright, indirect light to thrive. Keep Orchids away from drafts as well, as they won’t tolerate cold chills.
About Orchid Plants
While there are believed to be over 100,000 cultivars formed through human intervention, there are also at least 30,000 Orchid species growing in the wild. That makes the Orchidaceae family the largest in the world, according to current scientific records.
Most Orchid varieties, especially those grown as houseplants, are native to tropical regions worldwide. However, Orchids are found in almost every part of the world except for Antarctica.
Some Orchids have tiny flowers arranged in a spray, but most have nickel-sized or larger blooms with at least three brightly colored petals. Another three leaf-colored petals known as sepals complete the six-petaled flower, regardless of bloom size. Orchid plants offer a host of uses and benefits as well, in addition to their ornamental value.
The colorful orchid varieties that tend to be grown as houseplants are native to rainforest areas where they grow as epiphytes. This means they grow in a pocket of soil trapped between rocks or nestled in the branch of a mature tree.
Supplying the proper humidity and soil moisture to an Orchid plant can be tricky, so make sure you choose a placement with the plant’s preferred conditions in mind. Dry or hot areas may cause the Orchid to struggle to retain moisture no matter how often you mist or water these plants (we generally recommend not watering orchids with ice cubes).
Supplying too much water will only lead to root rot since these plants live in very well-drained areas, even in humid rainforests.
Some of the Orchid species most popular as houseplants include members of genera like Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Cymbidium, Cymbidium, and Cattleya.
Orchid Plants and Feng Shui
An ancient practice of harmonizing energy first practice in China, Feng Shui is now used around the world for arranging residential and commercial decor. The full practice goes far beyond just the placement of house plants or furniture and into the placement of structures on the land itself, although it started out centuries ago as a set of rules for tomb arrangement.
Live plants, especially those that bloom, play a symbolic role in the art of Feng Shui. Orchids are excellent for representing the energy of growth, wealth, creativity, and expansion inside the home. The plant’s rounded petals and bright colors ensure playfulness while increasing the floor of energy throughout the home.
In Chinese culture, orchids symbolize refinement, elegance, and wealth. It’s also a common symbol of marriage and the bond between partners. It’s a meaningful addition to the home where you want to smooth out your relationship and encourage warm feelings between you and your partner.
Orchids symbolize unity, making them a good choice for roommates and family members alike. In a more general capacity, Orchids tend to symbolize beauty and joy. It’s a versatile addition to any Feng Shui decorating plan.
Where to Position Orchids in the Home According to Feng Shui
The placement of home decor details within the practice of Feng Shui is based on a diagram known as the Bagua. This type of map is orientated in the northern direction and overlaid over the home’s floorplan.
Each part of the home is then matched to the energy it best represents. Living plants like potted Orchids are considered a symbol of the wood element. Wood element items bring in expanding, growing, and stabilizing energy. This means that live plants are only appropriate for some parts of the home, at least according to the Bagua. Modern Feng Shui practices orientate the Bagua more simply, but the sectors where live plants work remain the same in those systems.
The east is considered one of the best parts of the home for placing a plant like an Orchid. Following that, the south and southeastern sectors are also good choices. These parts of the home represent health, reputation, and wealth, respectively.
Adding the positive energy produced by Orchid plants to any of these parts of the home will potentially improve your life while avoiding any issues that might be caused by excess energy in certain parts of the home.
It’s best to keep live plants out of the other parts of the home since they can be too stimulating for more peaceful sectors. However, smaller Orchids are delicate enough that they may work in all parts of the home without interfering with Feng Shui principles.
Where to Position Orchids Based on Their Care Needs
The ideal placement for an indoor orchid aligns with the Feng Shui recommendations based on energy flow.
Orchids need relatively direct sunlight without too much heat, so south and southeastern-facing windows are good choices for them. It’s recommended that you keep them out of west-facing windows because they’re too direct and may burn the plants.
Feng Shui principles also call for keeping live plants out of the west sector of the home. Orchids prefer higher humidity and stable temperatures but don’t need exceptionally high temperatures.
This makes it easy to locate them in most rooms of the home with just a small humidifier or humidity chamber to keep them happy.
Where Not to Place Orchids in the Home
Orchids need bright but not too direct light, which is challenging to provide. Many people place the plants near windows with a western orientation, resulting in sunscald on the leaves and a lack of flowering.
Don’t place Orchids and other live plants in the bedroom if you’re following Feng Shui practices. These plants are considered to generate too much energy for a peaceful sanctuary.
It’s also a good idea to keep them away from entryways for both practical and energetic reasons. The temperature fluctuations and drafts caused by open doors can lead to yellowing orchid leaves, leaf drop and may also cause the loss of focus and energy.
Where to Place Orchids Outdoors
Orchids can grow outdoors in the summer in most climates, but they’re only capable of staying outdoors all year round in the warmest areas of USDA zones 11 and above.
When placing Orchids outdoors, start out in the fully dappled shade and move them slowly into slightly brighter light every few days. Keep them out of the harsh afternoon sun that overwhelms these plants.
Consider a hanging basket under the shade of a tree that doesn’t provide shade that is too dense, so the Orchids grow well in a protected environment.
Essential Orchid Plant Care
Most Orchids only need just above the average home humidity level of 40% to grow well and rebloom throughout the year. They may need slightly higher humidity levels to bloom. Mixed light levels that are bright but indirect are best for this mostly tropical plant.
Orchids need fertilization once a month during the growing season and should only receive a half-strength dose at any time.
The most important feature for growing Orchids, regardless of their type, is well-draining soil (and a suitable potting vessel) that still holds a healthy amount of moisture. Orchid soil mixes are often marketed as Cacti and Orchid products since these two types of plants both share a need for good drainage.
Keep Orchids in slightly undersized pots, allowing them to get mildly rootbound, to encourage them to keep growing rather than stalling out.
In addition, keep an eye out for common orchid bugs, pests, and diseases. With proper care, orchids can live for many years to come.
Where to Position Orchids FAQs:
What room is best for Orchid plants?Â
Living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens in the south to southeastern parts of the home fulfill all the Orchid plants’ needs in most cases. Make sure the light is bright but never too direct.
How far away from the window should an Orchid be?Â
Keep Orchids about one to three feet away from the glass. This prevents temperature fluctuations that stress the plant and reduce the chance of sunburn. Consider mesh or net curtains as well to diffuse the light.
Can I put my Orchid in a corner?Â
In most cases, orchids can be located in a corner with supplemental plant lighting. Corners can be good for protecting these plants from drafts.
Can Orchid plants thrive in low-light environments?Â
No Orchid variety will thrive in low light. If there’s no window available, try a plant light.
Can Orchids tolerate drafts?Â
Orchids are very sensitive to drafts so avoid placing these plants near doorways or drafty windows.
Where to Position Orchids – The Final Word
Before investing in a delicate and beautiful Orchid, ensure you have the right place in the home to keep it. Only with care will an Orchid continue to bloom. Protect your new houseplant with a placement that follows both energetic and practical care principles.
If you’re looking for your next orchid plant, see our in-depth guide to the best plant shops delivering orchids nationwide.
For more, see our essential guide to caring for orchids whilst you’re away or on vacation and everything you need to know about orchid plant care after they finish blooming.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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