After correct watering, the next most important factor for successfully growing orchids is providing them with the correct kind and amount of light. Ideally, potted orchids would sit in a sunny window or another area where they would receive at least four hours of sunlight a day. Some species can tolerate more direct light for longer periods than others, but this is a reliable rule.

If you have no sunny windowsills for your orchids, however, you can still persuade them to flourish by providing them with light from artificial sources. You can use common fluorescent light bulbs, which are inexpensive and give off a cool light. Some growers have had good results using one cool-white fluorescent bulb and one warm-light fluorescent bulb, which will offer your plants more balanced light. Incandescent bulbs will also work, but since they emit more heat than do fluorescent bulbs, you will need to be careful to avoid getting your plants too hot.

Different species of orchids require different lighting conditions. You will probably have decent success without getting investing a lot of energy in technicalities, but if you want to be more precise, you can check orchid growing guides and websites to find out how many foot-candles of light different species prefer before you set up your artificial lights. You can determine how many foot-candles the spot you’re considering for your plants will get by using an inexpensive light meter to measure the light levels there. Then you can adjust the lighting accordingly by using bulbs with lower wattages, or by using fewer light bulbs in your lighting fixture.

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