Jewel Orchids
Jewel orchids are truly the gems of the orchid family.
While most orchids are grown for their beautiful flowers, jewel orchids are primarily grown for their spectacular foliage.
Most species of jewel orchids produce insignificant flowers but a few, such as Ludisia discolor, produce spikes of small
but attractive white and yellow flowers which are also pleasantly fragrant.
Most of the jewel orchids are found in the warm, humid tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia and throughout the islands of the Indo Pacific region including the remote rain forests of New Guinea and Borneo. There they grow in the leaf litter under the shade of large tropical trees.
A few species in the genus Goodyera grow in the cooler highland cloud forests of Southeast Asia at elevations of 3000 to 7500 feet.
Growing jewel orchids is fairly straightforward. Jewel orchids are terrestrial so they will need to be planted in a substrate that retains moisture but drains well. Premium grade sphagnum alone works very well but commercial terrestrial orchid mixes are also excellent. Give them high humidity, warm temperatures and low light and they will do fine. They make excellent terrarium plants and grow very well under fluorescent lights
When grown as houseplants the challenge is to maintain high humidity. The obvious solution is to grow them in a terrarium or Wardian case. There are however, other options. Many people successfully grow them in their bathroom and have created stunning decorative displays that compliment their existing decor.Regardless of how you display them we think you will find the jewel orchids enchanting and rewarding.
Browse through our Jewel Orchid selections below and click on any image to see a close up.
Anoectochilus chapaensis
A beautiful jewel orchid not often seen in cultivation here in the USA.
Native to the tropical rain forests of Viet Nam. There it grows in dense
shade in the moist leaf litter on well-drained sites with high humidity
and warm temperatures. This Jewel Orchid has beautiful foliage which varies
from a reddish base color to dark green nearly black. The veins are typically
a deep red to nearly white. This is a mid sized jewel orchid with velvety
heart shaped leaves 3 to 5 inches long and up to 4 inches wide. The plant
blooms with small pale yellow to white flowers on a 8-10 inch spike. Like
most Jewel Orchids it is not difficult to grow if the substrate is moist
and well drained and if it is kept warm. Will grow very well if planted
in a quality terrestrial orchid mix or even a good grade of sphagnum moss.
Makes an excellent terrarium plant or houseplant. Sold as a well established,
mature plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-ACH3 Status: In Stock Price: $18.00 ea.
Ludisia discolor
A classic old favorite Jewel Orchid that's great for beginners. It prefers
medium to low light and high humidity. Native to S.E. Asia. This is a
low spreading plant with 3" elliptic maroon leaves that have metallic
red to gold veins. Forms small white flowers on twisted yellow columns
that are held upright. This is also an ideal terrarium orchid since it
remains small and thrives on high humidity and warm temperatures. Easy
to grow. Sold as a well established plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-JO3 Status: In Stock Price: $8.00
Ludisia discolor var. 'Nigrescens' ( Black Velvet Jewel Orchid )
Although it often referred to by the species name 'nigrescens' this is
probably not a valid name since no scientific reference can be found to
validate this. (Currently it is classified as a naturally occurring mutation
of Ludisia discolor.) Nevertheless, this is a beautiful Jewel Orchid with
leaves such a deep green as to appear almost black. Usually one thin silver/gold
stripe bisects the length of each leaf but sometimes the stripe may be
totally absent. The leaf texture is very soft and velvety. Requirements,
growth and flowering are identical to Ludisia discolor but this one is
a bit slower growing. Sold as a well established individual plant in a
3 inch pot.
Item # BVJO3 Status: In Stock Price: $15.00
Ludisia discolor var. 'Alba' (Rare!)
This is another rare, naturally occuring mutation of Ludisia discolor
from S.E. Asia. In this form all the red coloration is absent resulting
in a nice bright green base color with silvery white veins. Flowers are
the same as the normal Ludisia. Care and culture is identical to Ludisia
discolor. Sold as a well started individual plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-ALBA3 Status: Temporarily Out Price : $
Macodes - Ludisia hybrid (Macodes sanderianum-X- Ludisia discolor 'Alba')
A beautiful cross of two rare Jewel Orchid species. In this hybrid we
have the nice wide thick leaves of M. sanderianum combined with the silvery
white veins and velvety green of Ludisia 'Alba'. Mature plants often develop
nice golden yellow streaks from their Macodes sanderianum parentage. Care
and culture is identical to Ludisia discolor. A nice addition to any Jewel
Orchid collection. Sold as a nice nearly mature plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-ALBHYB3 Status: Temp. Out of Stock Price: $18.00
Macodes petola
This interesting Jewel Orchid has beautiful foliage which is difficult
to capture in a photo. The veins actually look like metallic gold thread
woven through the light green leaves. Native to Malaysia and New Guinea
it is found in the lowland tropical rain forests in dense shade growing
in moist leaf litter and soil on well-drained sites with high humidity
and warm temperatures. The plant blooms with small, insignificant flowers
on an 8 inch inflorescence. A bit less forgiving than Ludisia but not
difficult if the substrate is well drained and if it is kept warm. Sold
as a well established plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-MACPET3 Status: In Stock Price: $15.00
Macodes lowii
This is a somewhat rare Jewel Orchid from the Borneo rainforests where it grows in the leaf litter.
The copper veined leaves reach a length of about 3 inches , to 2.75 inches wide.
Care and culture is about the same as M. petola above.
Should be grown a bit drier during winter. Makes a great terrarium specimen.
Sold as a young plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-MACLOW3 Status: In Stock Price: $20.00
