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 4 inch pot.
Item # TP-ACH3 Status: In Stock Price: $18.00 ea.
Anoectochilus roxburghii (Thai-Viet)
This is a neat mini jewel orchid which stays rather compact.
It is a native of the highland forests of Thailland and Viet Nam where it grows at elevations of 3000 to 5000 feet. This species is typically found growing in shady locations in rich moist soil near waterfalls, rivers and streams.
The beautiful foliage is a velvety dark green with coppery red veins. The heart shaped leaves are about 1 to 1.5 inches long. The plant blooms with tiny white flowers on a 8-10 inch spike.
Will grow very well if planted in a quality terrestrial orchid mix or even a good grade of sphagnum moss.
Sold as a well established plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-AROX3 Status: Out of Stock Price:
Anoectochilus roxburghii (India)
This is the same species as above but is cultured from parent plants that originated in India.
There is enough of a difference in color and vein pattern to offer it separately.
Care and culture is identical to the above.
Sold as a well established plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-AROXIND3 Status: In Stock Price: $18.00
Anoectochilus formosanus
This beautiful little jewel orchid is native to the island of Formosa as its scientific name implies.
It grows primarily in the leaf litter of the shady forests.
This is a warm growing species that prefers high humidity.
Interestingly this orchid has medicinal qualities and is used as a
folk medicine in Asia for various remedies including treatment of hepatitis, hypertension and cancer.
It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity.
Here in the West it is grown primarily for its attractive foliage.
The beautiful foliage is a velvety dark green with silvery white veins.
The heart shaped leaves are about 1 to 1.5 inches long.
The plant blooms with tiny white and yellow flowers on a 6-7 inch spike.
Will grow very well if planted in a quality terrestrial orchid mix or even a good grade of sphagnum moss.
Sold as a well established plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TTP-AFORM3 Status: In Stock Price: $15.00
Goodyera schlectendaliana (Mountain Jewel Orchid )
This is a rarely cultivated, beautiful Jewel Orchid grown mostly for its attractive foliage.
Grows to about 3 or 4 inches tall.
Blooms in late spring when it will send up a 4 inch spike bearing several cream colored, tiny flowers.
This terrestrial orchid is native to S.E. Asia and Japan.
There it grows in the humid lowland forests as well as the peaks of high mountains in the highland
cloud forests at elevations of 3000 to 7500 feet.
In culture it will grow in warm to cool temperatures and low light.
Will grow very well planted in plain moist sphagnum moss.
Makes an excellent terrarium plant or houseplant.
Sold as a nearly mature blooming size plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TP-GDYS3 Status: In Stock Price: $15.00
Goodyera hispida
This is another, compact beautiful Jewel Orchid grown mostly for its attractive foliage.
The foliage is iridescent and more intricately marked than Goodyera schlectendaliana. Grows to about 3 inches tall.
Blooms in late spring when it will send up a 4 inch spike bearing several tiny white flowers.
This terrestrial orchid is native to S.E. Asia and India.
There it grows primarily in the humid lowland forests and at elevations up to 1500 feet.
In culture it will require warm temperatures and low light. Will grow very well planted in plain moist sphagnum moss.
Makes an excellent terrarium plant or houseplant.
Sold as a nearly mature plant in a 3 inch pot.
Item # TTP-GDYH3 Status: Out of Stock Price:
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 4 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 4 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 in a 4 inch pot with at least two plants that are slightly
smaller than than the one in the photo. Very limited quantities at this time.
Item # TP-ALBA3 Status :In Stock Price : $18.00
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 4 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
Dossinia marmorata var Dayii(Rare!)
This Jewel Orchid is prized for its beautiful green and purple foliage with metallic silver, gold and copper veins.
The leaves have a velvety surface texture and often have a splash of bright gold near the stem.
These plants look absolutely stunning under full spectrum fluorescent lighting.
Native to deep, lowland tropical rain forests of Borneo.
There it grows in dense shade in the moist leaf litter on well-drained sites with high humidity and warm temperatures.
This is one of the larger of the jewel orchids with thick leaves 4 to 6 inches long and up to 4 inches wide.
The plant blooms with
small, insignificant flowers on a 10 inch spike.
Despite its rather large leaves it does not grow very tall and seldom exceeds 6 to 7 inches in height.
Not difficult to grow if the substrate is moist and well drained and if it is kept warm.
In culture it requires warm temperatures
and medium to low light.
Will grow very well 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 plant in a 4 inch pot.
Item # TP-DOS3 Status: Out of Stock Price:$40.00 ea.
Dossinia marmorata
This is another highly desirable jewel orchid for the serious collector.
It is one of several recognized color variations for this species.
This variation is prized for its beautiful purple foliage with metallic copper veins.
The leaves have a velvety surface texture. As with most Jewel Orchids, full spectrum fluorescent
lighting brings out the best color. Native to deep, lowland tropical rain forests of Borneo.
There it grows in dense shade in the moist leaf litter on well-drained sites with high humidity and warm temperatures.
This is one of the larger of the jewel orchids with thick leaves 4 to 6 inches long and up to 4 inches wide.
The plant blooms with small, insignificant flowers on a 10 inch spike.
Despite its rather large leaves it does not grow very tall and seldom exceeds 6 to 7 inches in height.
Not difficult to grow if the substrate is moist and well drained and if it is kept warm. In culture it requires warm temperatures and medium to low light. Will grow very well 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 young plant in a 3 inch pot.
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