How to care for Jewel Orchid
Ludisia discolor · Orchidaceae
An unusual terrestrial orchid grown for its foliage: near-black velvet leaves etched with glowing pink-red pinstripes. Unlike most orchids it grows in soil, tolerates lower light, and is genuinely easy indoors. In winter it adds a bonus of spikes of small white flowers. Water roughly every 5 days while it's growing (about every 9 in winter), give it a bright room away from the window, kept above 59°F (15°C) — average room humidity suits it.
Care at a glance
Keep the loose, airy mix lightly moist, watering when the surface dries; never let it sit in standing water.
Gentle light away from direct sun preserves the dark velvet look; strong sun bleaches and burns the leaves.
Quarter- to half-strength balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth.
Mistakes that kill this plant
- Planting it in heavy soil that stays wet and rots the creeping stems.
- Placing it in direct sunlight like a typical orchid on a sunny sill.
- Letting it freeze or chill below about 15 C.
Seasonal tips
- Enjoy the white flower spikes in winter, then trim them once spent.
- Refresh the airy mix every couple of years, planting stems shallowly.
- Root stem cuttings in moist sphagnum for easy new plants.
Is it safe for pets?
Our records list Jewel Orchid as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Full pet-safety details for cats & dogsCare for your Jewel Orchid on autopilot
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Toxicity here is informational, not a safety guarantee. Those are our own records, compiled by following the ASPCA's published toxic and non-toxic plant lists and Pet Poison Helpline's plant poison list rather than copied from them — confirm anything that matters against the ASPCA's published lists, which this one is matched to, or with your vet. If your pet ingested this plant, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.