Plant Care Jewel Orchid

Jewel Orchid

4.7 out of 5 (19 experiences)

Jewel Orchid has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Jewel Orchid has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

About Jewel Orchid

While most orchids are grown for their distinct flowers, the shade-loving Jewel Orchid is known for its leaves and medicinal uses. This species is the only member of the genus Ludisia, and the name 'discolor' means two different colors, referring to its dark velvet leaves with pink parallel veins. When in bloom it grows a tall inflorescence of small white flowers with bright yellow anthers inside. This orchid is a terrestrial orchid - it grows on the forest floor, unlike most orchids which are epiphytes that grow on trees.

Taxonomy

Ludisia discolor
Ludisia
Orchidaceae
Asparagales

How to care for Jewel Orchid

💦 Water

How often to water your Jewel Orchid

Water needs for Jewel Orchid
0.5 cups
every 9

Jewel Orchid needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Jewel Orchid

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Jewel Orchid in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Jewel Orchid: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Jewel Orchid may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Jewel Orchid in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Jewel Orchid

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Jewel Orchid: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Jewel Orchid after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #JewelOrchid
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Jewel Orchid is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Jewel Orchid →


💦 Water Needs

Jewel Orchid prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Jewel Orchid Water Frequency →

Jewel Orchid Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Jewel Orchid may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Jewel Orchid is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Jewel Orchid Toxicity to Cats →

Jewel Orchid Toxicity to Dogs →


💨 Humidity

Jewel Orchid doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.


🪴 Soil

Jewel Orchid does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Jewel Orchid →

When and How to Successfully Repot Jewel Orchid →


💩 Fertilizer

Jewel Orchid should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


🌎 Native Region

Jewel Orchid is native to Southeast Asia.


🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Jewel Orchid bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Jewel Orchid Flowers →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Jewel Orchid can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.


🌱 Propagation

Jewel Orchid can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

  • Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
  • To get the cutting to root, you can either:
    • Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
    • Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

How to Propagate Jewel Orchid →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Jewel Orchid, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Jewel Orchid

Jewel Orchid

Jewel Orchid


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Jewel Orchid has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 9
Jewel Orchid has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 8
Jewel Orchid has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 3
Jewel Orchid has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 3
Jewel Orchid has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 2
Jewel Orchid has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 1
@BoozyBillsBabe avatar
@@BoozyBillsBabe
leaf-1 46 Plants
xp 9,015 XP
globe Baltimore, MD
01/14/2022

Pretty easy to care for. With proper light and watering it may even grow new shoots.

Survivor Survivor
Ness avatar
@Ness
leaf-1 11 Plants
xp 1,453 XP
globe Boroughbridge, England
12/29/2021

My favourite plant

Fast grower Fast grower
Blooms easily Blooms easily
@MeganO avatar
@@MeganO
leaf-1 43 Plants
xp 20,842 XP
globe Washington, DC
12/27/2021

Super easy, likes indirect light and humidity but not necessary for humidity.

Fast grower Fast grower
@Megan avatar
@@Megan
leaf-1 66 Plants
xp 14,740 XP
globe Washington, DC
11/28/2021

Very easy! I love this plant because the leaves have shiny strips on them. Easy to care for, too. Doesn’t like to get super dry.

@Hortiguy86 avatar
@@Hortiguy86
leaf-1 12 Plants
xp 139 XP
globe Pekin, IL
10/24/2021

Beautiful blooms

Survivor Survivor
@akeller042 avatar
@@akeller042
leaf-1 5 Plants
xp 86 XP
globe Rochester, NY
10/13/2021

2 words.. fungus gnats 😑

Pest magnet Pest magnet
@SucculentJade avatar
@@SucculentJade
leaf-1 52 Plants
xp 927 XP
07/11/2021

Likes the dark! Usually found on rainforest floors in Asia

Survivor Survivor
Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
@RJG avatar
@@RJG
leaf-1 129 Plants
xp 181,002 XP
globe Austin, TX
05/21/2021

Just a chill plant that is not fussy if you follow Greg’s schedule!

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