Jewel Orchid Care Instructions - All 3 Genus

Jewel Orchids is a term for three orchid genera, Ludisia, Anoectochilus, and Macodes, that come from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands known for their velvety variegated (colorful patterned) leaves. Unlike other orchids that are epiphytes, Jewel Orchids are terrestrials that grow in soil and thrive in shallow dishes making them perfect for terrariums. 

Like other orchids, these plants still produce a flowering spike after maturity, but the colorful leaves are the star of the show for Jewel Orchids vs. the flowers. 

Terrestrial orchids are easy to care for perennial houseplants that can tolerate low light. Whether you’re a seasoned Orchid enthusiast or a novice collector, these gems add streaks of color making them showpieces for your terrariums. This guide walks you through watering, sunlight, and diagnosing common issues for a Jewel Orchid. 

Most Jewel Orchids are native to the tropical forests of countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including Myanmar, Southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, India, and Indonesia. Marble Orchids which can be a type of Jewel Orchid are also native to Australia, Hawaii, and New Guinea. 

The main difference between Jewel Orchids and the houseplant with flowers is they like to creep (grow horizontally) in the damp shade of the forest floor on the leaf litter at elevations of 1650-3000 ft (500-1000m) vs. growing upwards and climbing for sunlight. The forest floor is where they form clumps of foliage that serve as ground cover for small animals like mice and squirrels. 

This natural habitat is why terrariums and offices or cubicles with little to no natural light are a perfect place to grow Jewel Orchids. The atmosphere is more similar to one under the tropical forest canopy. But make sure you have a jewel orchid as some Peperomia and Begonia may look similar, and Jewel Orchid need to be treated differently when they’re unwell.

Jewel Orchids have a ton of nicknames, but identifying the main grouping is easy when you know what patterns each have.

• Ludisia discolor has the signature stripes up and down the length of the foliage. 

• Anoectochilus has marbled lines that criss and cross creating a marbled appearance of the green foliage.

• Filigreed, or Golden Jewel Orchids have golden variegation and cover 50 different species. 

• Macodes contain lightning strike patterns coming off the main lines within the variegation.

Now that you know what to look for in the variegation, here’s how to make sure the plant you’re caring for is in fact a Jewel Orchid. 

Fun Fact: Anoectochilus sandvicensis is native to Hawaii and locally known as Honohono. 

Jewel Orchids are targets for conservation in their native forests due to deforestation, illegal trade, and habitat loss, and are included within the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) laws. This means they cannot be traded internationally without CITES permits. 

Species like Anoectochilus elatus and Anoectochilus sandvicensis are currently listed by the IUCN Red List as near-threatened and vulnerable, respectively. When buying Jewel orchids, it is important to only obtain them from reputable sources, especially internationally, to remain compliant with international and national regulations.

Healthy Jewel orchids will have a thick firm stem, spreading rhizomatous roots and large leaves. By following the instructions below, your foliage will thrive whether you grow them alone as a potted plant, or in a terrarium. 

Repot every 2-3 years in the spring in a wider shaped pot rather than taller pot that is one size bigger if your orchid becomes top-heavy and wobbly, overcrowded, or the roots are tangled and exposed. Terrestrial Orchids are creepers with rhizomatous roots that like to grow horizontally which is why wide and shallow pots work better for their growing habits. 

Unexplained stunted growth, Soft brown shoots, where the plant is retaining extra water, and leaf drop can also indicate it’s time to repot. 

Provide 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight to your Jewel Orchid. Try an East-facing window that receives no direct sun throughout the day, or by a window where the light is filtered using a gauze curtain or shade cloth.

While they like low light and can tolerate shade, do not place them in dark areas as that can cause the leaves to produce more chlorophyll causing them to lose their variegation. Avoid direct sunlight that can scorch the leaves causing leafburn (browning or yellowing that makes the leaf look burnt). 

Pro-Tip: If your plant is growing towards the window, it needs to be moved to a brighter area to access more light. 

Water every 7 days when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry and soak well, allowing excess to escape from the drainage holes. The key is to check if the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry when you put your finger into the soil before watering. Only the top few inches should feel dry, do not allow the soil to completely dry out as that can cause leaf discoloration and leaf drop. 

If you have a rapid loss of flowers, see dry sunken leaves, or your plant appears leggy, your Jewel Orchid is thirsty and you may need to increase your watering schedule. Macodes are the least tolerant to drought and enjoy higher moisture, so transplant them into a terrarium with a moss layer that is kept consistently moist. Do not allow your orchid to sit in water as that can lead to root rot.

Pro-tip: Use room-temperature filtered water to avoid shock caused by cold water and damage from the chlorine, minerals, and added chemicals. 

Maintain humidity levels between 50-70% for optimal health, but the 30% to 50% range in the average house should be fine. 

To increase humidity try:

• Adding a humidifier with a built-in humidistat in the room

• Plant groupings

• Growing them in the kitchen or bathroom

• A pebble tray with water under the pot 

Closed terrariums will also provide an environment with higher humidity as they will retain moisture. 

60-85°F (15-30 °C), typical home conditions, should be maintained, but Jewel Orchids can tolerate up to 95°F (35 °C) in the summer so don’t panic if your A/C goes out for a day. Duroing winter we recommend keeping the temperature above 50°F (10°F) as colder temperatures can shock the plant and stunt its growth or lead to death.

Pot bound plants are more likely to bloom in the fall, winter or early spring after a dormancy period in the summer, as the environment provides the right amount of stress for flowering. 

Pro-Tip: You can also promote blooming by turning down the temperature and eliminating artificial lights at night (remaining above 50°F). 

When your orchid blooms, prune the flowers as they begin to wilt, and after flowering finishes, cut off the flowering stalk at the base with sharp, sanitized shears. To promote more lush foliage, you can also pinch off the flower stalk as soon as it appears (before blooming). 

If you see bud blast, which is the sudden withering, drying, or dropping of orchid buds before they bloom, this is a sign of overwatering. Reduce watering frequency to only watering when the top inch of potting mix feels dry. 

If you are having issues with leaves dropping or discoloration, don’t panic. Jewel Orchids are hearty plants and they will likely recover. If you’re having issues, remember to inspect every part of the plant including the roots, as dry roots can cause stunted growth. Here are some of the most common causes of illness in Jewel Orchids, along with steps to treat them. 

Browning and Yellowing

Expect some leaf browning and leaf drop as the plant adjusts to new environments; this is a normal sign of stress as long as the leaf recovers. Lower leaves are also more likely to brown and can be removed by cutting the leaf about 5cm from the stem. 

If the leaves are turning yellow and the stems appear black, try reducing watering frequency. Your Jewel Orchid may also start dropping leaves if it's overwatered. Check the top few inches of your potting mix to make sure it isn’t waterlogged. Remove the discolored leaves to promote foliage growth and prevent a leggy appearance. 

As this orchid matures, older leaves also naturally start to turn yellow. Once there are no more green parts of the leaf, it can be pruned to promote new growth. If it's a single leaf yellowing at a time, it’s more likely to be aging compared to the plant as a whole turning yellow. If this happens, reduce the watering frequency and check for bacterial or fungal growth. 

Yellow leaf edges can also be a sign of shock due to watering with cold water. Use room temperature water instead. 

Shriveling and Brown Crispy Leaves

If the leaves are curling inwards, shriveling, turning brown, or drooping, check if the soil is too dry. The stem may also lay down if the plant is underwatered. Add water to the soil until it feels damp but not wet, and until water begins draining from the bottom of the pot. 

Brown crispy leaves may also be due to low humidity. Check that your room’s humidity is between 50% and 70%, and your Jewel Orchid is not next to a vent, heater, or fan.

Losing Vibrance and Turning Green

If the leaves start to appear more green, the issue is dim lighting and the plant needs to be moved closer to a window with brighter lighting or spend more time in the light. Jewel orchids with alternatively colored leaves, like the rust colored Ludisia Discolor, will become greener as they produce more chlorophyll, increasing their efficiency at absorbing light to compensate for decreased availability. 

For overall pale leaves, the issue is too much direct light, which causes the leaf color to fade by reducing chlorophyll production as a protective mechanism. Move the plant out of direct sunlight or into the shade, and it should regain its original coloring. You can also switch to artificial grow lights scheduled to provide light for 12 hours a day, until the plant recovers. 

Loss of color or brown spots that look burnt along the edges that progressively worsen combined with drooping leaves are signs of leaf burn. 

If you notice these signs:

1. Move the pot to a position with only indirect light.

2. Prune any leaves that appear mostly brown/badly damaged to help the plant focus on new growth.

3. Ensure the soil remains adequately watered.

Jewel orchids have rhizomatous roots that are prone to root rot if left in soggy soil where water fills the air pockets in the pot, promoting fungal and bacterial growth. Black spots on the leaves, collapsed or wilted appearing leaves, and a foul smell will be your first indications of root rot. 

If you suspect root rot, remove your plant from the pot and:

1. Trim any rotting or dead roots with sharp, sanitized shears. If it is discolored, smells or feels squishy, trim! 

2. Treat the roots and pot with a hydrogen peroxide solution (3 parts water to 1 part peroxide) or plant-safe fungicide to get rid of the bacteria. 

3.  Re-pot in a new well-draining potting mix, ensuring the pot has holes in the bottom for proper drainage.

Jewel orchids prefer a well-draining soil with lots of chunky media like perlite, pine bark and coco coir, to prevent soggy soil and allow the roots to aerate. As these are not epiphytes like traditional Orchids, avoid orchid compost or orchid mix as that has too high a ratio of bark for these terrestrial plants. 

Our signature blend of potting mix Dirt Bag is designed specifically for plants that are susceptible to root rot and provide ample nutrients for growth. 

Jewel Orchids are light feeders and can thrive with minimal fertilization. 

• Dilute to half-strength in the growing season (Spring and Summer) and apply every 2-4 weeks

• Avoid fertilizing in the fall and winter and when the plant is flowering. 

Jewel orchids are also Foliar Feeders, meaning they can absorb nutrients through their leaves, so you can put liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength in a spray bottle and lightly mist once a month during the growing season. For plants recovering from root rot, this can assist recovery by providing an alternative nutrient source while the roots regenerate. 

Jewel orchids are the “jewel” of a terrarium or potted collection. Now you know how to keep yours thriving so it can be the star of your display.