Jewel orchid care guide

Most orchids are grown for flowers. The jewel orchid is grown for its leaves: velvety, deep burgundy, almost black, with fine pink veins that shimmer in the light. It also blooms in winter with spikes of small white flowers. Unlike most orchids, it grows in soil and roots from a cutting in a glass of water.

Light

Give it medium light, such as a spot near a north or east window. It grows in lower light than most orchids.

Direct sun bleaches and scorches the dark leaves. Too little light makes the stems stretch.

Water

Keep the soil a little moist, never soggy. Water when the top 2 cm (1 in) is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.

Soft, mushy stems mean too much water. Wrinkled, droopy leaves mean too little. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

It grows on the forest floor, not on trees. Use a light potting mix with orchid bark and perlite, or plain sphagnum moss. A wide, shallow pot suits its creeping stems.

Repot every year or two in spring. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

It likes humid air. A bright bathroom, a humidifier, or a terrarium helps. Keep it between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F).

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced or orchid fertilizer at quarter strength. Too much fertilizer burns the roots.

Flowers

Jewel orchids bloom in late fall and winter with upright spikes of small white flowers with yellow centers. Cooler fall nights help it set buds. After the flowers fade, cut the spike off at the base. The stem that bloomed stops growing and branches below.

Pruning

Pinch or cut long stems to keep it full. Use the pieces to start new plants.

Propagation

Jewel orchids root fast.

1. Cut a stem piece with two or three nodes.
2. Set it in water, or lay it on damp sphagnum moss.
3. Roots grow in two to four weeks.
4. Pot it up once roots are 2 to 3 cm (1 in) long.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Soft, mushy stems	Too much water
Droopy, wrinkled leaves	Too dry
Faded, scorched leaves	Too much direct light
Long, leggy stems	Not enough light, or old growth after blooming
Crispy leaf edges	Dry air

Pests

Mealybugs and fungus gnats can show up. Read how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists jewel orchid as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Varieties

• Classic jewel orchid has dark burgundy, velvety leaves with pink veins.
• ‘Alba’ has green leaves with white veins.
• ‘Nigrescens’ has near-black leaves with fine silver lines.
• Lightning bolt jewel orchid, Macodes petola, has gold, zigzag veins. It is a different plant and fussier.