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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: OrchidaceaeGenus: Ludisia
Cultivar
Jewel Orchid
Ludisia 'Discolor'
Cultivar: Discolor
The Jewel Orchid, Ludisia discolor, is a unique terrestrial orchid grown primarily for its foliage rather than its flowers. Its leaves are deep, velvety purple to almost black, intricately patterned with shimmering, light-catching veins that range from copper to silver. This slow-growing tropical plant thrives in low to bright indirect light and humid indoor environments.
A stunning terrestrial orchid prized for its dark, velvety foliage with striking copper-colored veins. It is a perfect choice for adding dramatic texture to shaded indoor spaces.
Marketplace packs coming soon
Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.
Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
Agardeni▶
Cultivar Video Coming Soon
See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Grow Jewel Orchid with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Low to medium indirect light; avoid harsh direct sunlight.
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Water
Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged; allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Mature size
6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide.
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Hardiness
11-12 (primarily grown as a houseplant)
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Growth habit
Low-growing, spreading, clumping perennial.
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Plant type
Tropical foliage plant
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
Unlike epiphytic orchids, this species prefers to grow in soil rather than bark. Keep away from cold drafts and direct sun, which can scorch the delicate foliage.
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Climate note
Prefers warm temperatures between 65-80°F; protect from frost and temperatures below 60°F.
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Flower / fruit
Produces slender spikes of tiny, white, fragrant flowers in winter; primarily enjoyed for its foliage.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Low to medium indirect light; avoid harsh direct sunlight.
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Growth rate
Moderate.
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Fertilizer
Apply a balanced liquid orchid fertilizer diluted to half-strength during the active growing season.
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Pruning
Remove spent flower spikes after blooming to encourage vegetative growth; trim straggly stems if the plant becomes too leggy.
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Care notes
Unlike epiphytic orchids, this species prefers to grow in soil rather than bark. Keep away from cold drafts and direct sun, which can scorch the delicate foliage.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide.
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Growth habit
Low-growing, spreading, clumping perennial.
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Spacing
12-15 inches.
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
Produces slender spikes of tiny, white, fragrant flowers in winter; primarily enjoyed for its foliage.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
11-12 (primarily grown as a houseplant)
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Temperature
Prefers warm temperatures between 65-80°F; protect from frost and temperatures below 60°F.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged; allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Soil
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with added perlite or bark for aeration.
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Soil pH
5.5-6.5
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Excellent for container growing; performs best in small to medium pots that accommodate its shallow root system.
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Family
Orchidaceae
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Foliage Look
Dark purple, velvety, ovate leaves with prominent copper or gold veins.
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Foliage Rules
Leaves must be dark purple or bronze-green with distinct, light-colored venation patterns.
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Fruit Flower Look
Spikes of tiny white flowers with yellow centers.
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Fruit Flower Rules
Flowers appear only on elongated, upright spikes; juvenile plants typically do not flower.
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Growth Habit Rules
Maintains a low, creeping habit; do not depict as an upright tree or vine.
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Mature Plant Look
A lush, low-growing clump of dark, textured foliage.
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Mature Stage Morphology
Clumping habit with creeping rhizomes; mature leaves are dark, velvety, and prominently veined.
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Morphology Rules
Ensure foliage looks velvety rather than glossy or waxy.
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Plant Faqs
Does the Jewel Orchid need a lot of light? It prefers low to medium indirect light and will thrive in shadier spots than most orchids. Is it difficult to care for? It is relatively easy for beginners if kept in a consistent, humid, and well-draining environment. How big does it grow? It reaches about 6 to 12 inches in height and spreads over time.
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Root Look
Small, firm, whitish-tan roots in a compact plug.
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Soil Look
Dark, moist, organic-rich potting medium with fine particulate.
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Starter Stage
Small, young plant with a few velvety leaves arising from a creeping rhizome.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Compact rosettes of dark leaves with visible venation; small, pale roots visible in the plug.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Jewel Orchid. This is Jewel Orchid, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let the Jewel Orchid become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future indoor foliage environment you want to create. The defining ornamental feature is its dark, velvety leaves, which showcase a beautiful, intricate pattern of shimmering copper veins. Establish your starter plant by moving the plug into a 4 inch pot with a quality, well-draining potting mix, then move it later to a permanent container when the plant is established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Ludisia discolor Jewel Orchid Agardeni Tropical Plants Orchid Care Indoor Foliage Low Light Plants Shade Plants Houseplant Care Starter Plants
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Youtube Video Summary
Discover the unique beauty of the Jewel Orchid, a remarkable terrestrial orchid prized for its dark, velvety foliage and striking veins. Learn how to care for this low-light tropical plant in your home.
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Youtube Video Title
How to Grow Ludisia discolor Jewel Orchid
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Future Buyer Brand Sellers
Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.