Give them medium to low indirect light, such as from an east-facing or north-facing window.

Keep them out of direct sunlight, which burns their delicate leaves.

To improve drainage, add a few handfuls of additional perlite.

Jewel orchid (Ludisia discolor) in a pot

soniabonet / Getty Images

Water

Water jewel orchids when the top 2 inches or so of their soil has dried out.

Rather than watering on a set schedule, check soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger in the pot.

Always use room-temperature water.

These tropical jungle plants grow best between 50 percent and 70 percent humidity.

Add the fertilizer to the water in the amount specified on the fertilizer label.

Always use sharp, sterilized scissors or pruners to avoid transmitting diseases between plants.

To prevent legginess in a jewel orchid, double-check it stays moist all the time.

Here’s how to propagate jewel orchids.

In terms of diseases, they can be affected by issues likeroot rotand powdery mildew.

Pot-bound plants may be slightly stressed, making them more likely to bloom.

What Do Jewel Orchid Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Jewel orchid flowers are small and relatively unshowy compared to epiphytic orchids.

The flowers emit a mild, sweet fragrance but aren’t particularly known for their aroma.

Always use clean, sterilized scissors or pruners to deadhead jewel orchids.

Exposure to temperatures below 50F or overly bright light also causes yellow leaves.

Browning Tips

Brown leaf tips may be a sign that your plant isn’t getting enough humidity.

Brown areas on leaves are also a potential sign of too much sunlight.

Jewel orchids bloom annually.

Flower spikes can appear in fall, winter, or early spring.