Jewel orchids are terrestrial orchids that grow in very shaded conditions. They require as much or less light than your average Phalaenopsis (receiving about 500-1000 footcandles).

With too much light, leaves will turn a red and faded color and will eventually drop due to stress.

Keep plants at a distance from windows, especially those that face south or east.

Jewel orchids are tropical plants and will thrive in warm to hot temperatures - keep them between 65-85F.
Average room temperatures in the home are ideal!

Jewel orchids thrive in moist conditions - they naturally grow in wet leaf litter and fibrous materials covering the ground. Keep media consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Most people have great success growing them in sphagnum moss!
If not using moss, use a media containing tree fern fiber, small bark, small pumice or perlite, and a small amount of peat moss or potting soil.

Never use ice to water orchids!

These plants do best in high humidity environments. Keep humidity between 60-80% or higher.
They are great plants to put into terrariums where high humidity can be maintainted, just ensure that there is appropriate airflow if encased.

Some members of the jewel orchid family such as Anoectochilus and Macodes require very high humidity and will struggle outside of a terrarium environment.

With increased humidity, increase airflow!

Jewel orchids are not heavy feeders and are sensitive to over fertilizing. We recommend using a very diluted balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or lower) at 1/8 or lower strength on the label.

Even better is inoculating the substrate with beneficial mycorrhizae (we use Great White) to facilitate nutrient uptake and prevent fertilizing issues.

These plants are not too sensitive to repotting but they do have fragile roots. When repotting, gently remove old media (or better, gently rinse it off with tepid water) and lightly pack it into the new media.
We recommend using shallow pots to plant them in to prevent stagnant moisture from accumulating near the bottom of the pot.
Jewel orchids can be 'ramblers' and will tend to climb out of pots as they are usually a ground cover plant in nature - we suggest using wide bulb pans to contain larger plants.

These plants are also very slow growers with Ludisia discolor being the 'fastest' growing of the jewel orchid family - don't expect them to fill up their pots too quickly!

Always use sterile cutting tools when trimming plant parts!