Ludisia orchids

Ludisia is a monotypic or near-monotypic genus from Southeast Asia, with Ludisia discolor the single species commonly cultivated. It belongs to the group known as "jewel orchids", a loose assemblage of terrestrial orchids grown primarily for foliage rather than flowers. Ludisia discolor has dark purple-red leaves veined with pink or silver, creating a velvet-textured appearance that is striking under appropriate lighting. Flowers are small and white, borne in upright spikes, and pleasant but secondary to the foliage display.

The plant grows much more like a conventional houseplant than most orchids. It prefers evenly moist soil-like media, tolerates low light (making it a candidate for rooms where brighter orchids would fail), and is generally forgiving of typical indoor conditions.

General care for the genus (species, hybrids and cultivars vary, so check with the grower for a specific plant): low to medium indirect light (800 to 1,500 footcandles), warm temperatures (18 to 28 °C year-round), high humidity preferred (60 to 80 percent) but tolerant of less, evenly moist potting mix (not bark) with good organic content. Pots of sphagnum with added perlite, or a fine bark mix with peat, work well.

Only Ludisia discolor is in general commercial cultivation, with named cultivars differing in vein colour and intensity (Ludisia discolor var. dawsoniana is especially popular). Related jewel-orchid genera Macodes, Goodyera, and Anoectochilus are sometimes grouped with it in catalogues. Listings below come from the nurseries we index, most of them re-checked nightly; prices are shown in USD.