Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid
Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid is a compact terrestrial orchid prized for its velvety, deep-green leaves etched with a shimmering network of gold veins. As one of the classic "jewel orchids," its appeal lies in the foliage rather than the flowers — the leaf undersides take on a rich purplish-black hue, giving each plant a distinctive presence in a pot or terrarium. In autumn it sends up a slender flower spike bearing a handful of small white blooms, though the leaves remain the main attraction. Because it thrives in high humidity, it suits terrariums and glass enclosures particularly well, rewarding steady conditions with glossy foliage year-round. It is generally considered a plant for more experienced growers.
View Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid encyclopedia →0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 plants are commission-free!
Grower Wanted!
List your plants on GrowerDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!
6 Transparency Commitments from GrowerDirect
Growers disclose the following information for Orchids listings, guaranteeing transparency on variety, origin, light requirements, and growing difficulty.
- Variety Disclosed
- Real Photos
- Color Specification
- Origin Disclosed
- Light Requirements
- Difficulty Level Disclosed
Browse all 142 varieties
Light Requirements
Growing Difficulty
No listings match your filters
Adjust your filters, or get notified when new listings arrive.
Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.
Browse other categories
Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid key facts
- Growing Difficulty
- Advanced
- Lifespan
- Perennial (little data on lifespan)
- Size
- Low-growing; flower stem about 20 cm; flowers under 2 cm
- Watering
- Very dilute liquid fertilizer in small amounts while growing
- Light & Placement
- Keep out of direct sun, in bright shade or under modest artificial light; strong light fades or scorches the leaves.
- Watering
- Keep the medium evenly moist, but use a free-draining mix so water does not pool and rot the roots.
- Temperature & Overwintering
- Wild plants grow from lowland to montane forest, so avoid extremes of heat or cold; keep it indoors somewhere warm in winter.
- Soil & Repotting
- Use sphagnum or a light, humus-rich mix, and allow ventilation in a terrarium. When stems become leggy, the plant can be renewed from cuttings.
- Pests & Cautions
- High humidity combined with stagnant air invites stem and leaf rot. Avoid stuffy conditions and remove damaged parts promptly.
About Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid
A small terrestrial orchid grown for its deep-green, gold-veined leaves. The undersides are purplish-black, and slender autumn spikes bear a few small white flowers. It favors high humidity and suits terrariums, making it best suited to experienced growers.
7 things to know before growing Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid
1Choosing a Spot Away from Direct Sun
Strong direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so choose a bright, shaded spot or a place with soft, filtered light, such as behind a sheer curtain. Because it favors high humidity, growing it inside a terrarium or glass case is especially well suited. If kept in a room, maintain some air circulation while avoiding overly dry conditions.
2Watering Without Letting the Soil Dry
This orchid is sensitive to dryness, so water before the soil surface fully dries out, keeping it consistently lightly moist. At the same time, overwatering can easily lead to root rot, so use a well-draining setup that prevents water from pooling at the bottom of the pot. Misting to raise ambient humidity is also effective.
3A Well-Draining Yet Moisture-Retentive Mix
As a terrestrial orchid, it does best in a mix that drains well while retaining some moisture, such as one combining sphagnum moss, bark, and pumice. Adding sphagnum moss to a commercial orchid mix can help strike a balance where the roots stay neither too wet nor too dry.
4Repotting with Minimal Root Stress
Repot when the mix has broken down or the roots have become crowded, timing the work to the plant's active growth period. The roots are thin and easily damaged, so work quickly, and afterward keep the plant in a bright spot away from direct sun until it settles in.
5Managing Humidity and Temperature by Season
It sends up a flower spike with small white blooms in autumn, but maintaining relatively high humidity year-round, not just during flowering, is key to healthy growth. During seasons with large temperature swings, adjust its placement to avoid sudden drying out or temperature shifts.
6Choosing a Healthy Plant by Its Leaves
When choosing a plant, look for firm leaves with a clear, well-defined gold network pattern. Leaves with dry or wilted tips or dark discoloration may indicate a weakened plant, so check the leaf color, sheen, and stem firmness carefully.
7Keep in Mind: An Advanced-Level Plant
Because humidity and soil management require a delicate touch, and the leaves can suffer if conditions aren't right, this is generally considered a plant for experienced growers. Those with experience growing orchids or managing terrariums are best positioned to bring out its qualities.
Frequently asked questions about Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid
- Q.Is this orchid suitable for beginners?
- A.It requires careful humidity and soil management, so it's generally considered a plant for experienced growers. Prior experience with orchids or terrariums makes it easier to provide the right conditions.
- Q.When does it bloom?
- A.It sends up a slender flower spike bearing a handful of small white flowers in autumn. Outside the bloom period, the plant is grown mainly for its foliage.
- Q.Can it be grown in a terrarium?
- A.Yes — because it favors high humidity, it's well suited to terrarium or glass-case cultivation. An enclosed space helps maintain the humidity needed to keep the leaves in good condition.
- Q.Can it be placed in direct sunlight?
- A.Strong direct sun should be avoided, as it can scorch the leaves. A bright, shaded spot or soft, filtered light, such as behind a sheer curtain, is more suitable.
- Q.How large does it grow?
- A.The plant stays low-growing, with flower spikes reaching about 20 cm and flowers under 2 cm in diameter. As a small, foliage-focused orchid, it's easy to manage in compact spaces.
Handy Growing Tools for Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid
Learn more about Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid in the encyclopedia
View Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid encyclopedia entry →
Care difficulty, size, origin and light needs — all basics covered.
More in this category
Can't find the plant you're looking for?
Post your wishes for free and growers with matching plants will contact you with introductions.