Emm's Plant House

Macodes petola Jewel Orchid 6cm H8cm

£12.00 GBP

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Taxes included.

Pot Size 6cm H8cm

Quantity

Macodes petola is one of the most breathtaking Jewel Orchids, adored for its luminous, lightning-bolt leaf veins that sparkle gold under light. Unlike typical orchids grown for flowers, this species is cherished for its velvety foliage and intricate, electric venation. Compact, magical, and humidity-loving, it’s a showpiece plant for terrariums, cabinets, and tropical collectors.

Full Botanical Name: Macodes petola
Common Names: Jewel Orchid, Lightning Jewel Orchid, Petola Orchid
Country and/or Region of Origin: Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea)
Growing Conditions in Native Habitat: Found on humid forest floors with low light, warm temperatures, and consistently damp, mossy soil rich in organic matter

Care Guide

Care Guide:

Light: Low to medium indirect light. Too much light washes out the glowing venation; ideal for terrariums or shaded shelves.

Ideal Room: Bathrooms, terrariums, plant cabinets, or low-light plant rooms

Feeding: Use a diluted orchid or foliage fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during spring and summer.

Humidity: Prefers 70–90% humidity; thrives in closed terrariums or high-humidity cabinets.

Ideal Temperature: 20–27°C; protect from drafts and avoid temperatures below 16°C.

Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Allow just the top layer to begin drying before watering again.

Pet/Child Safe: Non-toxic (orchid family level) — generally safe for homes with pets and children.

Soil Type: Moist, airy mix such as sphagnum moss blended with fine bark, perlite, and orchid substrate

Propagation: Division or careful stem cuttings; best done during active growth

Eventual Height and Spread: 10–15 cm tall; 15–20 cm wide

Growth Rate: Slow to moderate; faster in stable humidity and warm temperatures

Pests and Treatment: May attract fungus gnats, mealybugs, or thrips in overly wet or stagnant conditions; treat with gentle, orchid-safe methods

Repotting: Every 1–2 years; prefers fresh mossy substrate and a shallow pot

Pruning: Remove damaged leaves; trim leggy stems to encourage branching

Air Purification: Moderate; appreciated mainly for unique, glowing foliage

Folklore: Often considered a “good luck orchid” due to its lightning-like leaf veins, symbolising energy, vitality, and inner illumination

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