Cystorchis variegata Blume

Variegated Leaf Jewel Orchid, Variegated Leaf Cystorchis

Moderate careTerrestrialNon-toxic10–25 cm

A small terrestrial orchid from the rainforests of Southeast Asia, Cystorchis variegata creeps along the forest floor with a low, rooting stem before sending up a short ascending shoot bearing a rosette of oval, velvety leaves. The foliage is deep green with a network of paler veins — the iridescent quality typical of jewel orchids, caused by a specialised structure in the leaf cells that scatters light. In the wild it grows at elevations of 200–1,500 m in shaded, humid forest understory, which explains why it thrives in the steady warmth and high humidity of a closed terrarium. Flowers are small and held on an erect spike — creamy white petals with yellowish-pink sepals and a white-and-orange labellum — but the foliage is the main attraction.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Variegated Leaf Jewel Orchid image

Photo by Jacek Dabkiewicz·CC BY-SA 4.0

Care

Light

Shade tolerant(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
16°C – 28°C

Soil

Sphagnum mix(preferred)Orchid mixMoisture retentive

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 6.5

Appearance

Growth habit

CreepingUpright

Leaf shape

Oval

Leaf texture

Velvety

Distribution

Propagation

Snip a growing stem tip with at least two nodes and allow the cut end to dry briefly — one to two hours — before setting it on the surface of damp sphagnum moss. Keep the cutting in a humid, shaded environment rather than burying the stem, as the nodes root along their length where they contact moisture. Dipping in a light rooting hormone before setting down improves success rates. Roots typically appear within two to four weeks in a warm, closed environment; once rooted, the cutting can be pressed gently into the growing medium.

References

  1. 1

    POWO (Kew) — Cystorchis variegata Blume (accepted name; family Orchidaceae; synonym: Hetaeria variegata (Blume) Miq.; native distribution: Borneo, Java, Malaya, Sumatra, Vanuatu; rhizomatous geophyte in wet tropical biome)

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:626491-1
  2. 2

    Wikipedia — Cystorchis variegata (height 15–25 cm; 5–6 elliptic leaves up to 7 × 2.8 cm with wavy edges; dark green with lighter green patches between veins; inflorescence 7–12 flowers ~6 mm long; sepals yellowish at base, pinkish/reddish-brown in middle, cream at tip; petals white lance-shaped; labellum white and orange; damp shady forests at 600–1,100 m in Java; CITES Appendix II)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cystorchis_variegata
  3. 3

    Orchid Species (IOSPE) — Cystorchis variegata Blume 1859 var variegata (common name: The Variegated Leaf Cystorchis; found in Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Philippines and Vanuatu at 200–1,500 m; decumbent rooting stem ascending 1–2 inches; 5–6 obliquely ovate leaves with acute tips and undulate margins; green with paler veins in var. variegata; inflorescence erect with 10–12 flowers; hot to cool growing; synonyms: Aetheria javanica (Bl.) Lindl. 1840; Hetaeria variegata (Blume) Miq. 1859)

    https://www.orchidspecies.com/cystovariegata.htm
  4. 4

    Dart Frog Connection — Cystorchis variegata care (light: moderate; temperature: 20–28 °C / 70–80 °F; substrate: sphagnum moss or well-draining potting soil; keep soil slightly moist but never soggy; size: 4–7 inches / 10–18 cm tall; suitable for vivariums; terrestrial forest floor orchid from Southeast Asia)

    https://dartfrogconnection.com/cyschortis-variegata.html
  5. 5

    Black Jungle Terrarium Supply — Cystorchis variegata (warm temperatures and humid atmosphere without frequent misting; good drainage and aeration around roots; consistent moisture; ideal candidates for closed terrariums; may not acclimate outside terrarium without time and care; propagated by tissue culture)

    https://www.blackjungleterrariumsupply.com/Cystorchis-variegata-Jewel-Orchid_p_2630.html
  6. 6

    NE Herpetoculture — Live Jewel Orchids for Terrariums & Vivariums (low-light plants; optimal temperature 65–75 °F / 18–24 °C; can die quickly above 78 °F / 26 °C; quick-draining orchid substrate or loose sphagnum; humidity-holding enclosure required; forest humus species)

    https://www.neherpetoculture.com/jewelorchids
  7. 7

    Clan Orchids — Jewel Orchid Culture (light: low to medium; temperature: 24–30 °C day, 13–16 °C night, tolerates 10–38 °C briefly; substrate: sphagnum moss with perlite or African Violet mix; keep evenly moist; propagation by stem cuttings — allow to harden off a day or two then pot in terrestrial medium; dip in rooting hormone for higher success; relatively difficult to grow)

    https://www.clanorchids.com/culture/jewel.html
  8. 8

    Orchid Bliss — Jewel Orchid Care: The Complete Guide (humidity 50–70%; temperature 16–25 °C / 61–78 °F; minimum threshold ~10 °C; avoid direct sun; stem cutting propagation — signs of growth in a few months)

    https://orchidbliss.com/jewel-orchid-care-the-complete-guide/
  9. 9

    ASPCA — Non-Toxic Plants: Jewel Orchid (Haemaria discolor; non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses; no toxic principles listed; family Orchidaceae)

    https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/jewel-orchid