Plant guide
Jewel orchid
Ludisia discolor
Jewel orchid is considered non-toxic to cats. This orchid is grown as much for its patterned leaves as its flowers. Its care differs from orchids grown on trees.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Ludisia discolor only. Confirm the botanical label; a photograph cannot identify a visitor’s specimen.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Ludisia discolor
By Maja Dumat
License: CC BY 2.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
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Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Ludisia discolor
By Maja Dumat
License: CC BY 2.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
Black jewel orchid
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Ludisia discolor and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Ludisia discolor
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Ludisia discolor only; the care categories summarize the cited growing guidance.
- Light
- Medium indirect light
Provide medium indirect light indoors or shade outdoors.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Keep the mix moist with free drainage, using tepid water.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A preferred numerical growing range was not established in the reviewed source.
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
Warm, humid conditions with air circulation suit this orchid.
- Potting
- Use a terrestrial orchid mix in a shallow, wide container.
- Through the year
- Feed during active growth; avoid stagnant conditions around the leaves and roots.
Growing-guide sources
- Ludisia discolor identity and growing guidance ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Exact named plant; outdoor and seasonal conditions retain their original context. Temperature coverage records that this review did not establish a preferred numerical growing range; it does not supply one.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-17. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Jewel orchid cat/pet safety reference ↗ASPCA · Accessed
Listed by the source as Haemaria discolor. ASPCA names Haemaria discolor as non-toxic to cats. NC State lists Haemaria discolor as the previous name of Ludisia discolor. The proposal follows that explicit synonym mapping.
- Jewel orchid cat/pet safety reference ↗ASPCA · Accessed 2026-10-17
- Ludisia discolor botanical identity ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
ASPCA names Haemaria discolor as non-toxic to cats. NC State lists Haemaria discolor as the previous name of Ludisia discolor. The proposal follows that explicit synonym mapping.
- Jewel orchid: supporting reference ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Safety last reviewed .