A living jewel. Macodes petola has velvety, emerald-green leaves traced with shimmering gold veins that seem to glow when the light catches them. Tiny but utterly captivating – perfect for a terrarium, cloche or a humid nook.

Also known as: Jewel Orchid, Lightning Orchid

Origins & folklore: Unlike most orchids, jewel orchids are grown for their leaves rather than their flowers. Macodes petola creeps along the damp, shady floors of rainforests in South-East Asia – from Sumatra and Borneo to the Philippines and New Guinea – rooting into moss and leaf litter.

The fine network of golden veins looks like lightning across a dark sky, which is where its nickname comes from. Victorian plant collectors prized jewel orchids and grew them under glass domes. It does flower too, sending up a slender spike of small white blooms, but the real treasure is the foliage.

Size: Delivered in a 5cm plastic nursery pot

Care guide
•    Light: Low to medium indirect light. Never direct sun – the leaves will fade and burn.
•    Watering: Keep the compost lightly moist at all times, like a wrung-out sponge. Water around the edge rather than on the leaves, and never let it sit in water. Rainwater or filtered water is best.
•    Humidity & temperature: Needs high humidity – a terrarium, cloche or bright bathroom is ideal. Happiest between 18–27°C; keep away from cold draughts.
•    Feeding: A very weak orchid feed once a month in spring and summer.
•    Good to know: If it gets leggy, the stem can be cut and rooted in damp moss to make a new plant. Pinch off the flower spike if you'd rather it put its energy into new leaves.

Toxicity: Non-toxic. Orchids are generally considered safe for people, cats and dogs.