Why is my orchid growing leaves on the stem?

If there are leaves poking out of your orchid’s stem, that’s a basal keiki. Keiki is the Hawaiian word for “baby,” and that’s exactly what this leafy offshoot is: a baby orchid. It will eventually grow its own roots and leaves, and become an independent orchid. You can either leave it attached to the mother plant, or you can cut it away and pot it up separately.