How To Care For Plants

How to care for Dischidia Nummularia (String of Nickels)

Dischidia nummularia

Care facts verified

String of nickels is a trailing epiphyte grown for its rows of small round coin-like leaves, and it rewards humidity above almost everything else. Give it bright dappled light, an airy bark-or-moss medium kept lightly moist, and 60–80% humidity. The fastest way to lose it is dry room air or a soggy, soil-packed pot.

Care at a glance

Light
Bright, dappled light; no direct afternoon sunMimic the broken canopy light of its rainforest perch; the thin leaves scorch fast in hot direct sun, while moderate LED or fluorescent grow lights suit it well.
Water
Keep the moss lightly moist; let it nearly dry betweenMist a mounted plant often; for one potted in sphagnum, water sparingly and allow a slight dry-down so the wiry stems never sit wet.
Soil
Pure sphagnum or orchid bark — never standard potting soilAs an epiphyte it needs an open, fast-draining medium; ordinary compost smothers the fine roots and triggers rapid decline, so many growers mount it on cork instead.
Humidity
High, 60–80% — close to essentialSustained dry air brings on leaf drop and crispy edges quickly, so a terrarium, cloche, or nearby humidifier keeps it thriving.
Temperature
18–29 °C (65–85 °F); never below 13 °CThis warm-tropical species resents cold; keep it clear of chilly window drafts and air-conditioning vents year-round.
Difficulty
ModerateEasy once its humidity and airflow are dialed in, but it punishes dry rooms and stagnant, soggy moss.
Pets
Non-toxic to petsNot listed among ASPCA's toxic species and generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs; even so, discourage pets from chewing the foliage.

Where it comes from

Native rangeTropical Asia and Australia — from India through Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia

Propagation

Propagate from stem cuttings on damp sphagnum moss. Take 7–10 cm (3–4 inch) pieces and lay them on moist moss inside a clear container or sealed bag to hold humidity; roots usually push from the nodes within two to four weeks.

Vent the container briefly each day so airflow keeps fungus at bay, and once the cuttings have rooted and anchored, move them onto their permanent cork mount or into a small pot of bark and moss.

Common problems

  • Leaves dropping off the stems

    Likely cause: Low humidity or a sudden change in environment.

    Fix: Raise humidity to 60% or more with a humidifier or enclosure, and stop relocating the plant while it settles.

  • Yellowing leaves and soft, mushy stems

    Likely cause: Overwatering or stagnant moisture sitting around the roots.

    Fix: Improve air circulation, water less often, and let the medium dry slightly between waterings; cut away any rotted stems.

  • Slow or stalled growth

    Likely cause: Too little humidity or light for an actively growing epiphyte.

    Fix: Move it into brighter filtered light and lift ambient humidity, ideally in a terrarium or near a humidifier.

  • Shriveled, wrinkled coin-shaped leaves

    Likely cause: Underwatering or very dry air desiccating the thin foliage.

    Fix: Soak the moss mount thoroughly, mist more often, and consider a more enclosed setup to hold moisture.

Frequently asked questions

Can Dischidia nummularia survive in normal room humidity?

It scrapes by around 50% humidity but will not truly thrive below 60% for long. For the best results, grow it in a terrarium, beside a humidifier, or in a naturally humid room such as a brightly lit bathroom.

What is the best way to display string of nickels?

Mounting it on cork bark or driftwood with a pad of sphagnum moss copies its natural epiphytic habit. It also looks striking trailing from a terrarium, a hanging glass orb, or a shallow dish of orchid bark and moss.

How should I fertilize Dischidia nummularia?

Feed with a very dilute liquid fertilizer at about quarter strength once a month through the growing season. Epiphytes are sensitive to salt buildup, so go light and flush the moss with plain water now and then.

Is Dischidia nummularia related to hoyas?

Yes — both sit in the family Apocynaceae within the former Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) group and share an epiphytic, water-storing habit. Dischidia simply tends to demand higher humidity than most hoyas, which is why it does best in an enclosure.

Sources

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