16 Types of Dischidia Succulents [With Pictures]

Dischidias are exotic yet easy-to-grow plants that can instantly make any space come alive. They are great hanging plants and usually, people place them in their balconies to appease the eye. The leaves are nothing short of gorgeous and the plant will add a distinct charm to the space you put it in.

Types of Dischidia Plants

Dischidia angustifolia

Dischidia astephana

Dischidia bengalensis

Dischidia chinensis

Dischidia formosana

Dischidia hirsuta

Dischidia imbricata

Dischidia major

Dischidia nummularia (String of Nickles)

Dischidia oiantha

Dischidia ovata

Dischidia pectenoides

Dischidia platyphylla

Dischidia puberula

Dischidia rafflesiana

Dischidia ruscifolia (Million Hearts)

How to Grow and Care for Dischidia

Dischidias are uncommon plants because people feel they will require a lot of care. However, that is not entirely true. Sure, they need care and have specific requirements but that is the case with pretty much every plant.

Here are a few requirements of Dischidia that you need to be mindful of should you want to get this beautiful plant home.

Light

Medium to bright light works the best for Dischidias. At no point in time should the light get too bright or too direct as that can lead to the burning of leaves. In the northern climates, direct sunlight exposure is fine as it is never too harsh. However, in the southern climates, always aim for filtered light for Dischidias.

Watering

Dischidias usually thrive in high humidity. It is, therefore, important to mist the plant regularly to ensure that the leaves are full of water. You also need to water the plant regularly to ensure that the soil is moist and porous.

They are epiphytic in nature that makes them susceptible to drying between two watering spells. Hence, make sure you water them regularly.

Soil

Loose potting mix, such as orchid bark mix or coco husk chips, works wonderfully for Dischidias.

Normal potting mix is not going to aid the growth of these plants because they are different than your usual plants. This is because they react well to the bark of trees and usually attach themselves to trees while growing. They are called air plants for the same reason.

Fertilizing

You can use any good fertilizer for these plants occasionally. Dilute the fertilizer with water and spray directly on the leaves for the best results.

Springtime is the best time for fertilizing the Dischidias but you should not continue beyond September. Once every four weeks during the potting season is usually considered ideal.

These plants don’t have heavy fertilizer needs, but you must ensure that you change the potting mix every year.

Climate

Areas that receive low light are ideal for Dischidias. They are perfectly at home under a canopy of thick leaves or trees. They won’t thrive in hot climates, in areas that receive harsh sunlight for 6-8 hours.

How to Propagate Dischidia

Dischidias are easy to propagate and you can use its cutting to grow a full-blown plant with luscious leaves. To propagate them, cut the bottom part of the plant from the stem and place it in a vase full of water.

You must wear gloves while you are doing this because the plant is known to secrete a milky white substance that may induce itching in your skin. Make sure you wash your hand with a good soap after this.

Within a few weeks, you will see some roots coming out of the cutting. This is now ready to be planted in a Dischidia-friendly potting mix.

FAQs

Though these plants are easy to grow, people tend to have several questions while toying with the idea of getting them home. Here are a few of these questions curated just for you!

Is Dischidia an Indoor Plant?

A well-drained potting mix and mild to bright light are the key requirements of the Dischidia plant. The fact that they look beautiful makes people hang them on their balconies.

However, if you can ensure the right soil and lighting requirements indoors, you can also treat the Dischidia as an indoor plant.

Is Dischidia a Succulent?

Dischidias can be called an epiphytic tropical succulent plant. They love to grow on the support of tree branches and barks. The stems of the trees meet the nutrition and water needs of the succulent.

Though it is primarily a hanging plant, many people also like to grow it in a terrarium that is most commonly used for succulents.

Why Is My Dischidia Yellow?

Lack of proper care and lack of nutrition in the Dischidia plant may render it yellow and lifeless. These include a potting mix that doesn’t drain well and is moist and soggy or overwatering or underwatering.

Too much water can lead to rot in the roots of the plant thereby rendering its leaves yellow and disheveled.

If you notice this, you must immediately inspect the roots of the plant by taking them out of the potting mix. If you notice a yellow tinge to the roots, you can be relieved, but if they are brown and moist, these are signs of rot that must immediately be dealt with.