How to Grow and Care for String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia)

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String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia) grows best in bright light with some morning sunshine, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil with two feedings in the growing season.

Dischidia nummularia also called Button Orchid is one of the popular string of plants with trailing atems and succulent leaves which form a dense mass of greenish-yellow foliage.

The stems can grow upto 3 metres long and cascade downwards beautifully in a hanging basket, on a pedestal or on a tabletop and is among the best plants for hanging baskets.

The leaves are opposite and round and look like numerous coins, hence the common name "String of Nickels". The young leaves often have a powdery bloom. The flowers are white to yellowish-white.

Botanical name: Dischidia nummularia
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: String of Nickels Plant, Button Orchid

Origin

Dischidia nummularia is native to India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Australia where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.

Toxicity

String of Nickels Plant produces a milky sap which can irritate the skin. Always wear gloves when handling. Button Orchid is considered toxic to both humans and pets if ingested.

Types of Dischidia Plants

• Million Hearts Plant (Dischidia ruscifolia)

• Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata)

Where to Buy

Button Orchid are excellent hanging plants for any plant collection, you may acquire them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Dischidia nummularia Indoor Care

String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia) prefers bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine, average warmth of 18-26⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil with two feedings during the growing season.

Dischidia nummularia has no need for frequent repotting as it has a small root system. Pruning is needed to keep the plant neat, to discourage pests and diseases and to control growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

How to Water String of Nickels Plant

String of Nickels Plant cannot tolerate soggy soil. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid rotting.

Water the String of Nickels Plant liberally until water comes through the drainage hole during the growing season. Discard any excess water on the saucer or catch plant to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out before the next watering to keep the soil moderately moist.

During the cold season, significantly decrease watering to maintain the soil barely moist as the growth is minimal at this time.

Light Requirements

String of Nickels Plant grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine. Ensure to place the plant infront of a bright window where it will receive some sunshine.

Low light for Button Orchid results in a leggy plant while direct hot sunlight will scorch the leaves. Therefore, if the natural light is not sufficient, you may supplement it with grow lights. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant gets light on all sides to prevent it from becoming leggy.

Temperature and Humidity

Moderate warmth of 18-26⁰C during the growing season is ideal for String of Nickels Plant. Keep it away from drafts as sudden changes in the temperature can cause leaf drop.

Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for String of Nickels Plant. It has no need for extra humidity but ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed your String of Nickels Plant during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer as per the manufacturer's instructions. The Plant is not a heavy feeder so be careful when feeding. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is reduced at this time.

Potting Medium

The best potting medium for String of Nickels Plant is loose, free-draining and rich in organic matter. The medium should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough to prevent retention of excess water as the plant is prone to root-rot if the medium gets soggy. A cactus and succulents mix is ideal for this plant.

Repotting

String of Nickels has a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot the plant at the beginning of the growing season only when it becomes crowded in its current pot.

Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one and ensure that it has a drainage hole. This is important to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Take care not to bury the stems to prevent rotting.

Use a shallow pot rather than a deep one as the plant has a small root system. You can select from these succulents pots available on Amazon.

How to prune String of Nickels Plant

Pruning String of Nickels Plant requires removal of any dead leaves and stems to keep the plant neat and tidy. This also helps in reducing pest and disease infestations.

Trim the stems at the beginning of the growing season if they become straggly to rejuvenate growth and encourage a fuller plant.

Propagation

String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.

How to propagate String of Nickels Plant from stem cuttings

Take 3-5 in. stem cuttings from a healthy String of Nickels Plant. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will sprout from.

Allow the cuttings to dry (callus) under a shade for about 7 days to avoid rotting.

Press the cut end into moist, free-draining soil or lay the string on top of the soil and lightly press the leaf nodes into the soil.

Ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage holes to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the cuttings are rooted.

Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new Button Orchid after which you can begin routine care.

Dischidia nummularia Common Problems

String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia) problems include plant death, dropping leaves, leaf spots, shrivelled leaves, yellow leaves, rotting, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Plant dying

Dischidia nummularia may be dying due to several reasons like soggy soil, underwatering, poor lighting, wrong temperature, pests and diseases among others.

Check out this post on 11 Reasons Why Dischidia Plant is Dying and How to Fix Them

Dropping leaves

String of Nickels Plant dropping (falling) leaves can be due to many and varied reasons like watering with very cold water, underwatering, overwatering, poor quality potting mix among others.

Read more on these 12 reasons why String of Nickels Plant is dropping leaves and how to fix them

Yellowing leaves

String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia) leaves may turn yellow due to overwatering, little light, undefeeding, pests and poor quality soil among others.

Read our detailed account on 12 Reasons for String of Nickels Plant Yellowing Leaves and How to Fix Them

Pests

Common pests in String of Nickels Plant are spider mites, scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Diseases

String of Nickels Plant is prone to powdery mildew and leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with a fungicidal solution as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Rotting at base of the stem

Rotting plant base and stems collapse in String of Nickels Plant is an indication of basal stem rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions under poor air circulation.

Use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts. Decrease watering in the cold season and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Improve ventilation for good air circulation.

Elongated stems

Elongated stems in String of Nickels plant during the cold season is due to too much water. Water less in the cold season and maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced.

If elongated stems happen during the growing season, then the cause is too little light. String of Nickels Plant requires bright light with some direct morning sunlight. Too little light will cause the plant to grow weak, elongated stems in an attempt to reach the light source.

Position the Button Orchid in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct morning sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this article on understanding light for houseplants.

Brown dry leaf spots

Brown dry leaf spots in String of Nickels Plant are due to underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil. Water the Button Orchid thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Cut down on watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.

Shrivelled (wilted and discolored) leaves

Shrivelled (wilted and discolored) leaves in String of Nickels Plant are due to overwatering in the cold period. Water the plant much less during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Always confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.

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