Million Hearts Plant (Dischidia ruscifolia) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems

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

Dischidia ruscifolia is a popular plant with numerous heart-shaped leaves on trailing stems and hence the common name, 'Million Hearts Plant'.

Dischidia Million Hearts is among the best plants for a hanging basket, pedestal, tabletop, desktop, shelf and any other place where the stems will cascade downwards beautifully to display the spectacular foliage.

Botanical name: Dischidia ruscifolia
Family: Apocynaceae
Common name: Million Hearts Plant, Dischidia Million Hearts

Origin

Dischidia ruscifolia is native to Philippines where it grows as an epiphyte on top of trees, attaching itself to the trees by means of its tiny roots borne at the leaf nodes.

Flower

Million Hearts Plant flowers are white, tiny and very fragrant. It flowers readily and often when grown indoors.

Toxicity

Million Hearts Plant produces a milky sap which can irritate the skin. Always wear gloves when handling the plant. Dischidia ruscifolia is considered toxic to humans, cats and dogs if ingested.

Types of Dischidia Plants

• Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata)

• String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia)

Where to Buy

If you would like to acquire Million Hearts Plant, they are available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Million Hearts Plant Care Indoors

Million Hearts Plant flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine, average warmth of 18-30⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, orchid's potting soil coupled with two feedings during the growing season.

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

Watering

Water Million Hearts Plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Significantly reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as the growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting and drooping leaves

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid soggy soil as it can lead to rotting, yellowing and death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Million Hearts Plant grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to avoid scorching of the foliage.

Too little light results in a leggy plant and yellow leaves while too much direct sunlight will cause the leaves to turn reddish. Therefore, if the natural light in your home is not adequate, consider investing in grow lights to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

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

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth of 18-30⁰C is ideal for Million Hearts Plant. Keep it away from drafts as it does not like sudden changes in the temperature which can result in stunted growth, leaf drop and yellowing.

Moderate humidity of 50-55% is adequate for Dischidia ruscifolia. It has no need for extra humidity but is benefits from regular misting of the leaves. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer (Feeding)

Feed Dischidia ruscifolia 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. Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

Potting Mix

Being an epiphyte, the best soil for Million Hearts Plant should be rich in organic matter, loose, free-draining, bark soil to avoid getting soggy soil. An orchid potting mix is ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Million Hearts Plant 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 and one that has a drainage hole to avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot. Use a shallow pot as the plant has small roots. Take a look at these succulents pots available on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Million Hearts Plant involves removal of any dead leaves and stems to keep the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Trim the stems at the beginning of the growing season if they become straggly to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Million Hearts Plant (Dischidia ruscifolia) propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.

Million Hearts Plant propagation from stem cuttings in soil

Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy Dischidia ruscifolia. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will emerge from.

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

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

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

Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new Million Hearts Plant after which routine care can begin.

Dischidia ruscifolia Common Problems

Million Hearts Plant problems include plant dying, dropping leaves, leaf spots, shrivelled leaves, yellow leaves, rotting, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Plant dying

Million Hearts Plant may be dying due to a number of reasons like root-rot disease, overwatering, underwatering, overfeeding, incorrect temperature, pests, diseases among other.

Read more on these 11 Reasons Why Dischidia Plant is Dying and How to Fix Them

Yellowing leaves

Million Hearts Plant leaves may turn yellow due to overwatering, underwatering, little light, cold drafts, pests and underfeeding among other reasons.

Check out this post on 12 Reasons for Million Hearts Plant Yellowing Leaves and their Remedies

Pests

Common pests in Million Hearts Plant are spider mites, scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as recommended by the manufacturer.

Diseases

Common diseases in Million Hearts Plant are 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 stems

Rotting plant base and stems collapse in Million Hearts Plant is an indication of basal stem rot disease which is prevalent in overwet conditions. Avoid overwatering during the cold season. Use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts.

Elongated (leggy) stems

Elongated (leggy) stems in your Million Hearts Plant during the cold season is due to too much water; water less and maintain the soil barely moist.

If elongated stems occur during the growing season, then the cause is too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunlight or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

Dropping leaves

Watering Million Hearts Plant with very cold water is one cause of dropping leaves. Water the plant with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant.

The second cause of leaf fall in Million Hearts Plant is underwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Water less in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correct way.

Brown dry leaf spots

Brown dry leaf spots in Million Hearts Plant are due to underwatering. Water the plant 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 never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

Wilted and discolored leaves

Overwatering during the cold period is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves in Million Hearts Plant. Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. In addition, make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-drained to avoid getting soggy soil.

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