Apocynaceae
String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia): Complete Care Guide
Dischidia nummularia
Low-maintenance epiphytic plant that thrives in bright indirect light with moderate watering and high humidity. Allow the substrate to dry almost completely between waterings. Avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot. Prefers temperatures between 16°C and 29°C (61–84°F).
Every 10 days
Bright indirect
16° - 29°C
60% - 80%
Categories
What is String of Nickels?
String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia) is a easy-care plant from the Apocynaceae family. Dischidia nummularia, commonly known as String of Nickels, is a tropical epiphytic plant in the Apocynaceae family, native to Australia and Southeast Asia. Its small, round, succulent-like leaves resemble coins strung along slender trailing stems, making it a popular choice for hanging baskets, terr...
String of Nickels grows up to 46cm, spread of 90cm, watering every 10 days, 16°C – 29°C, 60–80% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, String of Nickels tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 20 days.
How to Care for String of Nickels?
TLDR: String of Nickels needs Bright indirect, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between 16-29°C with 60-80% humidity.
How Often Should You Water String of Nickels?
Water every 7–14 days in spring and summer, reducing to every 2–4 weeks in autumn and winter. Always let the substrate dry almost completely before watering again. Ensure the pot has drainage holes and never let the plant sit in standing water.
How Much Light Does String of Nickels Need?
Place near an east-facing window for bright indirect light. Avoid intense direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Grow lights at 10–12 hours per day work well if natural light is limited.
What Is the Best Soil for String of Nickels?
Use a chunky, well-draining epiphyte mix such as orchid bark with perlite. Avoid standard potting compost, which retains too much moisture and can suffocate epiphytic roots.
What Pot Should You Use for String of Nickels?
Hanging baskets or wire baskets with orchid mix are ideal. Terracotta pots work well for aeration. Choose a snug pot — this plant prefers slightly root-bound conditions.
Care Schedule
Misting
Every 7 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is String of Nickels and Where Does It Come From?
Dischidia nummularia, commonly known as String of Nickels, is a tropical epiphytic plant in the Apocynaceae family, native to Australia and Southeast Asia. Its small, round, succulent-like leaves resemble coins strung along slender trailing stems, making it a popular choice for hanging baskets, terrariums, and shelf displays. A slow-growing but resilient houseplant, it thrives with bright indirect light, well-draining substrate, and moderate to high humidity.
How to Propagate String of Nickels?
Stem Cutting
Keep substrate lightly moist but never waterlogged. High ambient humidity (60-80%) speeds up rooting significantly.
- 1 Cut a healthy stem with 3-4 nodes and at least 2 pairs of leaves using clean scissors
- 2 Let the cut end dry for 1-2 hours to callous
- 3 Plant in moist, well-draining orchid mix
- 4 Keep in a bright indirect light spot with 60-80% humidity
- 5 Roots develop in 4-8 weeks
Materials needed:
How Big Does String of Nickels Grow?
TLDR: String of Nickels can reach up to 46cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
46cm
Spread
90cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect String of Nickels?
TLDR: String of Nickels is susceptible to 10 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when plants receive too much water, depriving roots of oxygen and causing root rot. This environmental stress is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, as waterlogged soil prevents roots from breathing and functioning properly.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Meaning & Symbolism
Symbolizes resilience and adaptability — its epiphytic nature reflects the ability to thrive without conventional soil, drawing nourishment directly from the air and environment.
Fun Facts
In the wild, Dischidia grows as an epiphyte on tropical tree trunks, absorbing moisture and nutrients directly from the air and rain
The tiny white and yellow flowers are pollinated by ants, which have a remarkable mutualistic relationship with the plant
The species name 'nummularia' comes from the Latin 'nummulus', meaning 'small coin' — a direct reference to the leaf shape
String of Nickels can live for many years with minimal care, becoming increasingly lush over time
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water String of Nickels?
Is String of Nickels toxic to cats and dogs?
Why are the leaves on my String of Nickels shriveling?
Can I grow Dischidia nummularia in a terrarium?
How do I propagate String of Nickels?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Chilean Cacti | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Flame Violet | Easy | Partial shade | 7d | ✓ |
