Dischidia nummularia 'Dragon Jade' – Trailing Epiphyte with Shingling Foliage

Dischidia nummularia 'Dragon Jade' – Trailing Epiphyte with Shingling Foliage

Dischidia nummularia 'Dragon Jade' is a charming epiphytic vine native to Southeast Asia, often found cascading from tree trunks in humid forests. This cultivar is celebrated for its coin-shaped, succulent-like leaves that create a beautiful, overlapping 'shingle' effect as they climb or trail. Highly prized for its low-maintenance elegance, this species is a natural choice for kokedama, terrariums, or vertical arrangements.

Distinctive Features

• Shingling foliage: Rounded, thick jade-green leaves press closely against surfaces, mimicking shingles.
• Trailing habit: Flexible stems produce a gentle cascade when grown in hanging pots or mounted settings.
• Epiphytic nature: Grows without soil in its native environment, clinging to bark and other surfaces with aerial roots.

Care Tips

• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light; tolerates some early morning or late afternoon sun but avoid harsh midday rays.
• Water: Let the medium dry out slightly between waterings; avoid overwatering as roots are prone to rot.
• Humidity: Thrives in high humidity environments above 60%; misting or pebble trays can be beneficial indoors.
• Media: Use a well-draining orchid or sphagnum moss-based mix; bark chips or coco husk also work well.
• Temperature: Ideal range is 18–28°C; protect from cold drafts or temperatures below 15°C.
• Fertiliser: Apply a diluted balanced fertiliser monthly during the growing season (spring through summer).
• Repotting: Repot every 2–3 years or when roots outgrow the current container, especially if mounted or in moss balls.

Additional Notes

• Can be grown in terrariums or mounted on bark for a more naturalistic presentation.
• Not considered toxic to pets, though ingestion is still discouraged.
• Rarely flowers in cultivation, but when it does, the blooms are small and creamy white to pale yellow.
• A great choice for vertical gardens due to its clinging nature and modest space requirements.

Dischidia nummularia 'Dragon Jade' offers both ornamental charm and botanical intrigue. Its adaptable, space-saving growth makes it particularly attractive for indoor plant lovers who appreciate texture and subtlety in their green displays.