Dischidia Ruscifolia Million Hearts Plant

Dischidia myrtillus

Family

Apocynaceae

Origin

Philippines

Description

Dischidia  is an epiphytic small growing tropical FLOWulent plant, related to a Hoya, with trailing stems. These plants grows on supports such as tree trunks or branches. Their stems may produce roots along the nodes to absorb nutrients and water and provide additional support for the plant.

Dischidia 'ruscifolia'is a decorative plant with comprises stiff, slender green shoots that grow up to 3.3 feet long before taking root at the tip and continuing. They are densely decorated in pairs of stiff, FLOWulent, heart-shaped leaves. Many tiny white flowers appear on the inter nodes and remain for long periods of time. The plant looks graceful in a hanging pot, but is found in dense clumps and clusters on overhead tree branches in its habitat.

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.

Environment

Grow  Dischidia  in medium to bright filtered light or with lots of artificial light in indoors.  Dischidia  also needs high humidity. Mist the plant every day or place the container on a saucer filled with pebbles and water. The water will evaporate and moisten the air while the pebbles will hold the sensitive roots out of the water.They need warm humid conditions ((similar to bromeliads and orchids)

Water  Dischidia  when the soil surface starts to dry. The plant is fairly drought tolerant .  Dischidia plants don't ask for much, beyond the well-draining soil and the

Plant  Dischidia  in a loose,  well-draining soil  designed for epiphytic plants; it is usually composed of coconut husk or shredded bark. Dischidia like the security of a snug pot, and plants that are a bit root bound will flower more prolifically than those that are swimming around in a giant pot.

Dischidia  doesn't really need fertilizer but you should change the planting media every year.

Landscape Use

It makes a nice hanging basket, but also does really well as a mounted plant