Dischidia nummularia

The coin-leaved epiphyte of tropical Asia

Robert Brown published Dischidia nummularia in 1810. The species ranges from southern China through tropical Asia and Malesia to northern Queensland. It grows on trees and can also spread over rock.

Trailing stems follow bark, branch forks and mossy crevices in wet tropical vegetation. Small round leaves line shoots exposed to frequent rain and humid canopy air. Fine roots enter shallow pockets of organic debris, where water arrives quickly and drains across the surface. The plant’s natural setting combines regular moisture with air moving freely around its stems and roots.

Care for trailing growth and epiphytic roots

Light

Give Dischidia nummularia strong diffuse light beside an east window or close to a brighter south or west window. A few hours of gentle morning sun can keep stems compact once the plant is acclimated.

Watering

Allow most of the airy medium to dry, then soak the whole root ball and drain it completely. The slightly succulent leaves buffer a short dry spell, but repeated severe drought causes puckering, yellowing and stem loss.

Temperature

A steady indoor warmth supports growth. Protect it from chilling temperatures, with particular care when the substrate is moist.

Fertilising

Use a balanced foliage fertiliser at a low dose during visible extension. Continue at a reduced rate through winter if the plant remains warm, well lit and actively lengthening; pause when growth and water use slow.

Repotting

Repot when the fine roots densely bind the mix, water runs past a dry core, the medium breaks down or the hanging mass makes the container unstable. A slightly snug pot is normal.

Health checks for Dischidia nummularia

• Round leaves wrinkle and lose firmness: First check the mix. A dry, lightweight root ball needs a thorough soak and complete drainage; a damp pot with wrinkled leaves suggests damaged roots, so more water would make the problem worse.
• Leaves become yellow and soft: This often follows prolonged saturation in a dense mix. Remove mushy growth, inspect for dark roots and repot into a small, loose bark-rich mix if necessary.
• Several healthy-looking leaves drop after a move: Cold, a sudden light change or a severe dry spell can trigger leaf loss. Stabilise warmth and bright indirect light, then allow the plant time to produce new growth, watering only when the substrate approaches dryness.
• Small brown or cream bumps stick to the stems: Check if they lift off and leave sticky residue; if so, scale insects are likely. Isolate the plant and use the inspection and repeat-treatment sequence in our scale guide

Keep Dischidia nummularia away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Who first published Dischidia nummularia, and what does the name mean?

Dischidia combines Greek dis, meaning twice, with schizein, meaning to split, referring to the divided lobes of the staminal corona. Nummularia comes from the Latin nummulus, “small coin,” and means coin-like.

Robert Brown established the genus Dischidia in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, page 461.

Robert Brown first described Dischidia nummularia in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, page 461.