Dischidia Ruscifolia looks spectacular with its hanging clusters of small leaves. Here’s all about Growing Million Hearts!
Also popular as Million Hearts, Dischidia Ruscifolia is a perfect specimen for hanging baskets and looks amazing with its dangling stems full of small and dense leaves.
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Dischidia Ruscifolia Plant Information
Native to the Philippines, Dischidia Ruscifolia is an epiphyte that grows on other plants like trees or their branches. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors. The plant features slender shoots and small foliage and also grows white flowers in the right growing conditions.
It is an easy-to-grow houseplant and looks perfect in hanging baskets or containers near a sunny window.
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Propagating Dischidia Ruscifolia
You can propagate Dischidia Ruscifolia easily by using stem cuttings.
Take 4-6 inches-long stems with nodes using clean, sharp knives or shears. Let the cut part heal and callous for a day and then plant it in a well-draining potting mix like sphagnum moss. Water well, and keep it where it can get bright and indirect light.
In 2-3 weeks, the cuttings will form new roots.
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Requirements for Growing Dischidia Ruscifolia
Light
Dischidia Ruscifolia grows best in bright and indirect light. To boost the coloration, expose the plant to the mild morning sun for 2-3 hours daily. In direct sunlight, the foliage turns a bit red-hued though too much sun can burn the foliage.
Keep it safe from the harsh light of the afternoon sun.
Soil
Avoid using regular garden soil to grow Dischidia Ruscifolia. Use shredded bark, orchid potting mix, coco coir, or a mixture of all these three.
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Water
Allow the potting mix to dry out between watering. Keep the medium evenly moist at all times but not soggy. The best method to follow is to mist the growing medium using a spray bottle when it feels a little dry to the touch.
Temperature and Humidity
It thrives in humid conditions and loves a temperature range of 40-80°F or 4-27°C. Install a humidifier or keep its pot on a pebble tray filled with water if your indoor air is dry.
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Dischidia Ruscifolia Care
Fertilizer
The plant grows at a slow pace so don’t worry much when it comes to feeding it. To boost the growth and color of the leaves, you can feed the plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to 1/2 of its strength, once in 4-6 weeks.
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Pests and Diseases
Be careful of pests like mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, and fungus gnats. Use insecticidal soap to get rid of them. Avoid overwatering or soggy soil to prevent root rot.
Toxicity
Dischidia Ruscifolia is mildly toxic if consumed in large quantities due to the milky sap it oozes from the foliage. To be on the safe side, keep it away from pets and children.
