Dischidia

Family. Asclepiadaceae.

Origin. Philippines.

Description. The genus Dischidia includes about 80 species of unusual evergreen herbaceous perennials, often grown as houseplants. Some specimens have long drooping stems bearing garlands of light green leaves arranged in pairs, others have large plump leaves up to 10 cm long. The shades of the leaves vary from light green, yellow to dark with white veins; variegated varieties have leaves with a yellow edge. In the wild, they lead an epiphytic lifestyle; their distinctive feature is that the plump leaves have a cavity inside which ants find shelter. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, collected in axillary inflorescences - umbrellas of white, red and pink tubular flowers.

Height. Up to 50 cm. 

Care at home

Reproduction 

Propagated by semi-mature stem cuttings rooted in spring and summer. Place young seedlings in partial shade and warmth. Seeds sown in spring. Fresh seeds germinate faster.

Flowering time

Various, dischidia can bloom at any time of the year. 

Temperature conditions

Maintain at room temperature all year round. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 13°C.

Lighting

Vines can grow in low light conditions, but indoors they require a well-lit location protected from direct sunlight. If the bush gets too much light, its leaves turn reddish.

Substrate

Grow in loose soil with good drainage, based on sphagnum moss, crushed pine bark or coconut fibers. 

Feeding

This species does not require special feeding, as it lures insects into its leaves and feeds on their remains. Feed occasionally - about once a month during the period of active growth with fertilizers in half concentration.

Spraying

Mist the leaves regularly, place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles, or use a room humidifier to increase humidity. The flower likes high humidity combined with good air circulation.

Watering

Water generously during warmer months, but allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. Dischidia gets its moisture mainly from dew, so water sparingly. Soft water is preferable for watering.

Transplant

In the spring. 

Pests and diseases

The plant can rot if it is over-moistened and stagnant in water. Among the harmful insects, the flower can be attacked by spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids.

Purpose

Looks great in a hanging basket, with the stems hanging over the edge of the pot.

Varieties:

Dischidia pectenoides

An attractive decorative foliage plant with long, flexible shoots, on which leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and sometimes aerial roots appear. When damaged, the shoots secrete white milk. Dischidia leaves come in two types - some are thick, juicy, lanceolate, others are round, swollen, light green. Large swollen leaves attract ants, which in their natural environment live inside the leaves and protect the plant from pests and feed on the remains of their vital activity. During the flowering period, this unusual plant adorns itself with small red flowers.

This variety looks extremely attractive as an hanging plant. 

Dischidia Ruscifolia

A spectacular evergreen hanging plant with long (up to 1 m), light green, drooping shoots. The leaves are thick, glossy, heart-shaped, on short petioles. During the flowering period, small but very attractive, drooping, delicate, bell-shaped flowers - white or slightly pinkish - appear in the axils of the leaves. When grown as a houseplant, dischidia can bloom throughout the year.

There are variegated or variegated forms of this plant. 

Dischidia ovata

A liana with thin, green shoots and thick, oval leaves arranged in opposite pairs. The leaf blades are green with light veins, reminiscent of the color of a watermelon. When grown in light, the leaves may take on a burgundy hue. The flowers are pinkish-orange, bell-shaped, collected in small axillary inflorescences. 

Dischidia hirsuta

Another valuable representative of decorative foliage plants is an evergreen vine with very thin shoots and thick, glossy, heart-shaped leaves. The color of the leaves is variable and can be dark or light green or burgundy. Some plants have a thin silver stripe in the center of the leaf blades. The flowers are small, axillary, burgundy or brown with light - almost white tips of the petals.

Dischidia nummularia

An evergreen variety with climbing, thick shoots up to 1.5 m long, on which very thick, light green, rounded leaves with a diameter of up to 1 cm are located in opposite pairs. The buds are collected in few-flowered axillary inflorescences, which appear in almost every leaf node throughout the length of the stems. The flowers are small, delicate, white.