Million Hearts Plant also known as Dischidia Ruscifolia is named for its many heart-shaped leaves growing on trailing stems which look beautiful when planted in a pot or around a hanging basket. Million Hearts Plant is a variety of epiphytes which actually means that it grows on top of another plant called phorophytes and gets its moisture and nutrients from the surroundings. Million Hearts Plant has small white flowers that grow readily and have a very nice fragrance. Million Hearts Plant is a native of Asia so let us look at how to care for this plant
How to Grow and Care for Million Hearts Plant
As Million Hearts Plant is an epiphyte it has different care requirements than that of other plants let’s look at them in detail
Light Requirements
Million Hearts plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. They prefer a location that receives several hours of bright, filtered light each day so keeping them in front of an east-facing window would be perfect as it would expose them to the morning sun but not the harsh afternoon sun. If they get exposed to direct sunlight first their leaves will start turning reddish and if exposed to too much direct sunlight it can scorch their leaves so avoid exposing them too directly to the sun.
Soil Requirements
Million Hearts plants are an epiphyte so they cannot be grown in normal potting soil instead they grow by attaching their roots to a tree. If you want to plant this in a pot you should plant them with Lecca or with orchid bark. You can plant them in a soilless medium with Orchid bark mix along with coco husk chips so as to increase acidity and keep the pH of 6. Try to hydrate Orchid bark mix or coco husk chips by soaking them in water before using them. If you want to use soil ensure that you provide these plants with a very loose potting mix and also ensure that they have very good air circulation around them a coconut coir potting mix might work with them.
You can also try and add sphagnum moss to the roots of the plant and mount the plant to a moss pole after tying it up.
Water Requirements
Million Hearts plants require less water so the best approach is to water the pot well and then let the potting soil dry out before watering it again. Always check and see and only water if the plant is about to dry out. When watering try to water all over so that the plant is thoroughly soaked. If you are using moss or orchid bark as your medium then all you need to do is soak either the pot or the moss ball in the water for 20 minutes and you are good to go. As this plant is an epiphyte you can even lightly wet the leaves of the plant while watering and it will absorb the moisture from it but don’t let your leaves remain wet for too long as they may end up rotting.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature range for Dischidia Ruscifolia is between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 and 27 degrees Celsius. This plant is hardy for outdoors in USDA zones 11 a and 11b. It can handle too hot and too cold conditions but if the temperature rises too quickly you should keep this plant next to Lecca and pebbles in water and temperature drops then you should keep it close to a heater.
Humidity Requirements
Dischidia Ruscifolia does well in 40 to 60% humidity which is found in an average household. If humidity is low you can again keep this plant next to Lecca or pebbles in water or you can use a humidifier to increase humidity.
Fertilizer Requirements
Fertilize the million hearts plant from March to September during the growing season in Spring and Summer every 20 to 25 days. Don’t fertilize during winter as the plant is dormant during this period. The ideal fertilizer for this plant is NPK 20-20-20 or 9-9-9. Don’t forget to dilute the fertilizer before applying it to the plant. You can also add some chalk near the roots of the plant to increase acidity which can also increase the growth.
Pruning Million Hearts Plant?
You should only prune the million hearts plant when it starts to cascade i.e when it starts to create a waterfall effect and looks like it is about to fall off. Wear gloves when pruning this plant as the sap that comes out on cutting can cause sometimes redness in the skin and even burns to the skin. The cascading stems that you cut can be used for propagating the plant.
How to Propagate Million Hearts Plant?
Million Hearts plants are relatively easy to propagate through stem cuttings using water as a medium making it a great way to share your plant with others or to create new plants. Here’s how to propagate a Million Hearts plant through stem cuttings:
- Select a healthy stem from the mother plant that has several leaves and nodes. Cut a section of the stem that is about 4-6 inches long using a sharp and sterile knife or scissors.
- Always cut the stem diagonally so that more water can pass through the stem.
- You can apply honey and cinnamon to cut edges in order to disinfect the plant and save it from pests until new roots come through.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom parts of the stem, leaving a few leaves at the top.
- Place the stem cuttings in the water.
- Change your water once every week and if you see any cloudiness change your water immediately.
- Wait two weeks and you will see roots have developed
- Once the roots have developed, you can transplant the new plant to a larger pot with coco husk chips.
Propagating Million Hearts plants through stem cuttings is a fun and rewarding way to expand your plant collection or share your love for plants with others. With the right conditions and care, your new plants will grow into healthy and thriving specimens.
Million Hearts Plant Potting and Repotting
Repotting the Million hearts plant is a little tricky as it is an epiphyte and you will have to check before reporting depending upon whether you are using soil or Lecca. If you are using soil then you have to first check to see if the roots of your current pot are visible at the bottom of the pot before looking at repotting. If you are using a soilless medium like Lecca or orchid bark or moss then you have to look at the roots and if it looks like they have outgrown the medium and are trying to come out then it is time to repot them. To repot these plants you have to gently untangle the roots first and then follow the same process as potting depending on the medium be careful to pick a pot larger than your current pot for a correct repotting.
Million Hearts Plant Pests
Million heart Plant is usually free from pests until something goes wrong with care like overwatering or if the soil is too dense and is unable to drain properly if that happens they are susceptible to mealybugs and aphids. The best way to get rid of pests is to spray neem oil or use some alcohol or dish soap with water and if that doesn’t work and if nothing works you can always use a fungicide.
Million Hearts Plant Diseases
Million heart Plant is usually free from diseases but sometimes it can be susceptible to plant diseases like botrytis rots and rusts. If infected with these diseases you will see the plant having yellow or brown leaves and the whole plant will start looking dull. If infected with diseases the only way out is to apply a fungicide and cut out the infected part of the plant.
Common problems with Million Hearts Plant
a) Yellowing of Leaves
Yellowing of leaves in Dischidia Ruscifolia can be either due to pests or due to issues with soil. You need to check if the soil is either too dense or too hard which is making drainage difficult and if need be change the potting mix. Another issue can be that the soil is too wet in which case you should make the soil pass through some air and make it drier. You should always cut off the yellow leaves otherwise they may attract more pests
Toxicity
Dischidia Ruscifolia is considered toxic to both humans and pets because of its sap and flowers both of which should not be touched. In fact, humans should wear gloves when pruning this plant as the sap can cause irritation to the skin if you are facing redness in the skin you should immediately pour water that is lukewarm over the affected area to relieve yourself from the issue. In pets, if they swallow the sap it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, or burns so try to keep the plant away from the reach of the pets
Best Uses
Dischidia Ruscifolia plants can be used as a statement piece whether you are using them indoors or outdoors. Outdoors you can plant in such a way that it can climb a moss pole or you can make it a landscape feature. When planting it outdoors try to give it the base of a tree with strong bark because this plant will take over the whole space. Indoors if you have a room with bright light and good sun you can use it on the coffee table.
Conclusion
Million Hearts plants are a great addition to any home or garden. With their heart-shaped leaves, vibrant colors, and low-maintenance requirements, these plants are a versatile choice. By following the care tips we’ve outlined, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of these lovely plants for years to come.
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