Dischidia ruscifolia

Million Hearts Plant, Million Hearts Dischidia

Easy careEpiphyteMildly toxic20–100 cm

Native to the Philippines, where it clings to tree trunks as a true epiphyte in tropical forest, Dischidia ruscifolia is a miniature trailing vine in the milkweed family (Apocynaceae) — its tiny, paired heart-shaped leaves arranged in facing rows along slender stems are what earn it the common name Million Hearts. In a terrarium it suits cork bark mounting or a chunky orchid bark mix, and like most epiphytes it cannot tolerate waterlogged roots; partial drying between waterings is essential. Given good drainage and steady warmth above 18 °C, it is one of the more forgiving terrarium vines to keep.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Million Hearts Plant image

Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz·CC BY-SA 4.0

Care

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

Medium (40–60%)(preferred)High (60–80%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
10°C – 29°C

Soil

Orchid mix(preferred)Well drainingSphagnum mix

Moisture

Dry(preferred)Moist

Soil pH

5.5 – 6.5

Appearance

Growth habit

TrailingClimbing

Leaf shape

Heart

Leaf texture

SucculentWaxy

Distribution

Propagation

Take a 7–13 cm cutting with two or three healthy nodes and allow the cut end to callus for a day before placing it in moist sphagnum moss or a bark-based mix. Rooting hormone speeds things up but is not essential. Keep in warm conditions (22–27 °C) with bright indirect light and elevated humidity — roots typically develop within two to four weeks. Spring and early summer cuttings root most reliably as the plant enters its growing season.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Dischidia ruscifolia

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:97038-1
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  3. 3

    Garden Pals — Million Hearts care guide

    https://gardenpals.com/million-hearts/
  4. 4

    Positive Bloom — Dischidia ruscifolia

    https://positivebloom.com/dischidia-ruscifolia/
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    Earthone.io — Dischidia ruscifolia

    https://earthone.io/plant/dischidia%20ruscifolia
  7. 7

    ForwardPlant — Dischidia ruscifolia propagation guide

    https://www.forwardplant.com/care/propagate/dischidia-ruscifolia/
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    Josh's Frogs — Dischidia ruscifolia vivarium listing

    https://joshsfrogs.com/p/dischidia-ruscifolia-million-hearts-plant066
  10. 10

    Dendroboard — Million Hearts Dischidia ruscifolia vivarium thread

    https://www.dendroboard.com/threads/million-hearts-dischidia-ruscifolia.337633/
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