Key Facts
- A small trailing epiphytic vine with round succulent leaves
- Native to tropical Asia and nearby islands
- Grown as a houseplant or mounted epiphyte
- Prefers bright indirect light and humid conditions
- Does best in a fast draining airy potting mix
- Typically propagated by stem cuttings
- Not frost tolerant and kept indoors in cool climates
- Produces small inconspicuous flowers when happy
Button Orchid is a small trailing epiphytic vine with round succulent leaves grown as a houseplant or mounted on bark. It suits hanging baskets and mounts where bright filtered light and high humidity are available, but it will not tolerate frost.
Identification
Dischidia nummularia has small round succulent leaves along thin trailing stems that root at nodes when given contact with a moist surface. Leaves are typically coin shaped and the plant forms cascading strands suited to hanging baskets and mounted displays. Mature plants may produce small inconspicuous flowers when healthy.
Best uses and where to grow
Use Button Orchid as a hanging houseplant, in a terrarium, or mounted on tree fern or cork bark to mimic its epiphytic habit. Outdoors it belongs in frost free areas roughly within USDA zones 10 to 11 and should be brought indoors before cold weather if kept elsewhere.
Light and temperature
Provide bright indirect light or filtered sun while avoiding prolonged hot direct rays that scorch leaves. The plant tolerates partial shade and prefers warm humid air, so locate it near a bright window with morning light or under eaves outdoors where it receives dappled sun.
Soil and watering
Grow Button Orchid in an airy fast draining mix such as orchid bark combined with coarse potting medium or wrapped sphagnum on a mount. Water moderately and allow the medium to dry slightly between thorough waterings because standing wet conditions lead to root rot and leaf loss.
Propagation
Propagate easily by stem cuttings rooted in a free draining mix or by wrapping nodes in damp sphagnum until roots form. Layering on a mount achieves quick establishment when nodes touch a moist mounting material, and new plants root readily from those contact points.
Maintenance and pruning
Prune to control length and encourage bushier growth by snipping stems back to a node. Feed lightly during active growth using a balanced houseplant fertilizer at reduced strength. Remove spent stems and tidy old growth to maintain airflow and reduce the chance of rot.
Pests and safety
Inspect regularly for common houseplant pests such as mealybugs and scale and treat infestations early. There are no authoritative toxicity listings found but safety records are incomplete, so keep the plant away from curious pets and children pending confirmation from local poison control.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Button Orchid grow?
- Growth rate varies with light humidity and temperature. In bright warm humid conditions it will produce noticeably longer trailing stems within a single growing season.
- Is Button Orchid toxic to pets?
- No authoritative listings were located during review. Still keep the plant out of reach of pets until local poison control confirms safety.
- Can I grow it mounted on bark?
- Yes it adapts well to mounts and will root into sphagnum or bark, making mounts an excellent way to showcase its epiphytic habit.
- How often should I water Button Orchid?
- Water thoroughly then let the medium dry slightly. Avoid keeping the roots waterlogged since poor drainage causes rot and leaf drop.
- Will it flower indoors?
- It may produce small inconspicuous flowers when mature and healthy, but flowering depends on season and growing conditions and is not guaranteed.
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