Succulents are plants that can retain water in their leaves, stems, or roots.
Most of the time, they are native to dry climates where little rainfall occurs throughout the year.
This is why they are frequently seen as decorative plants – they are drought-tolerant plants specially adapted to deal with arid conditions, which is very helpful for gardeners with water conservation problems.
Although there are many different types of succulent plants, one truly stands out among the rest. It’s called Xerosicyos danguyi, also known as Silver Dollar Vine.
This succulent plant makes an excellent houseplant because it has few requirements for proper care and is also easy to propagate.
This article will provide you with all the information you need to take care of your Silver Dollar Vine succulent plant.
We will also teach you how to propagate new plants, so you can have your own Silver Dollar Vine without having to buy it all the time!
Overview
The Xerosicyos danguyi, commonly known as the Silver Dollar Vine, is a succulent vine from the Cucurbitaceae family, native to Madagascar.
The Silver Dollar Vine is a climbing vine with cylindrical stems and fleshy, rounded leaves.
Before it splits, the main stem will grow 20 inches (50 cm) tall.
The leaves are silver grey-green and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) thick, and up to 1.4 cm (3.5 cm) broad.
The flowers are small and yellowish-green, with a diameter of up to 0.25 inches (0.6 cm), which bloom in the spring to summer months.
The Xerosicyos danguyi is called by a variety of names, including:
- Silver Dollar Vine
- Silver Dollar Plant
- Dollar Vine
- Penny Plant
How To Care for Xerosicyos Danguyi (Silver Dollar Vine)
Silver Dollar Vine care is relatively straightforward.
It is adaptable to most indoor conditions and has few problems with pests or diseases if the proper care is given.
The following is the essential information regarding Xerosicyos danguyi care.
Sun Exposure & Light Requirements
The Xerosicyos danguyi succulent plant does best in bright indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to bleach and scorch.
If you’re growing your Silver Dollar Vine succulent indoors, place it near an east- or west-facing window, where the plant will get four or more hours of sunlight a day.
When growing your Silver Dollar Vine succulent outdoors, place it in a spot that will get morning sun and afternoon shade.
If you live in a climate with hot summers, provide partial shade during the early afternoon to prevent sunburned leaves.
Silver Dollar Vine succulents generally need at least four to six hours of sunlight each day.
Watering Requirements
Silver Dollar Vine (Xerosicyos danguyi) is a drought-tolerant plant that does not require frequent watering.
Though the plant will survive after being overwatered, the leaves are susceptible to water and rot easily if they are not completely dry when watered.
Therefore, keep an eye on your Silver Dollar Vine and allow the top 1/4 inch of soil to dry before watering.
The dry period between waterings (when the soil is completely dry) varies depending on the climate and time of year, but it will usually be one to three weeks during spring and summer months and one to six weeks in fall and winter.
When you water your plant, give it a good soaking so that the soil is wet down to the roots. Do not water again until the top 1/4 inch of the soil has dried out.
Soil Requirements
The Silver Dollar Vine succulent plant thrives in a well-draining soil mix. A cactus potting mix or a succulent soil mix works well for this plant.
Cacti and succulents need friable (easily crumbled), fast-draining potting soil with excellent aeration and drainage.
For this reason, potting soils for cacti and other succulents are available to use as a planting medium. These are usually fast-draining, lightweight mixtures with high sand content.
You can create your own soil mix or purchase a commercial cactus or succulent mix from a garden center.
If you choose to make your own soil mix, combine equal parts potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand.
Temperature and Humidity
Silver Dollar Vine (Xerosicyos danguyi) should be kept in temperatures between 68° – 80° Fahrenheit (20 – 27°C) during the day and 50° – 70° Fahrenheit (10 – 21°C) at night.
Xerosicyos danguyi plants thrive in dry environments with humidity levels below 50%.
If you live in a climate where the humidity is too high or cannot keep the temperature within the recommended range, consider growing Silver Dollar Vine in a pot to move it to a more suitable environment when needed.
The temperature and humidity levels need to be carefully monitored, as even slight increases can cause the plant to become more vulnerable to diseases.
Fertilizing
Xerosicyos danguyi does not require a lot of fertilizer to stay healthy. Feed once during the growing season with a weak solution of fertilizer that is balanced and diluted to about half the recommended dose.
The easiest way to do this is by mixing ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) of 20-20-20 NPK fertilizer in 1 liter of water and applying it to the soil around the plant.
Also, it is important to remember that over-fertilization of Silver Dollar Vine succulents can cause the plant to burn, so it is essential not to fertilize more than once a year.
During the winter, do not fertilize Xerosicyos danguyi.
Potting and Repotting
When potting or repotting a Silver Dollar Vine, use a pot that is only slightly larger than the current pot.
The succulent doesn’t like to be over-potted and will become root-bound quickly if not given enough space.
When potting, use a well-draining soil mix and make sure to place stones or other drainage material in the bottom of the pot before adding soil.
Use a container with drain holes in the bottom, and ensure the soil is not blocking the holes.
Silver Dollar Vines are susceptible to root rot, especially in soil that stays too wet for long periods, so make sure the pot drains well.
Remove as much old soil as possible and pot in fresh soil when repotting. Be careful not to damage the roots in the process.
After repotting, don’t water the plant for at least a week until the old soil has had time to settle and dry.
Pruning
The Xerosicyos danguyi is a climbing succulent that will grow taller and bushier with age if not pruned.
Prune the vine regularly to maintain its desired shape and size.
Use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut the stem at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf or bud, making sure to not cut into the stem’s vascular tissue.
You also need to remove any dead or diseased leaves and branches and any flowers that have finished blooming.
This helps improve airflow and sunlight exposure to all parts of the plant.
Pruning will encourage new growth, which is bright green with some silver markings on this plant.
Allowing too long vines to twist on themselves can lead to black rot at the nodes where they meet, so you also need to watch for signs of disease on pruned stems.
Pests and Diseases
The Silver Dollar Vine is a relatively hardy succulent plant that is not prone to pests and diseases.
However, a few pests and diseases can affect the plant, including mealybugs, aphids, and fungal infections.
If you notice any of these pests or diseases on your plant, take immediate action to treat them.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, white insects that suck the sap out of plants, which can cause damage to your Silver Dollar Vine.
If you see any mealybugs on your plant, carefully brush them off with a soft-bristled brush underwater and spray each leaf’s top and bottom with neem oil.
Aphids
Aphids are very tiny, sap-sucking insects with long tails.
They can cause damage to your Silver Dollar Vine and sometimes spread diseases from plant to plant.
If you see any aphids on your plant, gently remove them with a strong stream of water or use an organic pesticide.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections can occur when your Silver Dollar Vine leaves are wet for prolonged periods.
The most common type of fungal infection is powdery mildew, which causes a white powdery appearance on leaves and flowers.
If you see any signs of a fungal infection, cut off the affected parts of your plant as soon as possible and do not water unless it is dry for at least three days.
Keep your Silver Dollar Vine out of wet conditions, such as puddles from the rain or water dripping down from your roof.
Also, ensure plenty of airflow around the leaves to keep them dry and prevent powdery mildew from forming.
If you take proper care of your Silver Dollar Vine and use these precautions against pests and diseases, you should not have any problems maintaining a healthy and happy plant.
How to Care for Xerosicyos Danguyi (Silver Dollar Vine) in Winter
Xerosicyos danguyi care in winter is not very different from care in other seasons.
However, there are a few key things to keep in mind during the winter months.
- Make sure your plant has plenty of light. While it can tolerate some shade, it will need plenty of bright light to stay healthy.
- Make sure your plant is not cold. If the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, bring your plant indoors.
- Reduce watering. Xerosicyos danguyi doesn’t need a lot of water in winter, so only water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Don’t fertilize. Fertilizing during winter can cause your silver dollar plant to burn.
- Bring your plant indoors to protect it from frost damage if you’re expecting freezing temperatures.
- Monitor your plant for pests and diseases. Pests and diseases can be more common in winter, so keep an eye out for any signs of trouble.
- Bring your plant back outside in spring.
That’s all there is to it!
How To Propagate Xerosicyos Danguyi (Silver Dollar Vine)
Xerosicyos danguyi (Silver Dollar Vine) is a slow-growing vine that needs little attention if you keep it in the right conditions.
It can be propagated through seeds and stem cuttings.
Seeds
To propagate Xerosicyos danguyi through seeds, you first need to collect the seeds. The seeds are small, black, and round.
Once you have the seeds, you can start planting them.
Sow the seeds on top of moist soil and then cover them with a thin layer of soil.
Ensure that the area is well-lit, and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
When the seeds germinate, repot the plants in individual pots and keep them in a sunny location.
Stem Cuttings
If you do not have a green thumb, the best way to propagate Xerosicyos danguyi is through stem cuttings.
To propagate Xerosicyos danguyi through stem cuttings:
- Cut a healthy stem from the mother plant.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem.
- Let the cut end callous for a few days. This will help prevent the stem from rotting.
- Plant the cutting in well-draining soil and keep it in an area that gets lots of sunlight.
- Ensure that the soil is wet but not soggy, which can cause root rot.
- Keep an eye on the cutting and water it when necessary.
- The cutting will start to grow new roots in a few weeks.
- Once the cutting has grown new roots, you can transplant it into a pot or the ground.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and keep an eye on the plant to ensure it is getting enough sunlight.
If you follow these instructions, you will be able to propagate Xerosicyos danguyi easily!
Final Thoughts
Growing succulents is not tricky. They are generally straightforward to grow if they get the right conditions.
The Xerosicyos danguyi is a great plant to have in any home or garden.
It has minimal requirements, can be propagated with ease, and is a beautiful addition to any landscape.
With a little bit of care, you can have this beautiful succulent thriving in your home or garden.
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