Plant Size: Single plant | 2.5" Pot Included
The Dischidia Imbricata, often called the Kidney Plant or Shingle Vine, is a charming, somewhat unusual epiphytic plant (it naturally grows on trees). It's known for its small, round, overlapping, or "shingling" leaves that grow flat against a support surface.
Here is a care guide for the Dischidia Imbricata (Kidney plant) :
1. Light
Bright, Indirect Light is Ideal: It thrives in a location with plenty of bright, filtered light, mimicking its natural habitat under a tree canopy.
Avoid Harsh Direct Sun: While some morning or late afternoon sun is generally okay, strong midday direct sunlight can scorch or bleach the leaves.
Low Light: Too little light will slow down growth and can lead to overwatering issues.
2. Watering
Let It Dry Out: As an epiphyte with somewhat fleshy leaves, the Dischidia stores water and is sensitive to overwatering. Allow the top half to two-thirds of the potting medium to dry out between waterings.
Watering Method: When watering, drench the medium thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes.
Mounted Plants: If your plant is mounted on cork or wood with sphagnum moss, you'll need to water more frequently, often by soaking the entire mount in water for about 15-30 minutes and then allowing it to drain fully. Let the moss become almost dry before soaking again.
Reduce in Winter: Decrease watering frequency in the cooler, darker winter months.
3. Soil / Growing Medium
Epiphytic Mix: Avoid heavy, dense potting soil. Since it grows on tree bark in nature, it requires an extremely airy, well-draining, and porous medium.
Recommended Mixes:
Orchid Bark Mix
Sphagnum Moss (especially for mounting)
A chunky mix of coconut husk chips, perlite, and a little potting mix.
Support: Since it is a "shingling" or climbing vine, it appreciates something to climb on, like a plank of wood, a moss pole, or a terracotta pot.
4. Humidity and Temperature
High Humidity: Dischidia imbricata prefers high humidity, ideally in the 50-80% range, which helps its aerial roots establish and keeps the leaves looking fresh.
Use a humidifier, place it in a naturally humid room (like a bathroom), or group it with other plants.
Warm Temperatures: Keep the plant in warm conditions, typically between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C).
Avoid Drafts: Keep it away from cold windows, air conditioning vents, and sudden temperature drops.
5. Fertilizing
Light Feeder: It doesn't need a lot of fertilizer.
Frequency: Feed once a month during the active growing season (spring and summer).
Type: Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength.
6. Repotting and Pruning
Repotting: Repotting is generally infrequent (every 2-3 years) as they don't have extensive root systems. Only increase the pot size slightly.
Pruning: You can trim the vines to maintain shape or to encourage bushier growth. Use the cuttings for propagation.
Pro-Tip: Encourage Shingling
If you want the leaves to grow flat against a surface (shingling), you must provide that surface (like a piece of cork or wood) and gently secure the new growth points to it. The plant will naturally grow aerial roots to adhere to the support.
