How to Grow and Care for the Silver Dollar Plant

The Silver Dollar Plant, Xerosicyos danguyi, is a vining succulent from Madagascar prized for its unique foliage. It features thick, coin-shaped, silvery-green leaves that grow along trailing stems, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or a small trellis. It is important to distinguish this succulent from Lunaria annua, another plant called the Silver Dollar Plant, which is grown for its papery seed pods. This guide focuses on the care of the succulent vine, Xerosicyos danguyi.

Silver Dollar Plant Care

Light

The Silver Dollar Plant thrives in bright conditions, preferring at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal indoor location is a south or west-facing window. While the plant can adapt to bright, indirect light, its growth may become slower and less compact. If you notice brown or scorched spots on the leaves, filter the intense afternoon sun with a sheer curtain to prevent sunscald.

Soil

To prevent root rot, Xerosicyos danguyi requires a growing medium with excellent drainage. A commercial cactus or succulent mix is a convenient option. Alternatively, you can create your own mix by combining equal parts of standard potting soil, perlite or pumice for aeration, and coarse sand to improve drainage. This type of substrate mimics its native habitat by not holding excess water.

Water

Water this succulent thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. You can check for dryness by inserting a finger or wooden skewer two inches into the soil; if it comes out dry, it is time to water. During the winter, when the plant is dormant, its watering frequency should be significantly reduced.

Temperature and Humidity

Xerosicyos danguyi prefers average room temperatures between 65 and 80°F (18 to 27°C). This plant is not frost-hardy, so if grown outdoors, it must be brought inside before the first frost. As a desert native, it tolerates the dry air found in most homes and does not require supplemental humidity.

Fertilizer

This plant has low nutrient demands and only needs feeding during the spring and summer growing season. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents, diluted to half-strength, once a month. A low-nitrogen fertilizer is also effective. Do not fertilize in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows.

Pruning and Training

Pruning a Silver Dollar Plant helps manage its size, remove any dead stems, and encourage a fuller appearance. Cutting back the vines stimulates new branching, which results in a denser plant. When pruning, use clean, sharp scissors or shears to make precise cuts to prevent damage and reduce the risk of disease.

The plant’s tendrils will naturally grasp onto supports, allowing it to be trained up a small trellis or moss pole for a vertical accent. For a cascading effect, plant it in a hanging basket or on a high shelf and allow the vines to trail downwards.

Propagating the Silver Dollar Plant

The best time to propagate is during the spring or summer growing season. Select a healthy, mature stem and, using sterile pruners, take a cutting that includes at least three to five leaves. Set the cutting aside in a dry area for several days to allow the cut end to form a callus, which prevents rot.

Once callused, place the cutting into a pot with a well-draining soil mix. Water lightly and place the pot in bright, indirect light until roots form and new growth appears.

Common Problems

Improper watering is a frequent issue. Yellowing, soft, or mushy leaves are signs of overwatering and potential root rot; remedy this by letting the soil dry completely and adjusting your watering schedule. If the leaves are puckered or wrinkled, the plant is underwatered and needs a thorough drink.

Leggy growth, with long stretches of bare stem between leaves, results from insufficient light. Move the plant to a location with more direct sunlight to encourage compact growth. While pests are uncommon, mealybugs can appear as white, cottony masses and can be removed by dabbing them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Silver Dollar Plant Toxicity

The Silver Dollar Plant, Xerosicyos danguyi, is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. While it is not advisable to let pets or people ingest any houseplant, there is no cause for alarm if a leaf is nibbled. This makes it a suitable and safe choice for a wide range of home environments.