Scientific Name
Xerosicyos danguyi Humbert
Common Name(s)
Silver Dollar Plant, Silver Dollar Vine, Dollar Vine, Penny Plant
Scientific Classification
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Subfamily: Zanonioideae
Tribe: Zanonieae
Subtribe: Zanoniinae
Genus: Xerosicyos
Description
Xerosicyos danguyi is a dioecious climbing succulent with slender cylindrical stems branching from the base and thick fleshy grey-green leaves. The plants grown from seed will form a caudex. Leaves are obovate to almost spherical, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, up to 1.4 cm (3.5 cm) wide, and up to 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) thick. The inconspicuous flowers are greenish-yellow and up to 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) in diameter and appear in early spring.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
A location with full sun is best, although Xerosicyos plants can grow in partial shade. During the winter months, Xerosicyos plants are kept at a temperature of around 41 to 48 °F (5 to 9 °C) and are watered only to keep the leaves from shriveling. USDA hardiness zone 9-11. They are extremely drought tolerant. A deep soaking once a month in the summer will keep the plant looking good.
For pot culture in summer, it must be regularly watered during the vegetative period but allow the soil to dry up before watering again completely. In winter, it's to be kept dry. Preferable not to water on overcast days, humid days, or cold winter days. Xerosicyos adapt to most soil types but are not too heavy in texture; good drainage is desirable. If grown in a pot as an indoor plant, use soil for succulent plants. Low food needs. They should be fertilized only once during the active growing period.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Xerosicyos.
Origin
This species is native to southwestern Madagascar.
Links
- Back to genus Xerosicyos
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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