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
Etymology
The specific epithet "danguyi" (pronounced "DAN-guy-ee") honors Paul Auguste Danguy (1862-1942), a French botanist.
Origin
Xerosicyos danguyi is native to southwestern Madagascar.
Description
Xerosicyos danguyi is a dioecious, climbing succulent with slender, cylindrical stems branching from the base and bearing thick, fleshy, grey-green leaves. The plants grown from seed will form a caudex. The leaves are obovate to almost spherical, measuring up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, 1.4 cm (3.5 cm) wide, and 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) thick.
The inconspicuous, greenish-yellow flowers appear in early spring and can reach a diameter of 0.25 inches (0.6 cm).
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°F to 48°F (5°C 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.
Pot culture in summer must be regularly watered during the vegetative period, but allow the soil to dry up completely before watering again. In winter, it's to be kept dry. Preferably not to water on overcast, humid, or cold winter days. Xerosicyos adapts to most soil types but is not too heavy in texture; good drainage is desirable. If grown in a pot as an indoor plant, use soil for succulent plants, with low food needs. It should be fertilized only once during the active growing period.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Xerosicyos.
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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