The Watermelon dischidia, also known by its scientific name of Dischidia ovata, is a charming vining plant with the most adorable egg-shaped leaves. With faint, light creamy green venation overlayed on the dark green leaves, this plant resembles a mini watermelon, giving this plant its common name!
Because of its growing habits, the Watermelon dischidia is a low maintenance plant that requires minimal hands-on care. This Dischidia ovata care guide will touch on all the important needs so you can grow a beautiful specimen and enjoy it for years!
Table of contents
If you’re looking to add some pretty greenery to your living space, you can’t go wrong with the Dischidia ovata. This plant is named for the “ovate,” or egg-shaped, leaves, which are usually dark green with white or light green striations. Due to its unique markings, it’s commonly known as the Watermelon Dischidia.
In the United States, the Dischidia ovata is optimized for outdoor life in USDA zone 11, which encompasses coastal regions such as southern California, Florida, and Hawaii. For people who live outside of these areas, it’s recommended to keep this plant in the home, a greenhouse, or a terrarium.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Watermelon dischidia
- Scientific Name: Dischidia ovata
- Mature Size: 2-3 inches high with cascading 3+ foot long vines
- Sunlight: bright, indirect light
- Water: when top 3 inches of soil are dry
- Soil: loose, aerated, well-draining
- Temperature: 55°F-90°F
- Propagation: stem cuttings
- Hardiness Zone: 11
- Toxicity: non-toxic to humans and pets
Growth Pattern and Habits
Dischidia ovata is a great example of an epiphyte. An epiphyte is a large group of plants from a wide range of species that grow on other plants. Rather than taking root in soil, epiphytes will establish themselves on supportive surfaces like tree bark, volcanic rocks, or even other epiphytes.
Epiphytes spread by climbing with their trailing vines that produce their own roots, allowing them to seek out the ideal places to grow. Once established, these plants will absorb water and nutrients from the air using a specialized network of aerial roots.
Thanks to this unique method of survival, the Dischidia ovata is surprisingly low maintenance when raised as a houseplant. While the Dischidia ovata is an epiphyte, it can also grow in well draining, loose soil. It needs minimal watering, sunlight, pruning, and attention. In fact, the wilder it grows, the better it looks!
To show off its best feature, I suggest planting the Dischidia ovata in a hanging basket where it can drape over the edges. Because the vines cascading over the edge can grow over three feet long, you can enjoy full dramatic effect when placed on higher surfaces around your house.
Sunlight
Native to New Guinea and some tropical regions of Australia, the Dischidia ovata is used to life in the rainforest canopy with plentiful, dappled sunlight. As a houseplant, it does best when it’s placed near a bright window, in bright indirect light.