Repotting guide

When & how to repot String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia)

Also called String of Coins, String of Buttons, Button Orchid, Coin-leaf Dischidia.

More about string of nickels

About String of Nickels

Dischidia nummularia · also called String of Coins, String of Buttons · houseplant

String of Nickels is an epiphytic trailing plant native to tropical Asia and Australia, prized for its cascading strings of small, round, coin-shaped leaves. It wants bright indirect light, an airy fast-draining epiphytic mix, and high humidity. It is not on the ASPCA list and its milky sap may cause mild stomach upset and skin irritation, so keep it away from curious pets.

Mature size: trailing to 0.6-1.5 m (2-5 ft)

Watch for — Root and leaf rot: Caused by overwatering or a dense, moisture-retentive mix that keeps the epiphytic roots wet.

How to tell string of nickels needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For string of nickels, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot string of nickels

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. String of Nickels's growth habit — epiphytic trailing/cascading vine — sets the pace. String of Nickels is an epiphytic trailing plant native to tropical Asia and Australia, prized for its cascading strings of small, round, coin-shaped leaves. It wants bright indirect light, an airy fast-draining epiphytic mix, and high humidity. It is not on the ASPCA list and its milky sap may cause mild stomach upset and skin irritation, so keep it away from curious pets.

What size pot to step string of nickels up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. String of Nickels stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot string of nickels

Spring or summer, while string of nickels is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting string of nickels

Repot dry. Do not water string of nickels for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty airy, fast-draining epiphytic mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set string of nickels at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep string of nickels completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for string of nickels

String of Nickels wants airy, fast-draining epiphytic mix. Use a very loose, well-aerated medium such as orchid bark, sphagnum moss, coco coir, or a cactus/succulent mix amended with perlite. A standard dense potting soil holds too much moisture and suffocates the roots. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting string of nickels — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot string of nickels?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for string of nickels. Repot string of nickels every 2–3 years into a snug pot of airy, fast-draining epiphytic mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does string of nickels need?

When is the best time of year to repot string of nickels?

Should you water string of nickels after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot string of nickels into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise string of nickels after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting string of nickels. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.