Photo: Daderot, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain dedication).
LightVery bright light with at least four hours of direct sun at…
WaterSoak the pot until water runs from the drainage holes, then…
ToxicityNot ASPCA-listed
Mature sizeStems can reach 5 m (16 ft) in habitat…
Silver Dollar Vine is a climbing succulent with flat, round, silver-green leaves about the size of a coin, spaced along thin grey stems. It comes from dry parts of Madagascar and is grown indoors for the coin-shaped foliage and its habit of trailing from a shelf or climbing a frame.
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Care data checked 25 September 2026 · Dany · A-Z Plants
Light requirements
Very bright light with at least four hours of direct sun at a south or west window, or a place under a grow light.
Too much light: full summer sun after a dark winter can bleach and scorch the leaves, so build up exposure gradually.
Too little light: stems stretch long and thin with wide gaps between leaves, and the oldest leaves yellow and fall.
Watering
Soak the pot until water runs from the drainage holes, then let the mix dry out completely before soaking again, which in summer works out to a deep soak about once a month for a mature plant. In winter keep it almost dry, giving only enough to stop the leaves shrivelling. Overwatering and poor drainage are what kill it, so never water on a cold, dark week.
Soil
A cactus or succulent mix with plenty of grit, in a terracotta pot with a large drainage hole. One part loam, one part peat and two parts coarse sand or grit works well. It needs a larger pot than the top growth suggests, because its root system is big.
Feeding
Low needs. One feed of half-strength cactus fertiliser early in the growing season, plus a second light feed in midsummer, is enough. Do not feed in winter.
Temperature & humidity
18 to 27 degrees C (65 to 81 degrees F) in summer, with a cooler, drier winter rest at about 10 to 15 degrees C (50 to 59 degrees F). It will survive close to 5 degrees C (41 degrees F) when dry, but 10 degrees C (50 degrees F) is a safer floor indoors. It prefers dry air and does not need misting.
What to expect
Stems can reach 5 m (16 ft) in habitat when they find support, but indoors expect 60 to 120 cm (24 to 47 in) of growth over a few years, and less when trailing from a hanging pot. Growth is slow to moderate. Plants grown from seed form a swollen caudex at the base, while cuttings do not.
Varieties & cultivars
Xerosicyos perrieri, a liana with thinner stems and smaller green leaves.
Xerosicyos pubescens, a related Madagascar species with softer, hairier growth that drops its leaves in the dry season.
Xerosicyos danguyi grown from seed, if you want the caudex-forming form rather than a cutting.
Xerosicyos (Silver Dollar Vine): questions
Is Xerosicyos (Silver Dollar Vine) toxic to cats and dogs?
Not ASPCA-listed, so there is no safety ruling for this plant and it cannot be called pet safe on that basis. Watch the name, because the ASPCA entry called Silver Dollar is…
How much light does Xerosicyos (Silver Dollar Vine) need?
Very bright light with at least four hours of direct sun at a south or west window, or a place under a grow light. - Too much light: full summer sun after a dark winter can bleach and scorch the leaves, so build up exposure gradually. - Too little light: stems stretch long and thin with wide gaps…
How often should I water Xerosicyos (Silver Dollar Vine)?
Soak the pot until water runs from the drainage holes, then let the mix dry out completely before soaking again, which in summer works out to a deep soak about once a month for a mature plant. In winter keep it almost dry, giving only enough to stop the leaves shrivelling. Overwatering and poor…
How big does Xerosicyos (Silver Dollar Vine) get?
Mature size indoors: Stems can reach 5 m (16 ft) in habitat….
