Malayan Holly Plant Care
Pichinia disticha S.Y.Wong & P.C.Boyce
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pichinia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Araceae. The only species is Pichinia disticha.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Malayan Holly?
Water Malayan Holly every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Malayan Holly?
Malayan Holly (Pichinia disticha) belongs to the Araceae family within the Pichinia genus. Malayan Holly is also known as Christmas Berry.
Malayan Holly displays a tall, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Malayan Holly produces small, inconspicuous flowers surrounded by a spadix.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Malayan Holly?
Pichinia disticha requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Malayan Holly Need?
Malayan Holly thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Malayan Holly in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Malayan Holly Prefer?
Pichinia disticha grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Malayan Holly prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Malayan Holly?
Rich, well-draining peat-based mix with perlite. Good drainage is essential for Malayan Holly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Malayan Holly?
Feed Malayan Holly every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Malayan Holly?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Malayan Holly?
Malayan Holly can be propagated through division, offsets, air layering.
Is the Malayan Holly Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Malayan Holly?
Malayan Holly is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Malayan Holly Need?
Malayan Holly grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Malayan Holly as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Malayan Holly is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pichinia genus — compare its care with other Pichinia species on PlantoScan.
Pichinia is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Malayan Holly copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pichinia disticha S.Y.Wong & P.C.Boyce, family Araceae (first published in Gard. Bull. Singapore 61: 545 (2010)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Malayan Holly is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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