Sonerila dongii, a recently described species native to the Lam Dong province in Vietnam, is notable for its unique chocolate-brown mottling on lime green foliage and vibrant pink flowers. This member of the Melastomataceae family is relatively easy to care for indoors, especially compared to other Sonerila species, which are often more delicate. Its compact, succulent growth habit and striking foliage make it a good candidate for terrariums or carefully humidified environments.
Sonerila dongii is native to the high-humidity tropical forests of southern Vietnam. These origins contribute to its preference for moist, well-drained soil and consistently high humidity, which should be replicated indoors for optimal growth.
Sonerila dongii requires a balance of moisture, with a preference for evenly moist soil. Water moderately, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between waterings to avoid root rot. Since it’s somewhat succulent, avoid overwatering, particularly in lower light or cooler conditions.
This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate low light but may exhibit richer leaf coloration with higher light levels, provided it’s filtered to avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Ideal placement would be near an east or north-facing window or under a grow light if natural light is insufficient.
High humidity, ideally above 60%, is essential for Sonerila dongii, making it well-suited for a terrarium environment. Alternatively, place it near a humidifier or use a pebble tray to maintain consistent humidity around the plant, especially in dry indoor climates.
This plant prefers warm temperatures ranging from 18-26°C (65-79°F) and does not tolerate cold well. It should be kept away from drafts and sudden temperature drops, as these can cause stress and slow its growth.
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All plants are shipped in their plastic nursery pot unless otherwise stated.
Plant pot sizes can fluctuate +/- 1cm.
We recommend to always size up your decorative pot by 1-2cm larger than the stated plant pot size. For example if you are purchasing a 12cm plant, you should purchase a 14cm decorative pot to ensure it will fit correctly.
We pride ourselves on the love and care with give our plants. Our entire team are plant obsessives at heart and so we go above and beyond to care for the plants we have in stock.
That said, plants are living beings and may differ slightly from the photo provided unless otherwise stated. Small leaf imperfections may be present and won't be compensated for. Some plants such as Begonia may suffer slight leaf melt when shipped. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
All our plants are stores and/or grown in our nursery under LED lighting. The conditions in our nursery are a minimum of 60% humidity and 19C year round.
