Everything about the Shingle plant

shingle plant

Common Name: shingle plant

Latin Name: Rhaphidophora hayi

Family: Araceae

Plant Time: -

Mature Size: 8-10 ft. tall outdoors, 5 ft. tall as a housplant

Sun Preference: bright indirect light

Soil Preference: moist, well-draining soil (6.1 to 6.5 pH - slightly acidic)

Bloom Time: rarely blooms (indoors)

Flower Color: bright green

Native Area: Southeast Asia

Toxicity: Toxic to pets & humans

Growth Rate: -

Wildlife Value: -

Table of Contents

The exotic Shingle Plant (Rhaphidophora cryptantha and Rhaphidophora hayi ) is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Araceae family. This wonderful green vine is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Its leaves can grow 3 inches in length and its vines can climb to 8-10 feet.

This plant thrives in warm, tropical temperatures, thus people usually grow it as a houseplant. Caring for the Shingle Plant is relatively easy, and this makes it a very attractive choice for beginner gardeners.

Care

If you live in a warm climate (e.g.: Florida), you should not have any problem growing a Shingle plant outdoors. Anywhere else, growing it indoors is the way to go. In a nutshell: just keep it out of direct sunlight, keep it warm and moist.

  • Soil: This plant loves moist but well-draining, slightly acidic (pH 6.1 – 6.5) soil. We recommend using aroid soil mix for the best results.
  • Water: The Shingle plant is a relatively thirsty one. Since it is native to rainforests, you just cannot let its soil dry out (check the top 2 inches of the soil). Our suggestion: water it every 2-3 days.
  • Light: Nothing tricky here, just keep it out of direct light. It thrives in bright, but indirect sunlight.
  • Pruning: The Single plant does not require much pruning. Just cut off the damaged or dead leaves when they appear.

Propagation

You can easily propagate a shingle plant using stem cuttings.

  1. Cut off a small (4 to 6-inch) stem with at least 2 nodes and a leaf.
  2. Put the stem in moist soil with at least one node buried.
  3. Cover the pot with a bag and keep it in a humid, warm place for about 2 weeks.
  4. Remove the bag and put something in the pot so it can start climbing.

Common Pests

  • Mealybugs
  • Aphids
  • Scale
  • Spider mites

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are shingle plants from?

Shingle plants are native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia.

How big do shingle plants get?

Shingle plants usually get 5 feet tall indoors, but outdoors they can get up to 10 feet.

Are shingle plants toxic to cats?

Yes, the shingle plant is toxic to both cats and dogs. Even to humans.

Why is my shingle vine dying?

In case you see yellow leaves on your shingle plant, chances are you are overwatering them. Wait a few days until the next watering.

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