The shingle plant, encompassing species like Rhaphidophora cryptantha and Marcgravia, is a distinctive houseplant. Its common name reflects its unique growth habit: leaves lie flat against a surface, overlapping like roof shingles, making it a captivating addition to indoor plant collections.
Understanding Shingle Plant Uniqueness
Shingle plants are hemi-epiphytic vines, meaning they grow both in soil and attached to other plants or structures. In their native tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea, these plants naturally climb tree trunks. The shingling growth pattern allows them to maximize light exposure in dense forest canopies, ensuring stability as they ascend. Their leaves press tightly against the climbing surface, often developing aerial roots that adhere to the support. This adaptation helps them access light as they mature, while their juvenile leaves remain small and flat against the host.
Essential Care for Shingle Plants
Shingle plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Placing them a few feet from an east or west-facing window is often suitable. Direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves. If natural light is limited, they can also flourish under artificial grow lights.
Water when the top two to three inches of potting mix feel dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure excess water drains thoroughly. During winter, their metabolism slows, requiring less frequent watering.
High humidity is beneficial, with ideal ranges often between 70% and 80%. Methods to increase humidity include placing the plant on a pebble tray, using a humidifier nearby, or grouping it with other plants. Misting offers a temporary boost and helps aerial roots attach to supports.
Shingle plants prefer warm temperatures, thriving in 65–85°F (18–29°C). Consistent warmth promotes steady growth. Protect them from cold drafts or temperatures below 55°F (13°C), as fluctuations can stress the plant.
A well-draining, airy potting mix rich in organic matter is ideal. An aroid mix, often containing orchid bark, perlite, coco coir, and horticultural charcoal, provides necessary drainage and aeration. A slightly acidic pH (6.0-7.0) is suitable. Pots should always have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
During the active growing season (spring and summer), shingle plants benefit from monthly fertilization. Apply a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. Reduce or cease fertilization during fall and winter when growth slows.
Encouraging Shingling Growth
To encourage shingling, provide a vertical support structure. Options like moss poles, cork bark, or specialized wooden planks are effective. These porous surfaces allow aerial roots to adhere and grow. Some growers use cedar planks due to their rough texture, which provides a good grip for the roots.
Guide the plant onto the support. Gently attach stems and aerial roots to the structure using soft ties, plant tape, or clear tape. Position nodes, where leaves and roots emerge, as close to the support as possible. Maintaining consistent moisture on the support surface, often by watering the plank, helps encourage aerial roots to attach firmly.
Propagating Shingle Plants
Shingle plants are commonly propagated through stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem section with at least one node; cuttings with multiple nodes and leaves generally have a higher success rate. Nodes are where new roots and growth emerge.
Place the cutting in a suitable rooting medium, such as damp sphagnum moss, perlite, or moist soil. High humidity and warmth create ideal rooting conditions. Covering the cutting with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagation box maintains humidity. Roots typically develop within several weeks.
Common Shingle Plant Issues
If a shingle plant’s leaves are not shingling, it often indicates a lack of vertical support or insufficient humidity. Provide a suitable climbing surface and ensure consistent moisture on it to encourage adherence. Low light can also hinder shingling, causing the plant to stretch for light instead of growing compactly.
Yellowing leaves can signal overwatering, potentially leading to root rot. Conversely, dry soil or low humidity can cause browning leaf tips and edges. Adjusting watering and humidity can resolve these issues. Stunted growth may result from inadequate light or nutrient deficiency. Common pests like spider mites or mealybugs can also affect shingle plants, requiring treatment.