Mounting a shingle plant onto a board offers a unique way to display these fascinating plants, mimicking their natural climbing habit. This method highlights their distinctive growth and creates an attractive living art piece for your home.
What Are Shingle Plants and Why Mount Them?
Shingle plants, such as Rhaphidophora, Monstera, and Marcgravia, are climbing plants known for their unique growth pattern where leaves lie flat against a surface. In their native tropical rainforests, they naturally climb trees, using aerial roots to cling to bark and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and debris. This adaptation allows them to thrive in humid, shaded environments under the canopy.
Mounting these plants on a board replicates their natural growth and offers several benefits. It encourages larger, more mature leaves, a characteristic often seen in their wild counterparts. The board provides stability and support for their climbing habit, promoting healthier growth. This display method is also space-efficient for indoor environments, and the visual effect of leaves shingling flat against a board creates a distinctive aesthetic.
Getting Started: Materials and Board Preparation
To mount your shingle plant, gather the necessary materials. You will need a healthy shingle plant, such as a Rhaphidophora hayi or Monstera dubia. Select a rot-resistant mounting board like cedar, oak, or cork bark, as these materials mimic natural surfaces. A board with a rough or textured surface will provide better grip for the plant’s aerial roots.
You will also need sphagnum moss, which is excellent for retaining moisture around the plant’s roots. Soak the moss in water for about 2-3 minutes until it is fully hydrated and pliable, then squeeze out any excess water so it is damp but not dripping. To secure the plant, have fishing line, floral wire, or plant-safe staples readily available. Scissors or a sharp knife will be useful for trimming, and optional hanging hardware, such as Command hooks or picture wire, can be added to the board for display.
Prepare the mounting board. If the board does not have pre-drilled holes or a hanging mechanism, drill a hole at the top or attach appropriate hardware for hanging. Drill 8-12 nails into the board in a circular pattern, slightly wider than the plant’s root ball, to help secure the moss and plant. For the initial moss application, apply a thin layer of damp sphagnum moss to the area where the plant will sit, which provides an immediate moisture source for the roots.
Mounting Your Shingle Plant
Begin mounting your shingle plant onto the board by carefully removing it from its pot. Gently shake off any excess soil from the root ball, being delicate to avoid damaging the roots.
Position the plant on the prepared board, ensuring the stem and any existing aerial roots contact the surface. Arrange the plant aesthetically, aligning its natural climbing direction with the board. Apply a generous amount of damp sphagnum moss around the roots, molding it to cover the root ball and stem base. Ensure the moss contacts both the plant and board, creating a moist environment.
Secure the plant and moss firmly using fishing line or floral wire. Tie one end of the line to a nail or drilled hole on the board.
Wrap the line tightly around the moss and plant, crisscrossing it over the root ball and stem to hold everything in place. Ensure the material is taut enough for stability but does not cut into the plant. Continue wrapping until secure, then tie off the line with a firm knot and trim any excess.
Ongoing Care for Board-Mounted Shingle Plants
Consistent care is important for the health and shingling habit of your mounted shingle plant. Watering for board-mounted plants differs from potted ones; the moss should remain consistently moist. Water by soaking the entire board in a basin of water for 15-20 minutes, allowing the moss to fully rehydrate, or by thoroughly misting the moss and roots daily or every other day. Allow the moss to dry slightly between waterings, but avoid letting it become completely dry, which can make it hydrophobic.
Shingle plants thrive in bright, indirect light, mimicking the filtered sunlight they receive under a rainforest canopy. Place your mounted plant near a window with ample ambient light, shielded from direct afternoon sun that can scorch delicate leaves. If natural light is insufficient, supplemental artificial grow lights can provide illumination.
High humidity, ideally above 60%, is crucial to encourage aerial roots to attach and leaves to shingle properly. Maintain high humidity by grouping the plant with other houseplants, using a pebble tray, or placing it near a humidifier. Regular misting also contributes to a humid microclimate.
During the growing season (typically spring and summer), fertilize monthly with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. Reduce or cease fertilization during fall and winter when growth slows. Pruning is minimal, but trim leggy growth or yellowing leaves to maintain shape. If the plant outgrows its board, refresh the moss or re-mount it onto a larger support to continue shingling growth.
Common Challenges and Solutions
When growing shingle plants on boards, you may encounter a few common challenges. A frequent issue is leaves not adhering or roots not grasping the board, often stemming from insufficient humidity. Increasing humidity through misting, humidifiers, or grouping plants can encourage aerial root attachment. Patience is also important, as establishment and shingling take time.
Brown or crispy leaves usually indicate low humidity or underwatering. Assess your watering routine to ensure the moss remains consistently moist, and enhance humidity levels. Conversely, yellowing leaves can signal overwatering or a nutrient deficiency. Check that the moss is not waterlogged and allow it to dry slightly between waterings; if the issue persists, consider a balanced liquid fertilizer application during the growing season.
If your shingle plant exhibits slow growth or stagnation, review its environmental conditions. Ensure it receives adequate bright, indirect light, as too little light hinders growth. Confirm humidity levels are consistently high and provide a regular feeding schedule during active growth periods. Watch for common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs. If detected, isolate the plant and treat with an appropriate organic pest control method, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, to prevent infestation.