How to Grow and Care for a Shingle Vine

The shingle vine is a tropical plant known for its unique growth habit where leaves press flat against surfaces, creating a pattern like shingles on a roof. This captivating visual as the foliage climbs makes it a popular houseplant.

Understanding the Shingle Vine

The name “shingle vine” is a common term for several plants that exhibit a specific climbing behavior, particularly in their juvenile stage. This growth pattern is a natural strategy for these plants, which are classified as hemiepiphytes. They begin life on the forest floor and climb towards the light, pressing their leaves flat against a host tree to maximize sun exposure.

This behavior is driven by a response known as scototropism, where the plant actively grows towards darkness. This mechanism helps the young vine find the dark silhouette of a tree trunk, its primary means of support to reach the brighter canopy above. Popular examples of plants known as shingle vines include Rhaphidophora hayi, Rhaphidophora cryptantha, and Monstera dubia.

Shingle Vine Care Guide

Light

Shingle vines flourish in bright, indirect light. An ideal location is near a window where direct sunlight cannot scorch the leaves. While they can tolerate lower light conditions, consistent bright, filtered light will promote more vigorous growth.

Water

The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. Water the plant when the top one to two inches of soil feel dry to the touch. During the spring and summer growing season, you may need to water as often as three times a week, while in the winter, watering can be reduced to about once a week.

Soil

A chunky, well-draining aroid mix is ideal for these plants, as it mimics their natural environment where roots anchor into tree bark. You can create your own mix using peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark. This ensures excellent drainage and aeration for the roots.

Temperature and Humidity

As tropical natives, shingle vines thrive in warm and humid conditions, preferring temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C). They will not tolerate cold drafts or sudden temperature drops. A humidity level of 70 percent is preferred, which you can achieve with a humidifier, a pebble tray with water, or by placing the plant in a bathroom.

Fertilizer

From spring through summer, feed your plant every two to four weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half-strength. This feeding schedule supports new leaf production. It is not necessary to fertilize during the winter months when the plant’s growth slows.

Encouraging the Shingling Habit

Encouraging the shingling growth pattern requires a specific setup. A flat, vertical climbing surface is necessary for the leaves to press flush as they grow. While round moss poles can work, flat wooden planks or moss-covered boards are more effective. These surfaces provide the ideal texture for the plant’s aerial roots to grip.

To get a new plant started, guide it onto its climbing support. Secure the stem to the board using soft plant tape or string, making sure a few nodes are in contact with the surface. Over time, the plant will produce aerial roots that anchor themselves to the board, and subsequent leaves should begin to lie flat.

When a shingle vine reaches the top of its support, it may transition to its adult form by producing mature foliage. These leaves are larger, may develop fenestrations (splits or holes), and will no longer lie flat. This change is a natural progression for the plant.

Propagating Your Shingle Vine

Creating new shingle vines from a mature plant is done through stem cuttings. This is a simple way to multiply your collection or share with others. Ensure that each cutting has at least one node, which is the small bump on the stem where leaves and roots emerge.

You can root cuttings in either water or a growing medium. For water propagation, place the cutting in a jar of water with the node submerged. Alternatively, place the cutting in moist sphagnum moss or a light potting mix. For either method, provide bright, indirect light, warmth, and humidity to encourage root development.

Once a healthy root system has formed, which can take several weeks, the new plant can be potted into a suitable aroid mix. At this point, you can introduce a small climbing board to encourage the shingling habit from the start.

Common Shingle Vine Issues

If leaves are not lying flat or are growing away from their support, the plant may not be securely attached or the surface is unsuitable. Ensure the vine makes good contact with a flat, textured surface to encourage proper shingling.

Yellowing leaves on a shingle vine usually signal overwatering. Check the soil moisture and allow the top layer to dry out more between waterings. This prevents the roots from becoming saturated and should resolve the issue.

Shingle vines can be susceptible to pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Regularly inspect the leaves, especially the undersides, for any signs of an infestation. If pests are found, treat the plant with an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, ensuring thorough coverage.