- Rare Tropical
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light)
- Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 8 Feet
Rhaphidophora cryptantha is one of the most unusual houseplants available. The heart-shaped, dark-green leaves grow flat against a host plant or plant support in an overlapping style, resembling a roof's shingles. This tropical vining plant may look challenging to grow, but it is in fact, easy and low maintenance. Juvenile versions of the Shingle Plant are used in terrariums where they stay small.
Best Locations For Growing Shingle Plant
Shingle Plants originate from the jungles of New Guinea and need diffused light and high humidity. Growing this plant in a kitchen or bathroom would be ideal. Lower light levels in an office or basement can be boosted with artificial grow lights. Always keep the Shingle Plant out of reach of children or pets. All parts of the plant are toxic.
Shingle Plant Sunlight Requirements
Shingle Plant needs indirect light so that the deep colors of their leaves do not get bleached or burned. Place the plant a few feet away from an east- or west-facing window. Growing Shingle Plant outdoors during the summer gives it the humidity and heat it craves. Be sure to provide the plant shade from the direct sun at midday or late afternoon.
Shingle Plant Care
Shingle Plant is in the genus Aroid and is classified as a hemiepiphyte. This means that the plant starts as a terrestrial plant, germinating from a seed and growing roots in the soil, and matures into an epiphyte, with the top growth attached to other plants. The Shingle Plant likes to have soil that is rich and well-draining. Used peat-based potting soil with plenty of perlite mixed in. Repotting is infrequent and only necessary when the roots appear from the bottom of the container. Give the Shingle Plant a support to climb. Moss-covered poles or flat pieces of cedar board are typically used.
Watering Shingle Plant
Shingle Plant likes to have moist soil that dries out in between watering. When the top 3-4 inches of soil are dry, soak the pot, letting the excess water drain out thoroughly. Do not leave these plants sitting in saucers of water for longer than 20-30 minutes. During the winter, growth will slow down, and the plants will require far less watering. One to two weeks in between watering is average. Humidity needs to be high for Shingle Plant. Place the pots on top of pebble trays and fill the trays with water every 2-3 days.
Feeding Shingle Plant
A slow-release, granular fertilizer is perfect for Shingle Plant. This type of plant food releases nutrients at every watering and is easily added to the top of the pot once a year. Use a balanced formulation with a 10-10-10 NPK ratio. Apply the fertilizer in the spring as the active growth period begins.
Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Shingle Plant Information
| Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light |
| Care Requirements: Easy |
| Watering Requirements: Average - When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out. |
| Pet Friendly: No |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Air Purifier: Low |
| Habit: Climbing |
| Growth Rate: Slow |
| Mature Height: 4-8 feet |
| Mature Spread: 12 inches |
| Flowering: No |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Shade/Description: Grown for Foliage |
| Fragrant: No |
| Foliage Type: |
| Foliage Color(s): Green, Silver |
| Foliage Description: Dark Green with Silvery Green Markings Along The Veins |
| Temperature: 60° - 80°F (16° - 27°C) |
| Humidity: 60% Or More |
| Common Name: Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Shingle Plant |
| Other Name(s): Shingle Plant |
| Scientific Name: Rhaphidophora cryptantha |
| Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Rhaphidophora_Cryptantha-HP
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations