Scindapsus Treubii is a rare, green houseplant that is not easily found but is a major hit in the world of botany, especially houseplants. It comes in two varieties: Scindapsus Moonlight and Scindapsus Dark form. Moonlight leaves are more milky-green with a hint of silver in the center of the leaf, whereas Dark form has more blackish leaves without any silver tint to it. This one is the hardest to find.
These plants are trailing and climbing in nature, so they appreciate external support to climb on to. You may use brass support or a bamboo stick. Giving them external support can make their leaves grow efficiently.
Interestingly, not only are these plants pretty to look at, but they are also very beneficial to be added to our homes. According to NASA, these plants can clear the air of many pollutants such as formaldehyde, which is present almost everywhere in our houses, the carpets, the furniture, you name it.
The only thing to remember is that you don’t confuse a Scindapsus Treubii with a Scindapsus Pictus. The two come from the same family of plants so they look very similar, but you can differentiate between them by looking at their leaves. A Treubii plant has much narrower leaves than a Pictus plant.
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Monsteroideae
- Genus: Scindapsus
About the Genus Scindapsus
This particular genus of flowering plants is very easily confused with the Epipremnum plants, but the main difference between them lies in their seeds. A Scindapsus plant has one ovule in each of its ovaries while Epipremnum has more than one seed.
The most commonly cultivated plant from this genus is the Scindapsus Pictus, and the least commonly found is the Scindapsus Treubii. Another well-known and interesting species from this family is the Scindapsus Officinalis which has medicinal qualities. These can be used in herbal medicines to relieve diarrhea and intestinal worms. They are currently also being studied to help cure cancer.
Origin and Distribution
Scindapsus plants are native to South-East Asia, Pacific Islands, and Queensland, and Scindapsus Treubii particularly originates from the tropical rainforests of Asia.
Scindapsus Treubii Features
Foliage and Stem
These plants have a smooth stem and oval or heart-shaped leaves of green color with hints of silver. This is where the name “Scindapsus Moonlight” comes from. These leaves can grow as long as 12 to 60 centimeters and are the primary attraction of the plant with their beautiful, satin finish. The leaves grow to their full potential if given strong, rigid support such as a stalk or a bamboo stick.
Evergreen
This particular specie of plant is evergreen, meaning that it stays lush, green, and beautiful throughout the year in every season if given the right Scindapsus Treubii care.
Height
Similarly, if kept under the right conditions, they can climb and grow as long as 6-8 feet.
Temperature Tolerance
These plants are very adaptive to temperatures and climates but they are sensitive to colder environments and it is suggested that you bring them indoors or put them in a warmer spot once the temperature falls below 50 to 54 °F.
Humidity Tolerance
Given that they are tropical plants, Scindapsus Treubii plants love humidity and are very tolerant. If you live in a dry area, installing an indoor humidifier can be a good idea. If not, you can occasionally mist the plant with dilute water.
Drought-resistance
Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight plants are not drought-resistant. They are tropical plants that love water and humidity and will certainly not do well if deprived of their watering needs.
Disease and Pest Resistance
These plants are generally very resistant to pests and diseases but in case they do suffer from an unwanted insect attack, you can use a good, organic insecticide to take care of it. Just make sure you don’t use too much of it and wear protective clothing when you use it as a precaution.
Growth
Overall, Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight plants are fairly fast-growing plants and can grow from cuttings into mature plants in a matter of months if given the right amount of care and environment to grow in.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, these plants are very toxic and cannot be ingested by animals or humans. It is suggested that you keep them somewhere out of your pets’ or children’s reach.
Durability
These plants have a perennial life cycle and can live for years if given the right Scindapsus Treubii care so you will not have to worry about their expiry for quite a long time.
Maintenance
Overall, these plants are not difficult to maintain. They don’t have any special or extra needs in terms of care. They are fairly low-maintenance and can be kept by people who find it hard to attend to their plants every day.
Dormancy
In winters, these plants go into a state of dormancy, meaning that they “go to sleep” and wake up only once the spring season starts. It is of great importance that you realize that the slowed growth during these months is normal and overwatering or over-feeding the plant will do no good to it and will only harm the Treubii.
Scindapsus Treubii Care
Scindapsus Treubii care requires a warm room with bright indirect lights. They can grow well in a regular potting mix and do not require frequent re-potting. You can water them once the soil feels dry and mist them once in a while to provide that extra moisture in the air.
Quick Care Guide
| Watering | Once the top of the soil is dry. |
| Soil | Perlite, orchid bark, and compost. |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight. |
| Temperature | 54 to 83 °F |
| Fertilizer | Once a month in the growing season. |
| Growth Zone | 10b. |
Water Requirements
You can water the plants regularly, but let them dry out between each watering session. Use your finger and touch the soil to make sure the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil are dry before you water it again. Some people like to wait until the leaves start curling because this shows that the plant needs water now. Whatever you do just make sure you don’t over-water the soil and it does not get soggy or water-clogged.
Treubii Moonlight Soil Requirements
Any well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix will be the best soil for Scindapsus Treubii. Perlite, orchid bark, and compost can be favorable soil amendments for the plant. Make sure they are all in equal parts, though.
Sunlight Requirements
Scindapsus Treubii plants like to live under bright lights but not direct sunlight, meaning that you can put it in a bright room with lots of filtered natural light or even artificial growing lights, but not outdoors under the scorching sun or a shaded spot. If you put it outdoors exposed to direct sunlight, its leaves will burn. And if you put it in a shaded area, it will grow slowly. So, find a middle ground. Place it next to a window facing east or west or behind a shade cloth that filters and mellows the light hitting your Treubii.
Temperature Requirements
These plants are generally very adaptive to their environments but grow the best between 54 to 83 °F. Cold temperatures are not an ally and should be avoided at all costs. Make sure your plant is not sitting directly in front of a fan or an air conditioner.
Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight Potting Mix
There are a few different potting mix recipes that work well for Scindapsus treubii moonlight. One popular option is to use a mix of sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Another good choice is to use coco coir instead of peat moss. Whichever recipe you choose, make sure the potting mix is well-draining and doesn’t hold too much water.
Humidity Requirements
Because these plants come from a typical, tropical rainforest environment, they like humidity and appreciate light misting with water every once in a while. For the extra effort, you can arrange an indoor humidifier in your place as well.
Fertilizer Requirements
You can fertilize this plant during the growing seasons (mainly spring and summer) once a month. It prefers being given a well-balanced fertilizer or one that has a high nitrogen component for good foliar growth.
Re-potting
These plants do not require a lot of frequent re-potting. You will only have to re-pot them when the plants outgrow their current pot, indicated by the plant’s roots coming out of the drainage holes of the pot. Apart from this, you can also change the pot or topsoil of the plant if it gets infected or water-clogged.
Grooming and Pruning
If you feel like the plant is growing out of shape, you can always trim it by cutting off the excess growth. This is suggested to be done during the growing season of spring instead of the dormant months.
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Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight Propagation
You can propagate a Scindapsus plant by the tip cutting method preferably in soil because it is hard for the plant to adapt to the change from water to soil afterward. It is suggested that you do this during the spring season. Avoid propagating a Treubii while it is dormant.
- Start by sanitizing your tools and equipment, because you don’t want to spread any bacteria or infections. Also, don’t forget to wear protective garments especially on your hands.
- Take a sharp, clean knife or a pair of scissors and cut off a tip approximately 3 to 4 inches in length.
- Try to cut just below a node because this is where the roots are going to grow out of.
- Remove the leaf at the bottom and plant the cutting in a prepared pot with a moist soil mix made from equal parts of peat moss and perlite.
- Now cover the pot with a clear, plastic bag to add extra humidity to its growing environment and place it under bright, indirect light. Just make sure you keep airing the bag regularly to avoid any microbial growth inside.
- After roots start developing, you can remove the bag and switch the cutting to a proper, bigger pot to grow permanently in.
- Now, treat it as an adult plant and water it accordingly.
Timeline
Week 1-2: Plant the cuttings in a soil mix and water them frequently or as needed.
Week 3-6: Roots will start to develop by this time. Make sure you don’t overwater the plant now.
Month 2-4: You can now shift the growing cutting to its new permanent pot and water and feed it as a mature plant.
Some Common FAQs
Yes, Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is quite rare. It’s a beautiful variegated form of the Satin Pothos and usually has white or cream-colored leaves with green margins. If you’re looking for one, your best bet is to check with specialty nurseries or plant sellers.
Leaves turn yellow either due to overwatering of the plant or the soil not draining well. Too much water near the roots can make the plant stop growing and look unwell.
Check the drainage holes of the pot to make sure they are not blocked. If all is well with the pot, check the soil for the right composition and texture. A thick or unsuitable soil can hinder water drainage and retain water near the plant’s roots. Lastly, monitor your watering routine and make sure you are not watering the plant too much or too frequently.
This can be a result of three causes, or all of them together. First, check if your plant is being watered adequately. An under-watered Scindapsus can start to droop and wilt. Fix your watering schedule and water the plant as soon as the soil dries.
Next, check if the plant is getting enough light. Remember, you are not supposed to put it under direct sunlight but being in a shady spot for too long can also make it look unwell. As we discussed earlier, find a middle ground and put it in a bright, well-lit room with lots of indirect, filtered light.
If it’s not either of these, check if the roots have outgrown the current pot the plant is in. You can guess by looking at the drainage holes of the pot. If you see roots coming out of them, the plant has outgrown the pot and it is time to re-pot it into a bigger, more suitable container.
Scindapsus Treubii moonlight brown tips can be caused by a number of things such as overwatering, poor drainage, and high levels of salts in the soil.
The best way to treat Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight brown tips is to identify the cause and address it. If the plant is overwatered, then you need to water it less frequently. If the plant has poor drainage, then you need to improve the drainage. And if the plant has high levels of salts in the soil, then you need to water it with distilled water or rainwater.
Displaying Scindapsus Treubii Plant
These plants grow well both upright next to support or in a hanging basket. Their green lush foliage makes them a very good option as your bathroom plant or to be hanged on the balcony. Just make sure that if you hang them, you trim them regularly because their vines can become a hassle once they grow too long. Also, make sure you place them somewhere your pets or children can’t reach the vines because they are very toxic. When standing upright with support or against a wall, they tend to grow tall look very elegant displayed on their own.
Scindapsus Officinalis Vs Moonlight
There are a few key differences between Scindapsus Officinalis and Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight. For starters, Scindapsus Officinalis is native to Southeast Asia while Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is native to Central and South America. Additionally, Scindapsus Officinalis typically has darker green leaves with silver variegation while Moonlight typically has bright green leaves with no variegation. Finally, Scindapsus Officinalis is more resistant to pests and diseases than Treubii Moonlight. When it comes to similarities, both plants are often used as ornamental houseplants due to their compact size and ability to thrive in indirect light.
Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight Vs Silver Sword
The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight and Silver Sword are both beautiful, variegated plants that make great additions to any indoor space. Both plants are easy to care for and relatively low maintenance. However, there are some key differences between these two plants.
The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is a climbing plant, whereas the Silver Sword is a more compact, bushy plant. The Moonlight will need something to climb on, such as a trellis or moss pole, whereas the Silver Sword can simply be planted in a pot with some well-draining soil. Both plants enjoy bright indirect light and should be watered when the soil has dried out completely.
Final Thoughts
The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is a beautiful, rare, climbing plant that has stunning green foliage. It is not only gorgeous to look at, but it is also very low-maintenance and easy to take care of, therefore being perfect for houseplant lovers with a busy routine. These plants need moderate household conditions to thrive and are not much of a hassle when it comes to keeping them in shape. Just make sure you keep them away from your pets and children as they are not very friendly foods!
