How to Care for Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form

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Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form

Last Updated on December 4, 2021 by Admin

The Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is also known as the Scindapsus Dark Form or the Treubii Dark Form. It a rare houseplant that’s a member of the Araceae family. Therefore, it is an Aroid just like its relatives the philodendron and monstera.

When it comes to the Scindapsus Treubii plant, there are 2 main varieties, they are the:

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight (or Scindapsus Moonlight) is the one that gets the most attention because it is the prettier one of the two. Its beautiful silver sheen over its green leaves makes it an attention grabber.

However, the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is likewise very lovely.

It is not as flashy but nevertheless rare and unique because it features very dark colors leaves that look almost black in color.

As you would guess, both plants are close relatives of the more popular Scindapsus pictus.

In any case, the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is a vining plant that is native to the forests of Southeast Asia. There, you will find it initially as a trailing plant sprawled around the jungle floor.

But, its natural growth habit is as a climber.

It does this in order to get more bright light. Near the bottom of the forest, illumination is blocked by larger plants which prevents the Dark Form from growing optimally.

Therefore, it will use its long stems to cling onto tree trunks and then develop aerial roots that will let it climb up those trees.

The higher it gets, the more light it is exposed to. This in turn fuels its growth. (And makes the plant happier).

Climbing also changes the look of the plant.

From a smaller, slow growing plant with corresponding smaller teardrop shaped leaves, the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form will get longer and taller while developing larger, longer, thick, glossy lanceolate shaped foliage with short internodes.

Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight vs. Dark Form

As mentioned, the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form and the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight are two very different plants.

And there is not mistaking one for the other once you see them. However, because they look very similar in almost all aspects (and even care) it can still be confusing.

The easiest way to tell the difference between the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight and the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is to look at the color of the leaves.

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight has a lighter shade of green and a silver sheen over this green color. The silver looks like it was somewhat painted over the green or you put something like a translucent layer of silver paint over the green leaf.

On the other hand, the Scindapsus Treubii features a very dark, near-black solid leaf color.

 

Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form Plant Care

Light Requirements

The Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is a very easy to care for plant because it tolerates many different conditions. This is the case for light.

Ideally, bright, indirect light is best. But it likewise does well in low light as well as anything in between.

That said, the amount of light does affect how fast the plant grows. But it does not harm the plant unless you put in under too much direct sun or a very dark place.

With too much direct sun or very harsh lighting, tis leaves can scorch. Their color will also get affected although the plant will survive.

But the same cannot be said about very dark locations because the plant will be deprived of photosynthesis which depends on light. Therefore, over time the plant will get weaker because it can not sustain itself.

This means that you can control how quickly the plant grows by where you place it.

If you want it to grow faster and bigger, then place it under bright, indirect light. But if you prefer to have a smaller plant that does not need much pruning, pruning or watering, then leave it under low light.

 

Temperature

The Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. There it starts out near the forest floor but will eventually work its way up by growing longer stems and climbing onto trees. It does so by producing aerial roots.

Therefore, the plant is sued to warm weather all year around where there is no hint of snow. But it also gets a good amount of shade from the forest canopy.

This is why it likes bright, indirect light. At the same time, it also prefers moderate to warm temperatures, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

it enjoys warmer weather and will grow well under those conditions. Because of its native habitat, it can tolerate 100 degree weather. But, during these times keep it away from the rays of the sun.

On the other hand, the cold is a problem. Avoid temperatures under 50 degrees as this will bother the plant. It can tolerate levels slightly lower than this but the longer you keep it there and the lower the temperature gets, the more stressed it will be.

After a while, it will experience cold damage.

 

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Humidity

The Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form  prefers moderate to high humidity because this is what it is used to in Southeast Asia.

On average it lives in humidity that is 60% to 75% day to day, higher when it rains during August and September when the tropical monsoons hit that region.

Fortunately, the plant is quite hardy and does not mind average home humidity.

I have not seen any instance where it needs any help (misting or a humidifier). This makes is very easy to care for because it can tolerate low humidity despite its preferences.

That said, do watch out of crispy tips and brown edges if you live in the desert or somewhere with very dry air. Although I have yet to see this happen it may be possible.

These are signs that the plant needs moisture. Therefore, start misting it or place it on a pebble tray to help it out.

 

How Often to Water Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form

The most important thing with watering your Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is to avoid overwatering. This can lead to root rot if you allow the plant’s roots to stand in water for too long.

As such, good drainage is very important.

You can do this in two ways.

  • Make sure the container has a drainage hole or holes.
  • Use the right kind of potting soil (which I’ll go into detail in the next section).

For your part, you want to avoid watering too often.

Good drainage only helps so much. But if you keep watering the plant while the soil is still moist, it will eventually lead to overwatering.

Therefore, wait until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil has completely dried before you add more water. This will prevent you from watering too early.

On the other hand, try not to let the soil go completely dry either.

When  the plant needs water, it will tell you. Its leaves will curl.  It will likewise wilt and become a sad looking plant.

Thankfully, it recovers well from lack of moisture. And will bounce back fairly quickly after you water.

 

Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form Potting Soil

The best soil for the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is well-draining potting mix. I like to use an Aroid mix which works really well. You can also use the aroid mix on philodendrons and monsteras which makes it very versatile.

This saves you the hassle, of having to use so many different varieties or making all sorts of potting mixes for different plant varieties.

If you can find an Aroid mix at your local nursery you can use that. Although I’ve noticed only a few stores make them.

Therefore, here’s an aroid potting mix recipe that works really well.

  • 30% potting soil
  • 30% orchid bark
  • 30% peat
  • 10% perlite
  • Then add some activated charcoal for good measure

That said, it is worth noting that the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is not very fussy about soil. Therefore, you can actually use regular potting soil that’s well-draining.

If you find that it is holding on to too much moisture, you can add perlite to improve drainage.

Does the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form Climb?

The Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is often grow in pots and baskets because of its trailing nature. However, it actually grows best when potted up and allowed to climb up something.

You can use a stake, wire trellis or moss pole. It does not really matter.

This is the plant’s natural growth habit in the wild as it goes up trees in order to get more light. As such, if you give it a structure to climb, this will maximize its growth and allow it to grow tallest and produce its largest foliage.

 

Fertilizer

The most important thing about fertilizer is that you should feed the plant.

Again, the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is not picky with the kind of plant food. But it needs it in order to grow quickly and produce the right sized leaves.

While it will survive without plant food, you will end up with a smaller, slower growing plant with fewer leaves that are also smaller.

So, you can use a balanced houseplant fertilizer or any all-purpose one. Make sure you read the instructions and avoid overfeeding the plant.

It does not need a lot of it.

As long as you feed it once a month during the spring and summer it will be happy and healthy. Dilute the concentration by 50% to avoid too much salt build up in the soil.

Another good option you can go with is fish emulsion. It is more affordable and likewise effective.

 

Pruning

Many people will tell you that the Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is a slow grower. And this can happen depending on how much light it receives and how you plant it.

In a regular container the plant can grow at a moderate or even slow pace. But it you stake it or give it something to climb, it will grow much faster.

When climbing, it will likewise get much taller and product larger leaves.

This means that you can decide how big of a plant you want and how quickly you want it to grow.

In either case, pruning is not a huge deal because the leaves do not get very untidy or grow all over the place. You can trim it now and again to remove any leaves that go wayward.

If you use a pole and let the plant climb, it will likewise look very different than when left in a pot. Here, the leaves will grow around the pole or support. Thus, keeping them close to the cneter.

 

How to Propagate Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form

If you want to grow more of you Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form, you can do so by taking cuttings and planting them.

The plant does well with water and soil propagation. So, you can go with either depending on what you’re more proficient in doing.

To propagate your Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form:

  • Inspect the plant and look for stems that are healthy with a few leaves on it.
  • Take a stem cutting making sure you cut under a leaf node.
  • You can then propagate the cutting in soil or in water. I do prefer going with soil although most people like water propagation because you can watch the roots as they grow.
  • With soil propagation, place the cutting into a small pot with fresh, well-draining potting soil. Keep the soil moist but avoid getting it too wet. Make sure to bury the node under the soil. If there are leaves that get in the way, remove the lower leaves.
  • With water propagation, place the cutting into a glass container filled with water. Again, ensure that the node is underwater. And remove any leaves that end up in the liquid as these will rot over time.
  • Leave the cutting in a moderate to warm spot with bright, indirect light.
  • It will take a while for the plant to grow.

 

How to Repot or Transplant Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form

How often you repot your Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form will depend on how fast it grows. If you keep it in a pot and it grows slowly it can take years before you need to repot.

On the other hand, when allowed to climb, it will get bigger and you’ll eventually end up using a bigger pot.

From experience, the size they end up will can significantly vary if you allow or don’t allow the plant the climb.

That said, the only time you need to repot is when its roots start coming out of the container. You don’t need to repot any time before that unless there is an overwatering emergency and you’re trying help the plant recover or save it from root rot.

Thus, like the other aspects, it is a low maintenance plant in this regard.

 

Is It Toxic/Poisonous to Humans, Cats & Dogs

The Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form is toxic to cats, dogs and people. It will not kill you in case you ingest parts of the plant. However, it will cause mild to sometime serious side effects depending on how much is consumed and how big the person or pet is.

This makes it important to keep it out of reach of young children, dogs and cats at home.

 

Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form Problems & Troubleshooting

Pests and Diseases

The Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form will rarely experience pests or diseases. But a lot of this will depend on the care it gets. It if lacks or gets too much of the requirements above, it will experience stress.

This makes it susceptible to problems.

That said, pests can happen to any houseplant. So, you still need to regularly inspect it and quickly treat if you spot any.

On the other hand, diseases are usually caused by too much moisture. This happens with overwatering or if the leaves are left too wet without enough light or air circulation to help the moisture dry off fast enough.