Care Guide for Rhaphidophora Hayi (Shingle Plant)

The Rhaphidophora hayi is a “shingling plant,” meaning it likes to climb up and over things like moss poles and trees. Its popularity has skyrocketed recently, likely due to the increased demand for a plant comparable to monstera dubia.

The aroid known as Rhaphidophora hayi thrives in the rainforests of wet, tropical lowlands composed of coralline limestone and basalt. The disease is prevalent in Papua Indonesian Papua, New Guinea, Australia, and the state of Queensland. Placed in the region of Papua New Guinea. An evergreen and perennial hemiepiphytes, this aroid is a climber. Because of this, it begins its existence as an epiphyte, which means it grows on other plants and ends it as a terrestrial plant or liana, which means its roots extend into the earth.

The unique growth habit of the leaves of Rhaphidophora hayi is one of the characteristics that sets it apart. The leaves are arranged such that they lie flat against the surface they are being trained against, gently overlapping one another like shingles on a roof or wall. As they make their way up the plant, they climb on both the left and right sides of the stem at random intervals. They have short petioles that connect them to the main stem.

Each leaf can grow 4–9 inches in length, 2–8 inches wide, and taper to a point at the tip. Their green hue is vibrant and glossy. The leaves feel thick and leathery to the touch. It’s important to clean them down frequently to avoid dust buildup.

Like many other aroid species, Rhaphidophora hayi produces flowers on spadix-borne inflorescence. The spadix is fat and cigar-shaped, and it’s joined by a spathe that’s bright yellow and boat-shaped.

Is the Rhaphidophora Hayi (Shingle Plant) rare?

Yes. Most people do not yet have a Rhaphidophora hayi because it is a rare houseplant. But now that it’s part of Costa Farm’s Trending Tropicals Collection, it’s much easier to find, and many people are buying it.

Care Guide for Rhaphidophora Hayi

Since Rhaphidophora hayi evolved in lowland tropical rainforests, it is well-adapted to the high temperatures, high humidity, and constant shade that characterize these habitats. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you to create conditions equivalent to those optimum for growing your Rhaphidophora hayi plant. When caring for a shingle plant, keeping it warm, moist, and out of direct sunlight is important.

Light

Rhaphidophora hayi requires bright, indirect light like that found in tropical rainforests to grow properly. This is because the light provided by the trees mitigates the effects of the sun’s intense heat. Provide 10,000 to 20,000 lux of light for your shingle plant, which is usually not too difficult to do with natural light, regardless of the orientation of your windows.

A window facing east or north will certainly provide your Rhaphidophora hayi with the bright light it needs to thrive. Plant growth may be stunted in a south or west window, but the Rhaphidophora hayi can be saved by simply shifting it out of the sun’s glare or covering it with a sheer curtain.

Soil

Rhaphidophora hayi prefers well-drained, slightly acidic (in the pH range of 6.0-6.5), nutrient-rich, or organic-matter-rich soil. These plants aren’t picky eaters, and they’ll do OK in any soil or potting mix, including soilless ones.

Just make sure the potting soil is well-drained, well-aerated, and nutrient-rich. That’s why buying aroid mixtures is possible, using LECA, coco peat, sphagnum moss, or even creating your own media. For example, you may use the same amounts of potting soil, perlite or pumice, and peat moss. Peat moss can increase the pH and add humus, whereas perlite enhances drainage.

Watering

As an epiphyte, Rhaphidophora hayi thrives in the lowland rainforests, where it receives rain on average every other day during the summer. Therefore, Rhaphidophora hayi has stringent demands for its water supply, and the soil must be consistently damp.

Watering Rhaphidophora hayi should not be done on a strict schedule because the soil may not dry out at the same pace during the growth season. Water the shingle plant when the top two inches of soil are dry, which should be around once every several days. As a result, this is something that you can expect to see more of in the summer than in the winter.

Temperature

Daily highs in the tropical south Pacific average around 30 degrees Celsius (85 degrees Fahrenheit), while daily lows average around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) throughout the entire year (24 degrees Celsius). The ideal temperature for Rhaphidophora hayi is between 13 and 27 degrees Celsius (55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit), so you won’t have any problem finding a suitable temperature for the shingle plant.

It can live comfortably in a heated indoor setting. If you want your Rhaphidophora hayi to experience the heat found in tropical areas, you should take it outside during the summer. You should not keep it out too late into the fall because its temperature tolerance reduces rapidly below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius). It freezes over easily and can’t handle the cold.

Humidity

The humidity is quite high in the south Pacific, where lowland tropical rainforests are found. Papua New Guinea has a year-round relative humidity between 80% and 90%. If you want your Rhaphidophora hayi to flourish, you’ll need to provide it with humid humidity.

The ideal humidity for a shingle plant is around 70 percent, but that’s not good for the rest of your house. Humidity around your Rhaphidophora hayi should be increased instead.

Due to its flat, climbing growth habit, the Rhaphidophora hayi is ideal for use as a decorative accent in the toilet. Humidity levels in bathrooms are higher than in other parts of the house. In the end, using a humidifier will be the most effective tactic. Spraying the leaves regularly is also quite beneficial. It’s best to get this out of the way first thing in the morning.

Fertilizer

Fertilizers made from Rhaphidophora hayi should be administered throughout the planting season to ensure strong, healthy growth; however, too much of this fertilizer could be harmful. The shingle plant requires a fertilizer that is a standard indoor liquid mixture with a controlled fertilizer content of 10.10.10.

Once a month, immediately after watering the soil, dilute the solution to half the recommended strength and pour it evenly over the soil’s surface. Fertilizer can be added to the water that your Rhaphidophora hayi is soaking in when you water it if you are growing it on a mossy board. Avoid applying fertilizer to your Rhaphidophora hayi plants during the winter months when they are dormant.

Repotting

Rhaphidophora hayi needs to be repotted once every year to two years. It’s time to repot your shingle plant when its roots have outgrown the drainage holes in the pot. If you want to avoid having too much soil compared to the root ball, stick to the same pot size. When caring for your Rhaphidophora hayi, you’ll need a sturdy pot to support the board’s weight, which can be rather high.

A pot with a coating will help retain moisture in the soil for longer, but it must have drainage holes anyway. Carefully cut the vine’s roots from the old board before replacing it, and then use twine to fasten the vine to the new board until the roots can be reconnected. New potting soil should be used every few years because the old mix becomes depleted.

Pruning

Due to its visually pleasing, naturally spreading development pattern, Rhaphidophora hayi requires less pruning than many other plant species. Any diseased or damaged leaves should be removed immediately. They can be unsightly and encourage the growth of illness and insects.

Beyond that, when the shingle plant climbs its board, occasional shaping is all that is required of you in terms of pruning. However, never remove more than a quarter of the plant’s foliage in a single growing season; doing so could harm your Rhaphidophora hayi. Wear gloves and use only clean, sharp scissors to avoid touching the sticky sap drip from the branches.

Propagation for Rhaphidophora hayi

Stem cuttings of Rhaphidophora hayi can be planted in soil or water to start new plants. However, there is a slim chance that seeds could be cultivated. Our staff strongly advises propagation in potting mix or soil due to its increased success rate. Furthermore, this shingle plant, like the propagation of other plants, should be done in the spring.

Soil propagation

You will require the following items for soil propagation:

• Shears, a knife, and/or a pruning knife that have been sterilized
• Optional use of a plastic bag, On the other hand, it will support speedier rooting and growth and aid regulates humidity levels in the soil.
• Hormone for rooting roots (optional)
• The potting medium is permeable to air and has good drainage; examples are sphagnum peat moss, coco coir, soil, and aroid mix.
• Small pot

Steps

1. Place the potting mix that you will be using in the pot that will hold your plant, and then thoroughly water it.
2. Using the pruning knife, choose a section of the healthy stem with at least two nodes and cut off around 4 to 6 inches.
   Take off the lower leaves and keep one or two leaves on top.
3. This step is completely optional but will result in faster rooting if you do it. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone.
4. Create a hole in the soil, and then plant the cutting of the stem. Make sure the potting mix covers at least two of the plant’s nodes.
5. After giving the cutting a light misting, cover it with a clear plastic bag and leave some openings so it may breathe. Do not allow the paper bag to contact the cutting foliage.
6. Put your cutting in a location with bright, indirect light, and keep the temperature between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius.
7. Take steps to ensure the soil does not dry out and spray it as needed. In addition, take the plant out of its plastic paper bag regularly and remove it for a few hours to allow it to breathe.

In two weeks, the roots will have begun to form, and in another two weeks, you could possibly observe the first signs of growth. The exact timeframe, however, is dependent on the parameters that you provide. A plastic paper bag is unnecessary if you have access to a greenhouse storage unit.

You can move the cutting to a larger pot after it has attained the desired strength. Care should be provided as usual from that point on.

Water propagation

The Rhaphidophora hayi you just bought will not be planted in water; you will be dipping it in a jar of water. However, after a few days, the water should be changed.

Toxicity

Calcium oxalate raphides are present in every part of the shingle plant, making it potentially toxic to humans and pets (dogs and cats). Keep it locked up and out of the reach of kids and pets, and know what to do if it gets into the body somehow.

Common Problems

Pests

If you bring this plant indoors and give it some TLC, you shouldn’t have any pest problems. Alternatively, pests like spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale could invade your shingle plant. You can eliminate these critters by using insecticidal detergents, putting the plant in isolation, cutting the infested leaves, or simply hosing the plant down. The type of pests that have invaded your plant will dictate the type of treatment or remedy you employ.

Diseases

Rhaphidophora hayi illness is avoidable if proper watering diseases are followed. But if the shingle plant gets sick from bacteria or fungi, you’ll need to act quickly to save the plant and stop the spread of the disease.

Root rot can occur in Rhaphidophora hayi if the soil is overly saturated with water and the plant’s roots cannot absorb oxygen. The leaves will turn yellow, the stems will droop, and the roots will turn black and stinky.

The prevalence of diseases like leaf spot increases when leaves are wet for too long. Leaves may show signs of yellowing, blackening, or browning, which may spread and ultimately damage the leaves if not treated. Remove all infected tissue without slicing it into healthy areas around the wound. The Rhaphidophora hayi should be replanted in new, porous soil.

Curling leaves on your shingle plant usually indicate that you have overwatered it. However, environmental conditions like dry air, humidity, chill, diseases, or disease could also play a role.