Bau hendrikii

A Malesian forest aroid now placed in Bau

Bau hendrikii was formerly known as Schismatoglottis hendrikii. It now belongs to Bau, a group of ground-dwelling aroids from tropical Southeast Asia whose leaves rise from compact stems near the forest floor.

The genus ranges from Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia across Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi. Its natural setting is warm evergreen forest, where rain returns frequently, organic material gathers over the soil and taller vegetation filters direct tropical sun. The foliage develops within this moist, sheltered lower layer.

How to care for Bau hendrikii

Light

Keep Bau hendrikii close to an east- or north-facing window, or 0.5–1.5 m from a brighter south or west window. This gives the leaves strong daylight without exposing them to hot sun through glass. Gentle early sun is acceptable after gradual acclimation. A darker position produces longer leaf stalks, smaller leaves and slower replacement growth, while strong unfiltered sun can bleach the surface and leave dry patches. Leaf colour is inherited; light supports sturdy growth but does not create the pattern.

Watering

Water Bau hendrikii when the surface has just begun to dry but the root ball below is still lightly moist. Soak all of the mix, let excess water escape and empty the cover pot. Its fine roots and short rhizomatous base do not tolerate a hard, prolonged dry-out; limp leaves and stalled new growth follow quickly. Constantly saturated, compacted mix is equally unsuitable because the roots need fresh air. Stronger light, warmth and a root-filled pot speed drying, while cool rooms and oversized pots slow it markedly.

Substrate and roots

Use a fine, airy aroid mix that holds moisture around the roots: quality potting substrate or coir mixed with fine bark and pumice or perlite. Bau hendrikii has fine spreading roots around a compact rhizomatous base, so very large bark chunks leave dry gaps and dense peat removes oxygen. Keep the growing point at its previous level and use a pot with an open drainage hole. Low-mineral water and an occasional thorough rinse help prevent fertiliser salts from collecting around the sensitive root tips.

Temperature

Maintain Bau hendrikii at about 20–28 °C, with the root zone preferably above 18 °C. Growth slows sharply below 18 °C, and prolonged exposure near 15 °C can damage a wet root system. Keep the pot off cold stone sills and away from winter ventilation. Heater and air-conditioning streams dry or chill one side of a tender opening leaf, so stable warmth matters more than a high daytime peak.

Humidity and airflow

Ordinary household humidity is often too dry for consistently clean growth on Bau hendrikii. A stable level around 60–75% helps new leaves open without catching or browning, provided air still moves gently around the crown and pot surface. A humidifier or cabinet with ventilation is more useful than spraying the leaves. Routine misting gives only a brief rise and can leave water sitting in the rolled new growth.

Fertilising

Feed Bau hendrikii with a complete foliage fertiliser at quarter strength every four to six weeks while it is producing leaves or roots. A plant that remains warm, well lit and visibly active may continue to need a small dose at any time of year. Reduce or pause when leaf production stops and the pot dries more slowly. The fine roots are salt-sensitive, so never feed dry mix and rinse the pot with plain low-mineral water between doses.

Repotting

Repot Bau hendrikii when roots fill the drainage area, the base presses against the pot, watering becomes unusually frequent or old mix stays dense and wet. Increase the diameter by only 2–3 cm. The fine roots recover best when the centre of the root ball remains intact, so loosen only tightly circling outer roots and remove only loose degraded mix. Work in stable warmth during active growth and return the rhizome to exactly the same level.

Support, pruning, handling and leaf care

No support is normally needed for Bau hendrikii. Turn the pot only in small stages after a new leaf has firmed so an opening leaf is not twisted towards a changing light source. Remove a yellow leaf with a clean cut near the base once it releases its stored nutrients. Support mature leaves from beneath during a gentle rinse or damp wipe, and leave soft rolled growth untouched until it has opened and hardened.

Troubleshooting Bau hendrikii

The silver-grey quilted leaves become flat and dull

A new leaf may deepen in tone as it hardens, but a persistent dull film should be checked. Mineral residue or dust wipes away; fine pale feeding points, webbing or moving specks suggest mites. Clean the leaf gently, inspect the recessed veins with a lens and isolate the plant before using a treatment labelled for the pest found.

A cordate leaf hangs while the substrate is still moist

Warm forest aroids can droop in a cold position even when water is available. If the petiole remains firm, restore steady warmth and let an overly wet mix regain air. A limp leaf attached to a dark, soft petiole base instead calls for an immediate root and rhizome inspection.

The next leaves are smaller and less strongly quilted

Repeatedly reduced growth can follow weak light, a cold root zone or roots held in dense, exhausted substrate. Provide brighter filtered light and check the root system before feeding. Young leaves may gain texture as they harden, so judge the trend across several leaves rather than one fresh blade.

A rolled leaf opens torn or scarred

A clean split can result from friction or irregular hydration while the leaf expands. Silvery abrasions, black specks or repeated distortion are more suspicious for thrips hidden in the roll. Do not pull the leaf open; stabilise moisture and treat only after pest evidence is found.

The creeping base turns translucent or soft

Translucent softness means decay is active and needs prompt action. Unpot Bau hendrikii, remove decomposed roots and cut the rhizome back to uniformly firm tissue with a sterile blade. Restart only sound sections in a clean, aerated mix and keep the crown at the surface rather than burying the growing point.

Pet Safety

Bau hendrikii belongs to the aroid family, whose tissues commonly contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, so it should not be chewed. The leaves or stems may cause immediate burning and swelling of the mouth, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep it away from children and pets, and seek prompt advice if marked swelling develops.

How Bau hendrikii received its current name

Wong Sin Yeng and Peter Boyce first described this aroid as Schismatoglottis hendrikii. The epithet hendrikii stayed with the species when its botanical placement changed.

In 2024, the same botanists reorganised Schismatoglottis and placed the species in their newly established genus Bau. The change produced the name used today: Bau hendrikii.