Scindapsus officinalis

Botanical identity and natural origin of Scindapsus officinalis

Scindapsus officinalis occurs naturally from the Indian subcontinent through mainland Southeast Asia. It grows in tropical forests with a distinct dry season, including dry evergreen, deciduous and mixed forest.

How to care for Scindapsus officinalis

• Support: Give the sturdy stem a rigid board, coarse pole or trellis. Secure the newest section loosely until fresh aerial roots grip the surface.
• Light: Place it where bright filtered light reaches the growing tip and newest leaves.
• Watering: Let the top of the potting mix dry and wait until the pot feels clearly lighter, then water thoroughly and let all excess water drain.
• Potting mix: Use coarse bark or coco chips with pumice or perlite, plus enough finer organic material to hold some moisture around the roots.
• Temperature and humidity: Stable warm room conditions suit this plant. Normal household humidity is usually suitable. Keep some air moving around the stem and leaf bases.
• Feeding: Feed with a balanced houseplant fertiliser as directed on the label while new leaves and roots are forming. When growth slows in cooler or dimmer conditions, stop feeding for a while and start again once fresh growth appears.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container or the potting mix loses its loose texture and starts draining more slowly.
• Propagation: Take a stem cutting that includes a healthy leaf joint (node) and root it in warm, lightly moist propagation mix.

Common problems with Scindapsus officinalis

• Firm leaves soften or curl as the pot becomes light: The plant has become very dry. Give the pot a thorough watering and let it drain. Next time, check the mix and pot weight before the leaves begin to soften.
• Lower leaves yellow while the mix stays heavy and damp: Take the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots and base of the stem. Cut away soft brown root or stem tissue with a clean, disinfected tool until the remaining tissue is firm and healthy, discard the decayed material and repot in fresh, free-draining potting mix.
• Dry pale patches develop on the window-facing side: Move the plant to a bright spot with filtered light.
• Webbing, scraped or silvery marks, raised bumps or cottony deposits appear: Check both sides of the leaves, the leaf stalks and the stem for mites, thrips, scale and mealybugs. Isolate the plant. Once you identify the pest, choose a treatment labelled for that pest on indoor plants and repeat it as the label directs.

If the cause remains unclear, send clear photos of the whole plant, the affected leaves and the potting mix so we can help assess what is happening.

Scindapsus officinalis is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How the name Scindapsus officinalis came about

Scindapsus comes from the ancient Greek plant name skindapsos. The epithet officinalis indicates a plant associated historically with medicinal or pharmacy use.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Scindapsus in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 21.

William Roxburgh first described it as Pothos officinalis in 1820 in Flora Indica, volume 1, page 452. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Scindapsus as Scindapsus officinalis in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 21.