Scindapsus treubii 'Dark form' ('Nearly Black')

Origin of Scindapsus treubii 'Dark form' ('Nearly Black')

'Dark form' is a cultivated form of Scindapsus treubii; 'Nearly Black' is another trade name used for it.

S. treubii comes from Peninsular Malaysia, northwestern Borneo and Java. In nature it climbs through wet tropical forest.

Indoor care for 'Dark form'

• Watering: Let the mix dry well and wait until the pot feels clearly lighter, then water thoroughly and let the pot drain fully.
• Light: Give the vine bright indirect or filtered light near a well-lit window.
• Growth: Use a small trellis, pole or board for climbing, or let the sturdy vine grow sideways or trail from a raised pot.
• Potting mix: Use a rich, well-drained organic mix with bark or coarse coco chips and pumice or perlite.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the plant around 18–24°C. Normal household humidity suits it. Keep gentle air movement around the thick leaves.
• Feeding: Feed with a balanced fertiliser as directed on the label while the vine is growing. If it stops growing for a time, wait to feed again until fresh growth appears.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the current container or the potting mix packs down and drains slowly.
• Propagation: Start a new plant from a stem cutting or by layering part of the stem while it is still attached to the parent plant.

Problems to watch for on 'Dark form'

• Thick leaves curl lengthwise as the pot becomes very light: Water until the mix is evenly wet, then let the pot drain. Next time, check the mix before the leaves begin to curl.
• Dark lower leaves yellow above damp, heavy potting mix: Inspect the roots for decay. With a clean, disinfected tool, cut away soft brown roots until only firm, healthy roots remain. Discard the removed roots and repot in fresh, free-draining mix.
• Pale dry patches form across the dark glossy surface: Move the plant to a bright spot with filtered light.
• Fresh leaves stay small and the gaps between them lengthen: Move the plant to brighter filtered light and keep the stem close to a stable support as it climbs.
• Cottony deposits, fine webbing or small insect clusters appear against the dark foliage: Check for mealybugs, spider mites and aphids. Isolate the plant, then use a product labelled for the pest you identify on indoor plants and follow its repeat instructions.

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 treubii ‘Dark form’ 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 treubii came about

Scindapsus comes from the ancient Greek plant name skindapsos. The epithet treubii honours the Dutch botanist Melchior Treub.

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

Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler first described Scindapsus treubii in 1898 in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, volume 25, page 13.