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

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') — glossy vine with deep green leaves

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') is a thick-leaved aroid vine with glossy foliage that matures from deep green toward an almost black tone. The leaves are smooth, entire and heart-shaped, with a dark surface that deepens as the foliage matures.

This cultivar comes from Scindapsus treubii, a wet-tropical climbing species from Peninsula Malaysia, north-western Borneo and Java. Indoors it can trail from a pot, climb a small pole or grow horizontally across the pot edge as the stems lengthen.

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') dark foliage profile

• Plant type: Tropical aroid vine.
• Family: Araceae.
• Species background: Scindapsus treubii is a wet-tropical climber from Malesian regions.
• Leaf shape: Simple, entire, cordate leaves.
• Leaf texture: Thick, glossy and smooth.
• Colour: Young leaves are deep green and mature toward a nearly black appearance.
• Growth habit: Trailing, vining, climbing or horizontal across the pot surface.

How Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') moves through a pot

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') grows from vining stems with thick, glossy leaves. The vine can hang from a pot, attach to a small support or move sideways from the crown of the plant.

A loose organic mix and careful dry-down between waterings keep the stem base firmer and reduce root-rot risk. Dense wet substrate can lead to yellow lower leaves and soft growth at the base.

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') care guide

• Light: Bright indirect or filtered light keeps growth compact and reduces leaf scorch risk.
• Watering: Water when the mix is about half dry to almost dry, then drain fully.
• Humidity: Moderate to higher humidity helps new thick leaves open cleanly.
• Temperature: Keep warm, ideally around 18–24 °C or warmer indoor conditions.
• Substrate: Use a well-drained organic aroid mix with bark, coco chips, perlite or pumice.
• Pot choice: Use drainage holes and avoid oversized pots that keep the root zone wet for too long.
• Feeding: Feed lightly during active growth once roots are established.
• Semi-hydroponics: Mineral substrate can be used after transition, with a low reservoir and close root checks.
• Pruning: Trim above a node to shorten vines and root healthy cuttings.

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') root and leaf problems

• Yellow lower leaves: Often signal wet roots or a potting mix staying damp too long.
• Soft stem base: Root rot can follow overwatering in dense substrate.
• Scorched patches: Direct sun can burn the glossy leaf surface.
• Slow new growth: Cool conditions and low light can hold the vine nearly still.
• Pests: Check stems and leaf backs for mealybugs, aphids and spider mites.

Safety for Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black')

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic if ingested. Keep it away from pets and children; chewing can cause mouth irritation, drooling, swelling and vomiting.

Botanical background for Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black')

Scindapsus treubii is an accepted species in Araceae, first published by Adolf Engler in 1898. It has thick, entire leaves and a climbing or trailing habit in warm tropical conditions.

Scindapsus treubii 'Dark Form' ('Nearly Black') keeps its dark glossy leaves firm when the root zone dries well between waterings.