Scindapsus: houseplant of the Month for August

Multitasker Scindapsus not only makes your home more beautiful with fabulously marked green leaves, but also helps clean up the air indoors.

Domestic wonder

Upwards, downwards – you can go in all directions with Scindapsus. This houseplant is easy to live with, and stands out because of its fantastic heart-shaped satiny leaves. They have fabulous markings with silver, pale green, yellow or whitish spots or a flame pattern. It’s also a reliable companion: if looked after well, this domestic wonder can grow very old yet remain beautiful.

Jungalow Scindapsus is a member of the Araceae family and grows in south-east Asia, Indonesia and on the Solomon Islands: so it brings the tropics to your home.

Give and take

If you look after Scindapsus well it will do something for you in return. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Scindapsus is one of the plants that help improve the quality of the air in your home. It does this with very small stoma on the leaves. They remove carbon dioxide from the air, convert it to energy for growing, and exhale oxygen. The stoma also emit some moisture, so the plant helps prevent the air in your home from getting too dry.

Green monkey In tropical rainforests Scindapsus likes to climb up trees and then hang off stems.

How to get the best from your Scindapsus

• Scindapsus enjoys a light spot, but preferably not in direct sunlight or a draught.
• Rule of thumb: the lighter the leaves, the lighter the position that the plant prefers.
• The soil can be a bit damp, but try to avoid flooding it.
• Some plant food once a month will make Scindapsus a power grower.
• A session with a plant spray is greatly appreciated.
• If the tendrils get too long, they can just be cut back.

Happy home Scindapsus is known as a lucky plant that helps to bring its owner wealth and good fortune. 

Scindapsus styling

The many forms of Scindapsus make the plant very suitable for homes with little space. Hence the tendrils can wrap themselves upwards around a pole like a slim green pillar and the plant can provide plenty of life high up in the room as a hanging plant. Because Scindapsus has a strong rainforest look, it looks best in a natural container: wood, leather, coarse earthenware in natural shades or hanging pots made out of coconut shells.

For more information see: www.thejoyofplants.co.uk

Published on: 19 July 2018