Marcgravia umbellata

Shingle Vine, Shingle Plant

Moderate careSemi-epiphyteNon-toxic15–100 cm

Marcgravia umbellata is a shingling vine from the wet forests of the Lesser Antilles, where it climbs tree trunks and damp rock faces by pressing its young leaves flat against the surface. The juvenile foliage forms overlapping rows of small, oval, dark-green leaves — a tiled, geometric pattern that holds as long as the plant has something to cling to. It does best in steady humidity above 70% and warm temperatures around 20–26 °C, with bright indirect light. Water sitting on the leaves can cause spotting, so it tolerates ambient mist better than direct watering.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Marcgravia umbellata image

Care

Prefers very high humidity, indirect light, with 18–28 °C, and reaches 100 cm at maturity.

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerantBright indirect

Humidity

Very high (80%+)(preferred)High (60–80%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
18°C – 28°C

Soil

Sphagnum mix(preferred)Moisture retentive

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 7

Propagation

Cut a tip section with at least two nodes just below a node and lay or pin it onto damp long-fibre sphagnum, keeping the cutting in contact with the substrate. Rooting takes around a month under sealed, very humid conditions; visible new growth usually follows in the second month.

Native range

Native to Caribbean.

Appearance

Growth habit

ClimbingCreeping

Leaf shape

OvalHeart

Leaf texture

Smooth

Frequently asked

Can Shingle Vine grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Shingle Vine prefers very high (above 80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Shingle Vine need drainage?

Shingle Vine prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Shingle Vine need?

Shingle Vine does best in very high (above 80%) humidity.

Is Shingle Vine pet-safe?

Shingle Vine is considered non-toxic to common household pets.

How tall does Shingle Vine grow?

Shingle Vine typically reaches 15–100 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Shingle Vine?

Shingle Vine can be propagated by stem cuttings.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Marcgravia umbellata L.

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:829097-1
  2. 2

    World Flora Online — Marcgravia umbellata

    https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0001233069
  3. 3

    Ariumology — Marcgravia Species For Bioactive Terrariums

    https://ariumology.com/2026/02/17/marcgravia-species-for-bioactive-terrariums/
  4. 4

    Leslie Halleck — Tiny Terrarium Plants: Marcgravia umbellata

    https://lesliehalleck.com/blog/tiny-plants-marcgravia-umbellata
  5. 5

    Vine Plants Directory — Marcgravia spp. care

    https://vineplantsdirectory.com/plants/marcgravia-spp/