Rhaphidophora pachyphylla K.Krause

Shingle Vine, Shingle Plant, Mini Shingle Plant

Easy careSemi-epiphyteModerately toxic30–250 cm

A shingling climbing aroid from the lowland rainforests of New Guinea, Rhaphidophora pachyphylla grows by pressing its thick, leathery leaves flat against tree bark — each one laid down like a roof shingle as the stem climbs upward. In a terrarium or vivarium it will cover a cork bark background or timber plank with a tight mosaic of small, oval green leaves, making it one of the most architectural shingling plants available at a compact size. Leaves in cultivation stay under 2 cm wide as juveniles and expand gradually with height and maturity. Long confused with the closely related Rhaphidophora hayi, it is distinguished by its narrowly ovate-elliptic leaf shape and a differently structured stigma. Like all members of the Araceae family, its tissues contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth and throat irritation if ingested.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Shingle Vine image

Photo by Hakim·CC BY-NC 4.0

Care

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Bright indirect

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
13°C – 29°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Sphagnum mixOrchid mix

Moisture

Moist(preferred)Dry

Soil pH

6.1 – 6.5

Appearance

Growth habit

ClimbingCreeping

Leaf shape

Oval

Leaf texture

LeatherySmooth

Distribution

Propagation

Take a stem cutting with at least one node and, where possible, an adventitious aerial root. Press the cutting against damp sphagnum moss so the underside — where the roots emerge — is in direct contact with moisture, without fully burying the stem. The plant roots readily and quickly at temperatures above 20 °C in high humidity; a sealed propagation box or the interior of a humid terrarium works well. Once the aerial roots are anchored, introduce a vertical surface — cork bark, timber, or a moss pole — and the plant will begin shingling naturally.

References

  1. 1

    POWO (Kew) — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla K.Krause (accepted name; first published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49: 92 (1912); family Araceae; native range: Indonesian Papua and Papua New Guinea; climber in wet tropical biome; long confused with R. hayi; differs in leaf shape and stigma structure; lacks disarticulating and foraging shoots; semi-epiphytic liane in lowland monsoon or rain forest)

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:88556-1/general-information
  2. 2

    Homes Pursuit — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla care guide (light: bright indirect for ~12 h; humidity: min 50%; temperature: 12.8–29 °C / 55–85 °F; soil pH 6.1–6.5, chunky well-draining organic mix; water when top 1–2 inches dry; toxic to humans and pets — calcium oxalate crystals; propagation: stem cuttings, seeds, or air layering, spring/early summer; USDA zone 11+; height 6–8 ft indoors, up to 16 ft wild; aggressive shingling liana; leaves narrowly oval-elliptic, stiffly leathery)

    https://homespursuit.com/rhaphidophora-pachyphylla/
  3. 3

    Greg App — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla overview (height: 6–10 ft indoors, 20+ ft outdoors; spread: 3–5 ft; light: bright indirect; humidity above 60%; temperature 20–30 °C; well-draining organic soil, pH 6.0–7.0; USDA zones 10a–12b; growth rate 1–2 ft/year; propagation by stem cuttings or division)

    https://greg.app/rhaphidophora-pachyphylla-overview/
  4. 4

    Greg App — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla plant care (soil: well-draining with coco coir and perlite; water 0.5 cups every 9 days in 5" pot; prefers drying between waterings; toxic — not safe to consume; USDA zones 10a–12b)

    https://greg.app/plant-care/rhaphidophora-pachyphylla
  5. 5

    FrogDaddy — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla product listing (small shingling species from New Guinea; aggressive shingler; adheres to backgrounds; will grow downward after reaching top of vivarium; grown in high humidity in terrariums and greenhouses; adventitious roots root easily in moist sphagnum moss; suitable for all terrarium sizes)

    https://frogdaddy.net/products/rhaphidophora-pachyphylla
  6. 6

    Black Jungle Terrarium Supply — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla (tiny green leaves no bigger than a thumbnail; clasps vertical surfaces; leaves expand with maturity; small enough for any size terrarium)

    https://www.blackjungleterrariumsupply.com/Rhaphidophora-pachyphylla_p_1810.html
  7. 7

    Frog and Frond — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla (extremely easy to root; propagate by pressing underside of vine against damp sphagnum moss; plant is brittle; leaves reach up to 3/4" long with interesting texture; does best with vertical climbing surface; native New Guinea)

    https://frogandfrond.com/product/rhaphidophora-pachyphylla/
  8. 8

    ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Rhaphidophora (genus listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses; calcium oxalate crystals; systemic and gastrointestinal effects)

    https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/rhaphidophora
  9. 9

    MicroExotics — Rhaphidophora pachyphylla (shingling/climbing aroid; thick leathery juvenile leaves pressed against vertical surfaces; moderate care — needs consistent humidity; temperature 20–26 °C; bright indirect light; moisture-retentive well-draining substrate; suitable for terrariums and paludariums)

    https://www.microexotics.co.uk/store/Rhaphidophora-pachyphylla-p477343305