How to Propagate Shingle Plants: A Step-by-Step Guide

Shingle plants, also known as creeping rhaphidophoras, are tropical vining aroids that originate from Asian rainforests With their distinct, flattened leaves that stack closely together like shingles on a roof, they make excellent houseplants and add visual interest to any indoor space

The good news is shingle plants are easy to propagate at home. You can create new plants from stem cuttings and give them as gifts or expand your own collection. Read on to learn all about propagating shingle plants in 4 simple steps.

What Are Shingle Plants?

Shingle plants belong to the rhaphidophora genus, which includes over 100 species of tropical vining aroids. Some of the most popular shingle plant species kept as houseplants are:

• Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (Mini Monstera)
• Rhaphidophora decursiva
• Rhaphidophora korthalsii
• Rhaphidophora pinnata
• Rhaphidophora hayi

These plants are native to tropical Asian rainforests in Thailand, Malaysia Sumatra, Borneo and Northern Australia. In their natural habitat, they grow as epiphytes, meaning they attach their roots to tree trunks and branches for support as they climb upwards towards the light.

The most distinguishing feature of shingle plants is their leaf growth habit. Instead of the usual fanning pattern seen in many aroids, shingle plant leaves flatten and stack tightly against each other as they emerge. This gives them a shingled appearance and their common name.

While they may start out as compact plants in their juvenile stage, most shingle plant species can grow quite large and become aggressive climbers as mature plants. However, younger plants are ideally suited for desks and tabletops before repotting or mounting them on boards and moss poles.

Why Propagate Shingle Plants?

Here are some of the top reasons to propagate your shingle plants:

• Make new plants for free – Stem cuttings allow you to increase your plant collection at no cost. Shingle plants are often expensive to buy mature.

• Share with friends – Propagating these fast-growing beauties means you’ll have plenty of babies to give as gifts. Shingle plants make great starter houseplants.

• Sell cuttings – The rising popularity of shingle plants means you can even sell cuttings online or at plant swaps to earn extra cash.

• Control size – Propagating keeps mature plants compact by pruning back leggy stems. The cuttings can grow into separate plants.

• Save a dying plant – Take cuttings from a struggling or overgrown shingle plant to salvage part of it before the original plant dies off.

How to Propagate Shingle Plants in 4 Steps

Propagating shingle plants from stem cuttings is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Take 6-8 Inch Stem Cuttings

• Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to take 6-8 inch stem cuttings.
• Cut just below a node, where new leaves emerge. The node is where roots will later form.
• Snip off any flowers or leaves from the lower 2-3 nodes.

Step 2: Dip Cut End in Rooting Hormone (Optional)

• Dip the freshly cut end in rooting hormone powder or gel.
• Rooting hormone encourages faster root growth, but isn’t essential.

Step 3. Plant in Propagation Medium

• Sphagnum moss is the best propagation medium for shingle plants.
• Place the cuttings in damp sphagnum moss in a plastic bag or transparent container.
• Keep out of direct sun. Bright, indirect light is ideal.
• Keep the moss evenly moist, but not soggy wet.

Step 4. Wait 6-8 Weeks for Roots

• Most shingle plant cuttings will root in 6-8 weeks.
• Check for progress after 4-5 weeks. Gently tug to feel resistance from new root growth.
• Once rooted, pot up or mount each cutting and care for as a new plant.

Propagation Tips for Success

Follow these tips to ensure your shingle plant cuttings root quickly and grow strongly:

• Take cuttings from the healthiest, most vigorous parts of the mother plant. Discard any diseased or damaged cuttings.

• Make a straight horizontal cut rather than an angled slice. This gives the cutting the largest surface area to form roots from the node.

• Keep humidity very high, around 80%, to prevent shriveled cuttings. Propagation bags help lock in moisture.

• Avoid direct hot sun which can scorch tender new growth. But bright, indirect light ensures robust growth.

• Monitor for signs of rot and fungal issues. Remove any cuttings that are turning brown or moldy.

• When roots form, pot into an aroid mix or mount onto a support. Acclimate to normal conditions gradually.

• Be patient! It takes 1-2 months for most shingle plant cuttings to root fully and be ready to pot up.

Troubleshooting Propagation Problems

If your shingle plant cuttings fail to root or new plants aren’t thriving, here are some common issues and solutions:

Yellow, wrinkled leaves – Increase air circulation and humidity around cuttings. Water more frequently.

Rotting stems – Cuttings planted too deep or kept too wet. Use fresh mix and allow moss to partially dry out between waterings.

No new roots – Older, woody stems less likely to root. Take tip cuttings from new green growth.

Roots not anchoring – Wait longer before removing from propagation bag. Gently encourage roots into soil or mounting board.

Few new leaves – Too little light. Supplement with grow lights or move to brighter location. Or, soil lacks nutrients.

Leggy growth – Insufficient light. Slow growth by reducing temperatures slightly. Grow lights can help.

Leaf drop after potting – Natural reaction to change in environment. Acclimate gradually to avoid transplant shock.

Next Steps After Propagation

Once your shingle plant cuttings have successfully rooted and started putting out new leaves, it’s time to move them from propagation into their permanent growing conditions. Here’s how to care for your newly propagated plants:

• Pot rooted cuttings into a rich, well-draining aroid mix amended with perlite or orchid bark. Or mount onto boards, poles, or a trellis.

• Water frequently to establish new plants but allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Increase humidity around new growth.

• Start fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength. Ramp up slowly to full strength applications.

• Move plants to bright, indirect light. Acclimate to more sun gradually to avoid leaf burn. Turn plants regularly for even growth.

• Prune back overgrown stems to encourage bushier growth. Propagate any long vines that are unattractive or hard to manage.

• Check for signs of pests like spider mites or mealybugs which may come in on new plants. Treat promptly before infestations take hold.

In no time your propagated shingle plants will take off growing quickly and you can repeat the propagation process! It’s highly rewarding watching a single stem cutting develop into a full trailing plant.

Enjoy Your Propagated Shingle Plants!

With proper care, most shingle plant cuttings will readily root in damp sphagnum moss and grow into beautiful new houseplants. Propagation is an easy, inexpensive way to expand your plant collection.

And sharing these fabulous vining aroids with fellow plant lovers is one of the best parts of being able to multiply your plants.

So go ahead and propagate those shingle plants! With the help of this step-by-step guide, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous new greenery in no time.