Monstera dubia and Scindapsus are two popular plants that are often confused with each other due to their similar appearance. However, many distinct differences between the two houseplants can help tell the two apart.
Here, we explore some key similarities and differences between Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus.
Monstera Dubia Origin
Monstera dubia, also called the shingle plant, is a tropical plant native to Central and South America, specifically to the countries of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is a member of the Araceae family, which includes many other popular houseplants such as the Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron, and Anthurium.
In their natural habitat, Monstera dubia grow as an hemi-epiphyte in tropical rainforests. It often grows on trees or other support structures, climbing and reaching toward the light.
Monstera dubia was first described by the German botanist Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1858. The plant’s Latin name, Monstera, comes from the Latin word “monstrum,” meaning monster, which refers to the plant leaves’ unusual appearance. The specific epithet, dubia, means doubtful, uncertain, or obscure, possibly referring to the plant’s elusive nature in the wild, as the researchers were unaware of which species the plant belonged to.
Monstera dubia is a popular houseplant due to its unique appearance and easy care requirements. It is often grown as a climbing plant in a hanging basket or trained up a trellis or sphagnum moss pole.
With the right care and attention, Monstera dubia can thrive and provide a tropical touch to any indoor space.
Scindapsus Pictus Origin
Scindapsus pictus, also known as Silver Vine, is a tropical plant native to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. Like the Monstera dubia, the Scindapus also belong to the arum family Araceae and other plants of similar characteristics, such as the Monstera deliciosa.
In its natural habitat, Scindapsus pictus typically grows as an epiphyte in the understory of tropical rainforests. It is often found growing on forest trees or other support structures.
Scindapsus pictus was first brought to Europe by Dutch traders in the 1700s. The plant’s common name, Devil’s Ivy, comes from its ability to grow quickly and take over other plants or structures, much like the mythological devil tempting and ensnaring its victims.
Today, the Scindapsus pictus is a popular houseplant due to its easy care requirements and ability to thrive in various indoor conditions. It is often grown as a climbing plant in a hanging basket or trained up a trellis or sphagnum moss pole. With the right care and attention, Scindapsus pictus can provide a lush, tropical touch to any indoor space.
Monstera Dubia vs. Scindapsus: Similarities
Since the two plants belong to the same family, they share many characteristics and growing conditions that cause plant lovers to often confuse the two.
Below are some of the main similarities between Monstera dubia and Scindapsus.
Appearance
One of the most noticeable similarities between Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus is their appearance.
Both plants have heart-shaped leaves with a similar texture and glossy finish. They also have aerial roots that allow them to climb and attach to support structures, such as moss poles or trellises.
The dark green leaves are small and alongside the stem in a vining growth. The leaves on the two plants are wider than they are longer, with the width increasing at the base and decreasing towards the apex.
Propagation
Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus are similar in how you can propagate them. Both plants can be propagated by stem cuttings, allowing you to grow multiple plants from a single parent plant.
The stem cutting can be rooted in water or soil, making it easy to create new plants to share with friends or to add to your collection.
Toxicity
Another important similarity between these plants is their toxicity.
Both the Monstera dubia and Scindapsus are toxic for pets and humans. The plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat if eaten. Symptoms of poisoning may include mouth irritation, swelling, and pain in the lips, tongue, and mouth. Additionally, affected pets may experience excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
If you have pets or small children in your home, you may want to keep them away from the Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus to ensure their safety.
Growth Requirements
Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus are relatively easy to care for and do not require much attention. You can grow the two plants together as Scindapsus, and Monstera dubia care conditions are similar.
Below are some similar care conditions of the Monstera dubia and the Scindapsus.
Bright Indirect Light
The Monstera dubia and Scindapsus adapted to living below the forest canopy and surviving on the bright filtered light that passed the trees above.
As such, they prefer bright indirect light to grow well. You can put them in an area of your home with plenty of filtered direct light, such as near a west or east-facing window, to get some morning sun.
However, keep them away from direct sunlight, which could cause leaf scorching and dehydration.
Soil Mix
The two plants prefer well-aerated soil to encourage root growth. Moreover, they do not do well in damp soil, requiring well-draining and slightly acidic soil to grow well.
You can use a commercial potting mix that contains nutrients to help the plant grow. Moreover, you can add peat moss, orchid bark, coco coir, and perlite to improve drainage.
Watering
The Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus require regular watering, almost once a week in the growing seasons and once every two or three weeks in the winter.
You must pay special attention to the plant’s watering needs. Overwatering the plant could lead to waterlogging and root rot, while underwatering could cause yellow leaving and wilting.
Before watering the plant, check if the soil is dry using your fingertip. You should also check the drainage holes to ensure you are not over-watering the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
The Scindapsus is a tropical plant, like the Monstera dubia. They prefer warm climates with temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Moreover, these plants are accustomed to high humidity in their natural environment. Therefore, you must ensure that they grow in humidity levels above 50%. You can use a pebble tray filled with water or mist the plants regularly. Alternatively, you could use a humidifier to ensure high relative humidity.
However, too much temperature and humidity could result in growth problems, such as wilting, brown leaves, and infections, such as root rot.
Fertilizer
While they don’t require fertilizer to grow well, it can speed up the plant’s growth. Generally, a well-balanced fertilizer can be good for plants.
However, only feed to Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus once a month during spring and summer and not at all in winter. Overfeeding could result in water logging and root blockage, causing the roots to suffocate.
Pruning and Repotting
Both the Monstera dubia and Scindapsus need to be pruned or repotted frequently. Moreover, since the two plants are vining, it is good to regularly prune Monstera dubia and Scidapsus to control growth.
To repot the plant, use a terracotta or clay pot as a new pot with adequate drainage holes, as clay and terracotta have good water-retaining abilities.
Staking
As they are both climbing plants, you can give the Monstera dubia and Scindapsus some support to climb on. Generally, you can use a moss pole to help the plants climb.
Moss pole has excellent moisture and nutrient retaining abilities, and you can buy it online or make one yourself.
Alternatively, you can use a gardening trellis as support. However, a trellis will not help provide the plant with moisture like the moss poles.
Monstera Dubia vs. Scindapsus: Differences
Despite their similarities and the fact that they belong to the same plant family, the dubia and Scindapsus are two different species. As such, they have many different defining characteristics.
Below are some main differences between the Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus.
Taxonomy
As stated before, Monstera dubia and Scindapsus are different plant species.
Monstera dubia belongs to the genus Monstera which consists of more than 48 flowering plant species native to the tropical regions of South and Central America.
The silver vine belongs to the genus Scindapsus and is native to Southeast Asia and New Guinea.
Leaf Appearance
One of the most noticeable differences between Monstera dubia and Scindapsus pictus is the shape of their leaves.
While both plants have heart-shaped leaves, Monstera dubia has a unique leaf shape, and the Monstera dubia leaves are longer than broad.
On the other hand, the Scindapsus leaves are broader than they are long, with the width of the leaf remaining almost similar until the apex.