How to Grow & Care for Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight – Full Guide

Sterling Silver Scindapsus, or Treubii moonlight, is a hugely trendy plant right now, and it’s no wonder why. 

Its unique silvery heart-shaped leaves have made the scindapsus treubii moonlight one of the most desirable houseplants for beginners to cultivate. 

Besides being an excellent addition to your indoor garden, treubii moonlight is a low-maintenance plant that needs minimal care to thrive. 

So what are you waiting for? Step up your houseplant game with this unique plant and learn everything you need to know in this complete guide.

Botanical Name: Scindapsus treubii moonlight

Common Name: Moonlight scindapsus, Sterling Silver scindapsus, Dark Form scindapsus 

Family: Araceae

Plant Type: Vine

Hardiness Zones: 10 USDA

Sun Exposure: Bright indirect sunlight

Soil Type: Porous, quick-draining 

Soil pH: 5-8 pH 

Height: 6-8 feet

Bloom Time: Rarely in summer 

Flower Color: Green

Native Area: Southeast Asia

What’s a Treubii Moonlight?

Scindapsus treubii moonlight is a vining perennial native to the Southeast Asia jungles and the Western Pacific, now grown as a tropical houseplant known for its unique silvery sheen foliage. This plant has long heart-shaped leaves with a thick glossy texture that is dark, silvery, or mottled green.

This plant is part of the Scindapsus genus and the Araceae family. Although native to Southeast Asia rainforests, it can also be found in Queensland and the Pacific Islands. Treubii moonlight thrives in tropical jungles and rainforests, growing along the ground and climbing up trees. 

Treubii Moonlight Care

Scindapsus treubii moonlight care is easy, even for beginners. 

For a thriving plant, keep it away from full sun exposure, but instead, place the plant where it can receive bright and filtered light. 

Water only when the plant’s soil is dry and fertilized during the active growing season. 

Continue reading to get more detailed information about this plant’s care.

Light 

Moonlight scindapsus should be grown where it can receive a medium to bright indirect light. While this plant usually prefers a bright spot, it can tolerate low light levels, although it does not grow as lush or as full in dimmer areas. 

This plant can thrive in both natural and artificial light.

Water

Like most aroids, the treubii moonlight plant is sensitive to overwatering, so make sure you let the top 1-2 inches of the potting mix dry out before watering it- This plant’s thick leaves allow it to hold up well if it dries out. 

Your plant’s leaves might curl up whether you overwater or underwater it, so ensure you have a proper watering schedule.

Humidity

This plant prefers above-average humidity levels, although it can thrive in average conditions. 

If you have dry air at home, you can boost ambient moisture by growing your moonlight plant with other tropical houseplants, growing your plant on a pebble tray, or placing a small humidifier nearby.

Temperature

Native to the rainforests of southeast Asia, this plant’s ideal temperature range is on the warm side. 

Scindapsus treubii will do best between 65ºF-75ºF. Higher temperatures can make this plant’s foliage wilt, and lower temperatures can stunt its growth.

Soil

Moonlight scindapsus’ soil must be porous and well-drained to prevent root rot. You can use commercial succulent or cactus soil mix as they share the exact porous soil requirement. 

You can combine equal parts of orchid bark, perlite, and peat moss to create your own well-draining soil. 

You can switch peat moss for coco coir.

Fertilizer

You may want to apply high-nitrogen fertilizer regularly during the active growing season to keep the plant’s foliage lush and attractive. 

Using fertilizer once a month in spring and summer should be enough to help this plant thrive. 

Do not feed during fall and winter, as the plant enters its dormancy period. 

Pruning  

Pruning is unnecessary for this slow-growing vine, although some people do it for aesthetic reasons. 

If your plant becomes overgrown, you can cut the old woody stems to encourage fresh new growth. 

The best time to prune this plant is during spring, when its dormancy has ended. 

 

Treubii Moonlight Propagation

Treubii moonlight propagation is easily done by taking stem cuttings and rooting them. 

Here’s a step-by-step on how to propagate your Moonlight scindapsus:

1. Identify a branch with new growth on end, and choose a 6-8 inches long section with 1 or 2 nodes at the bottom.
2. Cut the branch of the plant.
3. Remove lower leaves and leave one couple leave at the top. 
4. Place your cutting (s) in a container filled with water and place it where it can receive bright indirect light. Avoid direct light
5. Wait for the new roots to form; this plant does not root s quickly as pothos plants, so be patient.
6. Change the container’s water at least once a week, or when it gets foggy – keep the nodes submerged.
7. Plant your stem cuttings once the roots are 2 to 3 inches long in a nursery pot with well-draining soil and drainage holes.
8. Wait for your new plant to acclimate and continue with proper care. 

Treubii Moonlight Common Problems

Treubii moonlight problems are few and far between. 

Luckily, most problems can be easily fixed when caught early. To avoid these problems, try to meet the following plant requirements. 

If your plant suffers from pests or diseases, continue reading to learn how to fix them.

Pests

This plant is relatively free of serious pests, but you should keep an eye out for any of these pests. 

Mealybugs (they look like tiny cotton puffs on the leaves), spider mites (easily identified as tiny light dots on the leaves’ underside, and aphids (can be easily spotted for the sticky substance that they leave on leaves). 

All of these pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap spray; for more severe infestations, you can use pyrethrum.

Diseases 

Damp soil can cause your treubii moonlight to develop mold. 

Mold can be identified by the plant’s leaves turning yellow or black. 

Repot your Moonlight scindapsus in fresh, well-draining soil and keep the plant on the dry side from then on. 

Neem oil spray can help kill any fungus that may have developed. 

If you see cream or brown woody growths, your plant has crown gall; it should be destroyed to prevent it from spreading to other plants.

Growing Problems 

This plant rarely experiences growing issues, which can usually be solved or prevented with proper cultivation. 

Root rot can be caused if the soil is overwatered. In this case, the plant’s leaves will soften and develop yellow or black spots. Repot your sick plant in new soil and cut back your watering. 

Your soil might be too dry if your plant’s leaves appear brittle or yellow.

Leaves can also turn yellow if they receive too much direct sunlight. Move it somewhere it won’t receive too much light. 

 

Treubii Moonlight Toxicity

Treubii moonlight contains insoluble calcium oxalates, making it toxic for humans and animals.

 This plant is toxic to humans and can cause severe poisoning in children. 

Human ingestion of this plant may cause mouth, tongue, and lip swelling and possible vomiting. For mild exposure, a cold compress can ease the pain. 

Pets ingestion of this plant may develop similar symptoms, excessive drooling, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, kidney damage or death.

Moonlight scindapsus can happily grow on high shelves or hanging baskets, so keep this tropical plant away from your little ones and four-legged friends to avoid its consumption. 

If you suspect the ingestion of treubii moonlight, seek medical attention immediately.

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