How Do You Care For Scindapsus Lucens?
How do you care for Scindapsus Lucens? Scindapsus Lucens is a type of succulent plant. It is native to southern Africa and it can grow up to two feet in height. The leaves of the plant have a creamy yellow color with brown dots. Making sure that your Scindapsus Lucens stays healthy and thrives for…
How do you care for Scindapsus Lucens?
Scindapsus Lucens is a type of succulent plant. It is native to southern Africa and it can grow up to two feet in height.
The leaves of the plant have a creamy yellow color with brown dots. Making sure that your Scindapsus Lucens stays healthy and thrives for many years requires more than just care-taking, though;
Light
The Scindapsus Lucens prefers bright to moderate light. Due to the hue of its leaves, it can also withstand a little more light than solid green leafed species such as Scindapsus Jade Satin.
Scindapsus Lucens silver-gray parts do not absorb light as well as the green sections of the leaves. Additionally, they do not contribute to photosynthesis, which is necessary for a plant’s life.
To compensate for the lack of absorption and light processing, the plant must be exposed to additional light. As a result, it can also endure more light.
Temperature
The Scindapsus Lucens, like its near cousins, is endemic to Southeast Asia. This acclimates it to year-round sunshine with no hint of cold or winter.
Due to this region’s proximity to the equator, the temperature is often warm to extremely hot, even in the winter. The rainy season begins around late summer or early fall.
However, in Southeast Asia, the sun shines every day of the year. As such, the Scindapsus Lucens is highly tolerant of warm, even hot, circumstances.
Although it is happiest when maintained between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit inside. More significantly, it suffers from cold. Therefore, avoid leaving it in an area with a temperature below 60 degrees for lengthy periods of time.
Humidity
Another feature of Southeast Asian weather is moderate to high humidity. This is why the Scindapsus Lucens prefers a humidity range of 50% to 80%.
Fortunately, it can endure lower humidity levels. Although you should continue to watch the plant if the air becomes very dry. I strongly advise you to get a digital hygrometer if you reside in an area with low humidity. Maintain an indoor humidity level of 40% or above.
While the plant can handle temperatures somewhat below that, there is a risk of crispy leaves and tips, as well as browning along the edges. When you see any of them, check the humidity levels and make mental notes of them.
Soil
The Scindapsus Lucens is not particular about the soil it grows in; it will thrive in practically any type of soil. Although it is always prudent to avoid overwatering.
Thus, a soil that drains freely is best for the plant. Similarly, a soil pH of 6.1 to 6.5 is optimal. This indicates you have a few possibilities.
This should work with any excellent quality houseplant potting mix. If it appears to be in need of further drainage, add some perlite.
Aroid mixture – this is an excellent option if you already possess other aroids such as monsteras or philodendrons. You may also use the same mixture on Scindapsus Lucens.
Along with the potting mix, ensure that the container has adequate drainage. This prevents the liquid evaporating from the soil from pooling at the bottom of the container.
Fertilizer
Because the typical humidity level in the Scindapsus Lucens’ natural environment is quite high, it likes moderate to high humidity (between 60 percent and 70 percent). Additionally, it will not object to exceeding that range. However, the plant is quite tolerant of lesser concentrations.
Ideally, maintain a humidity level of 40% or above. This will avoid the development of dry or crispy leaf tips, which are an indication of too dry air.
If you live in the desert or have extremely hot, dry summers, you’ll want to keep track of which months have the lowest humidity.
Pruning
Pruning the Scindapsus Lucens is a low-maintenance activity. While the trailing tendrils of this plant can become rather long, they are rarely a concern because the plant looks attractive when allowed to grow longer. Naturally, this will vary according to the look you’re looking for.
Allow it to grow longer in a hanging basket. This is also true if you give some vertical support for it. However, avoid performing all of the trimming at once. Minor trimming on a regular basis benefits the plant. This also allows you to sculpt the plant as you go while maintaining control of its length.
Propagation
The most effective method of propagating Scindapsus Lucens is by stem cuttings. Because the plant develops a large number of stems and leaves, this is simple to do.
Repotting
Repot every two years, the Scindapsus Lucens requires. However, the precise time frame will depend on the rate of growth.
As such, the amount of needs it receives will have an effect on its pace of growth. Similarly, how the plant is grown has an effect on this.
When permitted to ascend, the Scindapsus Lucens grows the fastest. This also produces the plant’s largest leaves. As a result, providing it with a stake, pole, or trellis to climb will need it to be repotted earlier than if it is placed in a hanging basket.
Is Scindapsus Lucens Rare?
The Scindapsus Lucens is a rare species that is less well-known and difficult to locate than the Scindapsus Pictus. It was introduced to the Munich Botanic Garden in 2013 and grows naturally as a tree trunk climber.
The plant is prized for its exquisite leaves, which have a glossy, bullate texture and range in color from gray to light green. The little rough portions and distinctive hue help differentiate it from other Scindapsus kinds such as Scindapsus Pictus and Scindapsus Officinalis.
The plant is frequently found in Southeast Asia’s woods, particularly in portions of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Despite its rarity in the pet industry, it is rather easy to grow. It’s fairly tolerant of lower light conditions and can be kept on the ground or mounted on a tree trunk.
It does not require much fertilizer and will do well with Repta-Gro or a regular houseplant fertilizer at one quarter the recommended strength once a month.
Does Scindapsus Lucens need humidity?
Low humidity is not recommended for the Scindapsus Lucens because it will be prone to dryness or crispy dry leaf tips. If you are in an area with low humidity, maintain a humidity level of 40% or above. Scindapsus Lucens can withstand lower humidity levels.
The plant can tolerate low to moderate temperatures and is relatively cold-hardy. However, it needs warmth to bloom and maintain its color. If it starts to turn brownish yellow, too cold is the likely culprit. If you live in a dry area, make sure you check the humidity levels. If you have a digital hygrometer, you should consider getting one to make sure the humidity is appropriate.
How often should I water my Scindapsus Lucens?
It depends on many factors such as the size of the container you are using, how much it dries out, your watering routine, and the amount of rainfall your area receives during the growing season. If you do not know your watering routine, check the soil every two weeks to see if it needs more water.
If you are using a pot, check the soil every week to see if it needs more water. If you are using potted Scindapsus Lucens, check them every 3–4 months to make sure that they don’t need more water.
Scindapsus Lucens that are in a pot or being grown in the ground need water less frequently than those planted in large containers. You should water your Scindapsus Lucens every week during the hotter summer months and less frequently during the cooler seasons of autumn and winter.
If you are using a pot, check the soil every week to see if it needs more water. Most indoor plants like Scindapsus Lucens need more frequent water when kept in pots, as opposed to being planted directly into the ground.
How do you propagate Scindapsus Lucens?
Scindapsus Lucens is propagated by stem cuttings. Its roots readily produce and spread out into new areas after the stem is cut. This can be done in a number of ways, but it is best to use a sharp knife or pruning shears for this activity. The stem cuttings should be placed in water and kept at about 80°F (27°C) for three weeks before planting in soil. The following are procedure when propagating Scindapsus Lucens;
- Remove several stems from the mother plant. Each stem should have two leaf nodes, or places where leaves are attached.
- Remove any leaves and strip the outer 1-3 scales of each node with a sharp knife or pruning shears to reveal the node, which is the area that develops roots. The bottom scale is removed because it will stay on the mother plant, and leaf nodes higher up tend to grow roots faster.
- Trim the bottom end of each node with a sharp knife or pruning shears to form a point.
- If you are growing the plants in pots, use pencils to make holes in the bottom of each pot so water will be able to penetrate.
- Use scissors to remove small amounts of the top of each node, leaving about a quarter inch (6 mm) until you have made as many shoots as you want.
- Place the cuttings in a container with moist soil and cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep them moist but not in contact with the soil. You may also place a heating pad under your Scindapsus Lucens pot so it will stay warm.
- Label each stand and check the temperature every few days until they are well rooted.
- After the roots are visible, plant each cutting in a 6-inch (15 cm) pot or larger with moist potting soil.
- Place the pot in a warm, humid location for two weeks to allow it to develop new roots, which occur faster when crowded together. Then move them to standard locations with moderate light and heat.
Is Scindapsus Lucens toxic to cats?
Scindapsus Lucens is toxic for cats and dogs. However, it becomes dangerous only when consumed, as chewing releases the calcium oxalate crystals found in the plant’s leaves and stems. These crystals can burn a hole in the tongue or mouth and may cause irritation of the digestive tract. Symptoms of toxicity include burning and swelling of the mouth, drooling, vomiting, hives and trouble swallowing.
Cats are not interested in eating Scindapsus Lucens because they prefer to eat meat than plants. If you have cats or dogs around, make sure you keep them away from your plant.
These are needle-like particles that will puncture your mouth, throat, and stomach’s interior lining. They can cause intestinal distress, and they may be visible in the feces. The most common symptoms of toxicity are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
If your pet has eaten a dangerous amount of Scindapsus Lucens, immediately take him or her to the veterinarian for immediate treatment.