Quick answer: Shingling plants need a rough, constantly damp vertical surface to climb. Cork bark is ideal. Plant the vine at the base of a cork background or tube, pin the first leaves flat against the bark, and keep humidity at 70–90% with good airflow. Within a few months Marcgravia, Rhaphidophora hayi or Monstera dubia will "shingle" up the cork in overlapping, flattened leaves.
What is a shingling plant?
"Shingling" describes a juvenile growth form of certain climbing vines. As they climb a tree trunk, they press flat, overlapping leaves tightly against the bark, like shingles on a roof. This protects the growing tip and helps the plant cling with aerial roots. Many shingling plants eventually change into a completely different adult form once they reach the canopy. In a vivarium they generally stay in their decorative juvenile stage.
Best shingling plants for vivariums
| Plant | Leaf size | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcgravia sp. (e.g. M. rectiflora, 'Suriname', 'Peru') | 1–3 cm | Slow-moderate | The classic dart frog vivarium shingler. Tiny, glossy leaves in a neat ladder |
| Rhaphidophora hayi | 3–6 cm | Moderate | Bluish-green leaves pressed tightly to bark. Very popular |
| Monstera dubia | 3–8 cm | Moderate | Silver-marbled shingles. Needs height to look its best |
| Scindapsus 'Silvery Ann' / S. pictus | 4–8 cm | Moderate | Will shingle when climbing damp cork; trails when not |
| Rhaphidophora cryptantha | 2–5 cm | Slow | Dark, silver-veined leaves. Collector favourite |
| Ficus pumila 'Quercifolia' / 'Minima' | 0.5–2 cm | Moderate-fast | Not a true shingler, but clings flat and covers cork fast. Prune regularly |
Why cork is the best surface
Shingling plants need three things from their climbing surface: texture for roots to grip, moisture so the roots don't dry out, and stability. Natural cork bark gives all three:
- The deeply fissured outer bark gives aerial roots countless anchor points.
- Cork holds a film of moisture after misting without rotting. It can last for many years in a humid vivarium.
- It's lightweight, so you can silicone large pieces to glass without worrying about weight.
Use cork bark backgrounds or cork flats for walls, and cork tubes or cork branches as vertical "trunks" in the middle of the enclosure. Smooth woods like sandblasted grapewood and polished driftwood give roots very little to grab, so shinglers rarely attach well to them.
Step-by-step: planting a shingler on cork
- Prepare the cork. Rinse it and, if it's going on the background, fix it to the glass with 100% silicone. Let it cure fully. See our cork background guide.
- Plant at the base. Set the rooted cutting in the soil right where the cork meets the substrate. Use a free-draining tropical mix like Canadian-made Jurassic ABG Terrarium Mix.
- Pin the stem flat. Lay the vine against the cork and hold it in place with plant pins, toothpicks pushed into cork fissures, or fishing line. The leaves need to touch the surface.
- Pad with moss. A thin strip of damp sphagnum along the first few nodes keeps the roots moist while they reach for the cork.
- Keep the cork damp. Mist the cork directly, at least daily, until roots attach. In drier Canadian homes, a misting system pointed at the background helps enormously.
- Be patient. Expect a few weeks of apparent sulking while the plant puts out roots. Then new leaves will appear flattened against the bark.
Common reasons shinglers won't shingle
- The surface is too dry. Roots won't attach to dry bark. This is the number one cause.
- The vine isn't touching the surface. A vine that hangs even a centimetre away will grow in its normal, non-shingling form.
- Too much light. Shinglers grow in forest shade. Intense light directly on them can bleach the leaves.
- Not enough height. Larger species like Monstera dubia only look their best on tall backgrounds, 60 cm or more.
- Stagnant air. Constantly wet leaves in still air invite rot and mould. Use a top vent or small fan.
Shinglers and animals
Small-leaved Marcgravia is a dart frog classic. It's sturdy, slow and makes great perching ladders. Larger shinglers like Rhaphidophora hayi suit crested gecko and tree frog builds, but heavy geckos can knock newly attached vines off the cork. Pin them well until the roots grip. Aroids like Rhaphidophora, Monstera and Scindapsus contain calcium oxalates, so leave them out of builds with herbivorous reptiles.
Combining shinglers with other plants
For a natural rainforest wall, combine a shingler or two with mounted bromeliads, trailing peperomia, small epiphytic ferns and patches of live moss. Leave some bare cork showing. Negative space makes the shingles stand out.
FAQ
How long does it take a shingling plant to climb?
Under good conditions, Rhaphidophora hayi and Monstera dubia can climb 10–20 cm in a few months once established. Marcgravia is slower but very steady.
Can shingling plants grow on a foam or epoxy background?
Yes, if the surface is textured and stays damp. Many builders press coco fibre or cork substrate into the foam or epoxy for grip. Natural cork still gives the most reliable attachment.
Will Monstera dubia turn into a big monstera?
In a typical vivarium, no. The adult form with split leaves only develops after a long climb to great height, which is rarely possible indoors.