How to care for Schismatoglottis (Drop Tongue Plant) - Expert tips for thriving plants

Schismatoglottis is an elegant addition to your PLNTS collection. It has yet to become a common houseplant, and it is rather rare to see any houseplant stores. Despite this, it has gained popularity due to its unique foliage and low maintenance requirements.

Schismatoglottis originates from Thailand, Borneo and Malaysia, where she grows underneath the jungle canopy. It’s part of the big Araceae family, which is known for its ability to grow flowers that are called Spadix. There are several varieties of Schismatoglottis, but they all have gorgeous and unique leaves.

They are ideal for people with some experience with plant care, as they require more attention to their humidity and watering needs than some other houseplants.

Schismatoglottis Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Water it really carefully. As a tropical houseplant, it enjoys moist soil but not waterlogged. Always check the soil before watering it again!
2. Avoid overwatering and wet feet. Water only when the top layer of soil has dried out, and be sure to empty excess water from the pot or saucer to avoid “wet feet”.
3. Use room temperature water. Cold water can shock the plant, and hot water can damage the roots. It's best to use water that's at room temperature.
4. Although they can handle lower humidity, they really thrive in humidity levels above 60%. If you notice brown or crispy tips on their leaves, it's likely because of low humidity.
5. They don't like their leaves to stay wet for long periods. Wipe the leaves occasionally to remove any water droplets and help prevent fungal issues.
6. Fertilise it once a month during the growing season. It will give your Schismatoglottis a little boost for healthy and beautiful growth. Pause fertilising during fall and winter.
7. Use light and well-draining soil specifically designed for Aroid houseplants. This will help with proper drainage and promote healthy roots.
8. Schismatoglottis plants can become root-bound over time. Repot your plant every 2-3 years to give it more space and fresh soil. Be sure to handle the roots gently during the repotting process.
9. Look for common houseplant pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. If you notice any, remove them manually or use a gentle insecticidal soap to treat the plant.
10. Pay attention to the plant's leaves. If the leaves are drooping or turning yellow, it could be a sign of overwatering. If the leaves are brown or crispy at the edges, it might be under-watered.

Schismatoglottis Care

Light requirements

Schismatoglottis enjoys bright indirect light, which means filtered natural light. It grows naturally in tropical forests under big tree canopies, so it's used to receive dappled light through the big tree’s leaves.

Expert tip! Place your Schismatoglottis near a window that receives bright but indirect light, like a north or east-facing window. A few hours of morning or evening sunlight is fine but avoid the harsh afternoon sun.

Schismatoglottis are relatively adaptable, and they can tolerate lower light conditions for short periods. However, lack of light can cause the Schismatoglottis to show leggy growth, smaller leaves, and fewer flowers. It might also have duller leaves and be more susceptible to pests.

Watering

Schismatoglottis likes its soil moist but not waterlogged. Getting the watering routine right for it can be challenging at first, but with a few experiments, you'll get it right! It’s important to always check the soil's moistness before giving her a sip. Whenever the top layer of soil is beginning to feel dry, it is time to water it.

Expert tip! When your Schismatoglottis gets thirsty, its leaves will start to droop. That's your cue to give it some water! Don't worry. Once it has a drink, it will perk right back up.

Water your plant until you see some water running out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Be sure to empty the saucer under the pot after watering so the plant doesn't sit in standing water.

Fertilisation

Your Schismatoglottis loves a monthly treat of liquid fertiliser. During the growing season, just add a monthly dose of PLNTS nutrition liquid fertiliser to your watering routine, and your plant will get all the nutrients it needs to thrive. And don't worry about feeding it in the fall and winter – it doesn't need fertiliser during its dormant season.

Temperature & humidity

Your Schismatoglottis will be a happy houseplant if you keep the temperature between 18°C and 27°C and the humidity above 40%. While maintaining the right temperature is usually easy in most homes, keeping the humidity up can be challenging. This tropical plant thrives in humidity levels above 60%, but that can be hard to achieve in a regular home, especially during the winter when the heating is on.

Expert tip! If your Schismatoglottis has brown or crispy leaf tips, it's likely a hint that your room's humidity is too low. It's time to increase the humidity!

If you find the air too dry for your Schismatoglottis, consider getting an air humidifier or trying other ways to increase humidity for your houseplants.

Repotting & soil

Schismatoglottis plants don't need to be repotted often. You'll know it's time when you see roots poking out of the drainage holes in the pot. Read our tips and tricks on how to repot a houseplant. As an Aroid, Schismatoglottis will love airy, chunky, well-draining soil mix. We recommend using 60% soil, 15% bark, 10% coconut fibre, 10% charcoal and 5% perlite. You can find all these ingredients in the PLNTS Aroid soil mix.

Schismatoglottis propagation

Your Schismatoglottis will grow tiny baby Schismatoglottis for you. Once these pop up, you can divide the pups from the mother plant. Try to have some root system on the pup to make the chance of a successful propagation bigger.

Most common pests on Schismatoglottis

The most common pests on Schismatoglottis are mealybugs and scales. This doesn’t mean that your Schismatoglottis can’t get infested with other types of pests. We recommend having a little plant inspection on a regular basis. This is also the perfect opportunity to wipe off any dust on your plant's leaves. This will ensure the happiness and health of your plants!

Are Schismatoglottis poisonous for your pets or children?

Unfortunately, Schismatoglottis is poisonous when ingested by humans and pets. When you have children or pets, we advise you to place this plant in an unreachable spot, like a high shelf or closed greenhouse.

Buy your new Schismatoglottis online at PLNTS.com

Is this relatively low maintenance and decorative plant a suiter for your urban jungle? At PLNTS.com you can buy Schismatoglottis online, like the Schismatoglottis Walichii. Whether you like your plants big from the start or prefer to grow them from tiny BabyPLNTS into full-grown PLNTS - buy Schismatoglottis online at PLNTS.com.