Growing guide · Houseplant

Schismatoglottis

How to grow Drop Tongue Plant 'Rivera'.

Every leaf a small mural.

Light
Medium
Water
High
Zones
Indoors, any
Size
12–18 in. tall
Pot
6.5 in. pot; size up one inch at a time.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $35
Plant with glossy heart-shaped dark green corrugated leaves splashed silver-green

Light

Medium, indirect light. Direct sun bleaches and burns the leaves.

Water

Keep the soil lightly moist. Let the surface dry slightly before watering again, but don't let it dry out.

Pot and soil

A moisture-holding, airy mix of potting soil, coir and perlite. Humidity keeps the edges clean.

Pot it inRosy Aroid Soil · 4 qtChunky and airy, the way climbing aroids like it. 4 qt repots 2–3 plants. Peat-free, by Rosy Soil

Feeding

Half-strength liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer.

Grooming

Cut old or damaged leaves at the base. It fills out from new shoots at the soil line.

Through the year

Spring and summer: feed lightly and keep the soil evenly moist. Fall and winter: heated air is the enemy, so add humidity, stop feeding and keep it away from vents.

If something's off

Brown edges mean dry air; yellow leaves mean soggy soil. Keep it away from pets that nibble.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Red Sword Plant 'Opulence'
Apoballis acuminatissimaRed Sword Plant 'Opulence' from $25
Labisia 'Kura Kura'
LabisiaLabisia 'Kura Kura' from $30

Why we stock it: It's a rare aroid that's easier to keep than it looks.

That's the whole guide. Thanks for reading.

Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.

Next
Find your next plant →
All houseplants →How we label →
The Sunday Tip · every Sunday

One good plant idea,
every Sunday.

What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.