Drop Tongue Plant

Drop Tongue Plant (Schismatoglottis wallichii) is a tropical rainforest aroid with elongated green leaves marked in white to pale green, growing about 60cm high. It comes from the shady forest floors of Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra, and it brings silvery striped foliage to indoor spaces and shaded, frost free patios. It is uncommon, which is part of its appeal.

Why you'll love it

• Silvery striped leaves. Long green leaves are marked with white to pale green, which gives a plain corner a lift without bright colour.
• Built for shade. It grows on the floor of the rainforest among leaf litter, so it copes with low light better than most foliage plants.
• It makes pups. Mature plants can send up young plants at the base, which you can pot on or share.
• Small white flowers. Mature plants may produce small white flowers like those of an anthurium.
• Uncommon. It is a rare plant, and not one you will see in every shopping centre.

Where it works best

Interior planting. Place it in a bright room away from direct sun. Its upright leaves suit a corner, a bathroom or a low table.

Shaded, frost free patios. In a pot under cover it adds dark, silvery foliage to a tropical style courtyard.

Underplanting in tropical gardens. Plant 45cm apart under larger plants in a shaded, frost free garden, where the pale markings brighten the shade.

Growing Drop Tongue Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in a humid, shady spot with bright indirect sunlight, and keep it out of bright direct sun. It needs a frost free home, so it grows outdoors in tropical and subtropical gardens and indoors anywhere. High humidity helps.

Soil. Free draining soil or a good quality potting mix is best. It prefers to be moist but not wet around the roots.

Water and feed. Water regularly during the first 12 weeks, then only if the soil seems dry. Feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength every few weeks as it establishes, then every second month. Indoors, a spritz on the foliage keeps it happy.

Pruning. Remove the old leaves for a quick tidy up. Lift and pot on any pups once they have a few leaves of their own.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Drop Tongue Plant as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants travel upright and settle fast. Pot up soon after delivery in a good potting mix and keep the plant in bright, indirect light. A tube plant starts small and builds up its leaves over time.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse house and indoor plants
• Plants for full shade
• More tropical plants
• Best low light plants for the home

Common questions

Is Drop Tongue Plant safe for pets?

No. Like other aroids it is toxic if chewed, so keep it away from pets and young children.

How much light does it need?

Bright indirect light. It grows on the shady floor of the rainforest, so it dislikes bright direct sun.

How often should I water it?

Regularly for the first 12 weeks. After that, water when the soil seems dry, and keep it moist but not wet around the roots.