Marcgravia rectiflora

Species: Marcgravia rectiflora

Common name(s): Shingling Vine, Marcgravia

Native to: Cuba

Temperature preferences: Warm growing

Water preferences: Medium moisture

Terrestrial or Epiphytic: Terrestrial

General Information and Care: Marcgravia rectiflora is the most common species available in the terrarium hobby. Glass Box Tropicals' first plant was obtained almost 10 years ago and is still going strong! This is one of the faster growing species, as well as one of the most tolerant of water being on the leaves. It is a bright green, with leaves varying from under one inch to just over an inch under typical terrarium conditions. This is a great beginner Marcgravia to get your feet wet with!

As with all of the other Marcgravias that Glass Box Tropicals offers, this is considered to be a shingling type of plant. Shingling plants are vines that are prone to climb up towards the light. The leaves, many times, almost appear to form themselves to the surface that they are growing on. This is true whether it is your background or a piece of driftwood. Also, it should be noted that no Marcgravias seem to like water sitting on their leaves for long periods of time.

Marcgravias are found throughout Central and South America, as well as in the Caribbean. In their natural habitat, they are typically found growing up tree trunks in the rainforest. Before flowering, Marcgravias send out lateral branches with mature foliage (mature foliage differs from the typical foliage customers will see in their terrarium and in the pictures provided). It is these lateral branches that the plant will then bloom from.

Glass Box Tropicals Plant Care Rating: 4

Shipped Size: 8-10 leaf tip cutting. Should be rooted in moist long fiber sphagnum moss.