Scindapsus: What the Heck Are All These Cultivars About?

Welcome! To my little (just kidding, this is a huge, massive, unwieldy read. If you need tl;dr's feel free to jump around using the Table of Contents, I won't hold it against you) blog on the chaos and anarchy that is Scindapsus nomenclature. Grab a snack, a cozy blanket, some tea (or perhaps a bucket of wine) and let's start comparing some Scindapsus!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Scindapsus Salamount vs. Dark Cloud vs. Peasun
  • vs. Halimoonn
  • Additional Info and Photos
• Scindapsus Tembaga
• Scindapsus Jade Satin Marble vs. Cream Blue
• Scindapsus Mayari vs. Mariposa
• Scindapsus Hologram vs. Hologram Mint vs. Mint sp.
• Scindapsus Maharlika vs. Matcha
• Scindapsus Treubii Albo vs. Moonlight Variegated (or Moonlight Albo)
  • vs. Rubicon
• Final Thoughts (aka The Ravings of a Mad Woman)

Ok! Here we go, in no particular order:

Scindapsus Salamount (vs. Dark Cloud) vs. Peasun

These are, in my opinion, two of the most confusing because they look so much alike. And probably for good reason... They're not actually different plants. (At least not if we're talking about what is conventionally referred to as a "Scindapsus Peason" because, and I don't know how hard you want me to nerd out here, but there's an extra layer of confusion with "Peasun" vs "Geulis Peasun" and most the plants you see called "Peasun" now are the latter, not the former.)

(Anyway.) 

Both Peasun and Salamount are sports of Scindapsus Pictus (specifically Exotica) from the Mount Salak / Bogor region of West Java, Indonesia. Salamount starts popping up around 2021, and I believe it to be the original cultivar. "Peason" doesn't appear until later in 2022 but is nearly identical to the Salamount in every way that matters. I think probably two different growers got sports of Exotica and marketed them with different names either because they #1: Didn't realize the variegate already existed; or, #2: Were attempting to artificially drive up prices with a new name. (I know, I know, like basically unheard of in the plant community.)

I don't believe there's much price difference between the two now (at least according to my very brief googling done at the time of this writing - January, 2025) So it's probably neither here nor there, but I have purchased in and grown out both plants and they. are. the. same. plant. 

(I know somebody is going to come at me with "...but Salamount is characterized by more green than white, whereas Peasun is more white than green!" But I would counter with that the green to white ratio is largely determined by genetics and also the amount of light the plant is given. Feel free and try and prove me wrong below, but you can't, because I'm not.)

VERDICT - THE SAME PLANT

Bonus: Scindapsus Halimoon

This is the most recent of the three, first appearing in 2023 (also in Indonesia) and I'm leaving this guy separate for now because I'm not... 100% sure on him. I don't personally have a Halimoon, nor have I ever had, so I can't speak to any differences first-hand. I will say that from photos it certainly looks similar to Salamount / Peasun. Some people are claiming it's an aurea (yellow) sport vs. an albo (white) sport, others have mentioned that it's a sport of a Scindapsus Pictus Silver Cloud as opposed to a Pictus Exotica. 

If you're interested there's some info here @ aroidcultivars.org

They state they received one in March, 2023 as NoID and that it "exhibits a highly distinct and noteworthy bright creamy yellow with green spotted variegation." (Though, I would argue the same could also be said of the Salamount or Peasun.) There's really no mention of any attempts to confirm a uniqueness comparted to other similar sports, so ehhhhh?

(Also worth noting that none of these; Salamount, Peasun or Halimooon, are considered a recognized cultivar.)

VERDICT - JURY'S STILL OUT

SIDEBAR:

(An update) I feel like this is a good time to take a quick break and talk about variability. Specifically, that Scindapsus can be a lot more variable I think than people give them credit for, which can lead to a lot of confusion in their nomenclature. (A subject on which I spend an inordinate amount of time considering, discussing, writing and fruitlessly arguing with people on Reddit about.) This can make purchasing Scindapsus online, especially if you're buying one leaf cuttings, a bit of a gamble. 

To illustrate, taking three of the plants we were just talking about: 

With the Salamount being an Albo Pictus sport, the Halimoon (allegedly) an Aurea Pictus and the Dark Cloud (supposedly) featuring these larger sectoral chunks of green. If you were to purchase cuttings of these plants, and the leaves were to present with the above colorings, I can guarantee you this is how they would list. The problem is... These photos are all of the same plant:

Now, this might not be that much of a problem if the price is comparable, or if you're just buying for looks and aren't after a specific plant. A lot of times though, sellers would price those cuttings differently, and if you're purchasing a "Salamount," "Peasun," "Halimoon," and "Dark Cloud" from the same seller (or even different sellers) there's a not insignificant chance you're buying three of the same thing.

Scindapsus Tembaga

Another great example of this is the Scindapsus Tembaga.

Characterized by very bright, almost neon sometimes, yellowing marbling on light green leaves:

And they are, usually like this. But also, this plant was grown from the same mother as this plant:

And they look really very little alike. So much so, that I get a kind of crazy number of DMs from people on Instagram trying to tell me that these are "totally different plants!" They "couldn't actually be from the same mother," that I've "been SCAMMED!" And while I appreciate their concern, I took these props and grew these plants myself, and I promise you - They're from the same mother.

Scindapsus just be like this sometimes.

Scindapsus Jade Satin Marble vs. Cream Blue

Similar in appearance to the Salamount / Peasun is the Jade Satin Variegated (sometimes called "Jade Satin Marble" or "Cream Blue.") However, Jade Satin Variegated is a Scindapsus Jade Satin sport, unlike the Salamount / Peasun which is a Pictus sport. The patterning is extremely similar but the leaf shape is different, smaller, and the Jade Satin, like the mother, is softer. Satiny (hence the name.)

So that's them.

VERDICT - JADE SATIN VARIEGATED, JADE SATIN MARBLE AND CREAM BLUE ARE THE SAME PLANT.

JADE SATIN ET. AL. AND SALAMOUNT / PEASUN / HALIMOON? ARE NOT THE SAME PLANT

Scindapsus Mayari vs. Mariposa

On now to Mayari (accepted cultivar) vs. Mariposa - Also extremely similar looking, patterning is very similar, dark greens with sectoral white patches. Mayari is the first on the scene in 2019, another Scindapsus Pictus sport. Mariposa (Fun fact: Mariposa is a Filipino term for a big moth or butterfly) is much newer on the scene (2023) and is a sport of a sport, Scindapsus Silver Lady. It's greens are a bit more "bluey" or "silvery" like the mother plant and the leaves size up much larger.

It can be difficult to tell them apart when they are small so this is another one you want to be sure you're getting from a reputable supplier.

VERDICT - NOT THE SAME PLANT

Scindapsus Hologram vs. Hologram Mint vs Mint sp.

Hologram is another Scindapsus Exotica sport, but he's a super fun one. His variegation is "polaroid" so it comes in very light, and given enough sun, he can stay that way for quite a while, slowly fading down to darker green over time. What I really like about these is the variation in his variegation (it's an alliteration bonanza over here right now.) 

These are also both props from the same mother. One you can see is more speckled, the other more feathery. Sometimes you get both on the same plant. They're kind of fascinating, actually. Another one not to be fooled by though, a lot of people are getting the more "feathery" props and calling them "Scindapsus Mint Sp." or "Hologram Mint" and charging double the price. No. Bad. *Squirts with spray bottle.*

One more time all together now, 👏🏻 they're 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 same 👏🏻 plant 👏🏻

VERDICT - THE SAME PLANT

Scindapsus Maharlika vs. Matcha

Lastly, let's look at Maharlika and Matcha. This is another one where, like the Salamount, or the Hologram or the Tembaga, we're going to have to circle-back to (you guessed it) variability. 

Someone recently sent me this: 

In this graphic, they claim that a Maharlika is characterized by half-moons where a Matcha is marbled, that the Maharlika is more lime where the Matcha is minty (ironically, the two plants they've used to demonstrate are nearly indistinguishable in color and neither of them minty.) BUT. I'm sorry to say that, again, no. This is just marketing. Sellers that are trying to charge more for different variants, or entice you into buying plants that you already own (and to be clear, I don't necessarily mean this seller. Probably this is information they got from their grower, but it's misleading nonetheless, or at least, it doesn't paint the whole picture.)

To demonstrate: 


According to the graphic, you'd be included to believe that Numbers 1 and 4 are Maharlika, where as Numbers 2 and 3 are Matcha, except and again, these are all props from the same mother, which I purchased in from the Philippines (where both these plants originate) as a Matcha. I have seen no evidence that this is anything more than a different names for the same plant scenario. 

Some other growers will tell you that one is an Albo and the other is an Aurea, but again, that's not true. Both the Maharalika and Matcha are Aurea variants and that's because (you'll never guess...)

VERDICT - THE SAME PLANT

Scindapsus Treubii Albo vs. Moonlight Variegated (or Moonlight Albo)

Did I say "lastly?" You thought I was done with you? Just kidding! I've got more - I also want to touch on these guys for a moment, since they are, in my experience, one of the Scindapsus types you're most likely to get scammed on. To understand these plants, we need to understand the base plants. Specifically, that all Scindapsus "Moonlight" are a type of Treubii, but not all Treubii are Scindapsus "Moonlight." 

Scindapsus Treubii "Moonlight" are a Scindapsus Treubii sport featuring dark green leaves with a silvery sheen. They're a popular, fairly common, houseplant that I am particularly adept at accidentally murdering. 

(Photo credit: https://www.foliage-factory.com/scindapsus-treubii-moonlight)

That silvery sheen being what separates them from a standard, non-sport, Scindapsus Treubii. This distinction is important to note. 

A Scindapsus Treubii Albo is an albo sport of Scindapsus Treubii. NOT a sport of Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight. The problem is that Scindapsus Moonlight Albo is also a thing. A very rare, very expensive thing, and growers absolutely everywhere are trying to pass off Scindapsus Treubii Albo as Scindapsus Moonlight Variegated. 

How widespread is this problem, you ask?

These are the top results on Google when you search for "Scindapsus Moonlight Albo."

Not a single one of them is a Moonlight Albo.

All of the plants pictured are Scindapsus Treubii Albo. I would also like to add, it's possible these sellers don't know that they've incorrectly labelled these plants. It's likely they bought them in, particularly if they were imported, as Moonlight Albo. I have been scammed on these myself, so it absolutely happens. I'm not attempting to speak to their motivations. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, it could certainly be an innocent mistake. 

The good news most of them are priced appropriately for a Treubii Albo and not a Moonlight. I would expect an actual Moonlight Albo to run $500 (ish) for a small plant. (Again, at least as of this posting. Plant prices always being subject to change.) If you're getting it for under $100, it is not a Moonlight. If it doesn't have the silvery sheen, it is not a Moonlight. 

Here's a link to an actual Treubii Moonlight Albo for reference ---> CLICK ME!

Note that silvery sheen I won't stop going on about?

At the end of the day, Treubii Albo is a beautiful plant in it's own right, but it's good to understand what you're getting. Be particularly careful if importing these. I've yet to see a single Indonesian reseller have an actual Moonlight Albo, despite what they insist on calling them. I know Rare Plant Fairy was selling actual Moonlight Albo once upon a time (I know this because I purchased and killed one from her and it was definitely the real deal R.I.P.) So, if you've got a masochistic streak and some cash to blow, I'd start by checking there if attempting to find one domestically. 

VERDICT - NOT THE SAME PLANT

Bonus: Scindapsus Rubicon

Rubicon is also a Treubii sport, but it's the aurea (yellow) version.

This particular one put out nothing but halfmoons, so obviously this is actually not a Rubicon, but instead is a Scindapsus Yellow Starlight Moon Dancer. 

(Just kidding!)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

While there are many legitimate Scindapsus cultivars out there, a lot of times it will come down to your personal threshold for uniqueness. The argument could be made that any time a propagation displays a different characteristic (i.e. a Salamount prop that's more yellow than cream) it should be considered a separate plant onto itself (i.e. Halimoon instead of a Peasun) but, for me, that kind of thinking is problematic...

Here's why:

1. I know I've said it a lot of times now, but Scindapsus are incredibly variable. Different grow conditions can have huge impacts on the way their variegation presents and more than any other plants I've worked with they are highly prone to random, but unstable, mutations.
   
2. Often times these minor variations are not consistent. As demonstrated by the Matcha props occasionally throwing halfmoon babies, sometimes they hold them for several leaves, sometimes it will continue throughout that particular plant, but that doesn't necessarily make it more likely to pass that trait on. 
3. This type of overzealous rebranding leads to a lot of confusion in the plant community, on the part of buyers and sellers alike, and it leaves people much more likely to be manipulated, taken advantage of or outright scammed.

In closing, at a minimum, I feel like we should at least try and adhere to the standards of the definition: A cultivar is a kind of plant that has been selectively bred to display unique traits and which retains those traits when propagated.

Alright. Wow. That was a lot. But I think that's it for now?

I will be going back through in the next couple days to add some more photos, just in a bit of a rush at the moment. I've got a whole box of probably-dead-by-now Begonia to unpack downstairs. Wish me luck!

Shout out to my very dear plant-friend, Tess, for inspiring this whole post. She also sells lovely plants, and various things, and she has snails in her watering can, I mean, what more need I say? She's awesome. You can (and should) check out her Etsy shop ---> HERE.

As always, if you have any questions, or want to fight about whether or not Scindapsus Salamount and Peasun are the same plant (they are) please feel free to comment below. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!