Lovers of various kinds of pothos who’re in search of one other addition to your assortment – look no additional than Scindapsus pictus! Whereas it isn’t technically a pothos (though it’s a shut relative) it’s practically indistinguishable – a lot in order that it’s also known as silver or satin pothos.
It has heart-shaped matte leaves and variegated foliage. It makes a stunning addition to any indoor backyard. This trailing plant does properly in hanging baskets, however may also be grown in pots and allowed to spill over and sprawl.
Silver satin pothos with its heart-shaped leaves is a tropical plant and for that reason, it is going to must be a home plant moderately than an out of doors plant in most climates. The plush foliage of the satin pothos and the hanging distinction of the inexperienced and silver variegated leaves add visible curiosity to your indoor houseplant assortment. These indoor crops will probably be most at dwelling in an space with vibrant oblique mild in a pot with drainage holes and a light-weight potting combine. Hold your satin pothos out of the direct solar and also you’ll be having fun with the darkish inexperienced leaves for seasons to come back.
Fast Care Information
Widespread Title | Satin pothos, silver vine, silver pothos |
Scientific Title | Scindapsus pictus |
Household | Aracaea |
Top & Unfold | Can develop as much as 10 ft tall in its outside habitat, often grows to three ft as an indoor houseplant |
Gentle | Shiny, oblique mild |
Soil | Wealthy well-draining potting combine |
Water | Common, water when the highest inch of soil will get dry |
Pests & Illnesses | Plant scale, spider mites, root rot |
All About Scindapsus Pictus

Scindapsus pictus (satin pothos) originated within the tropical areas of Southeast Asia. There, the silvery visage of Scindapsus pictus grows up the edges of bushes. It may be grown open air in the identical method as a perennial in heat climates and when grown as an indoor houseplant, this silk pothos plant suits proper in with different crops inhabiting your area.
Scindapsus pictus widespread names embody silver satin, satin pothos, silver pothos, or silver vine. As its nicknames would recommend it resembles the widespread pothos and is an in depth relative. Satin pothos can also be within the Arum household. Whereas this pothos is an evergreen flowering plant, flowers hardly ever bloom in home environments.
Scindapsus pictus (satin pothos) is a bushy vine with heart-shaped leaves. Additionally they have darkish inexperienced, matte, variegated leaves. The phrase pictus interprets to painted which seemingly refers back to the silvery patches of variegation on the darkish inexperienced leaves.
When including Scindapsus pictus to your assortment, please bear in mind this satin pothos plant is poisonous to canines, cats, and people. It’s a greatest observe to maintain Scindapsus pictus (satin pothos) out of attain of any pets or young children.
There are a number of styles of Scindapsus pictus (and many within the genus Scindapsus), all native to Southeast Asia. There are the stunning inexperienced and purple leaves of Scindapsus pictus exotica, and the uniquely variegated Scindapsus pictus argyraeus. What’s most enjoyable is it doesn’t matter what selection you select, Scindapsus pictus care is straightforward and enjoyable!
Scindapsus Pictus Care

Scindapsus pictus (satin pothos) is understood for being one of many best houseplants to maintain alive. The truth is, the wants of all of the crops within the genus Scindapsus are simple, and it may be forgiving when you delay watering each occasionally.
Solar and Temperature
Scindapsus pictus require full solar which interprets to 6-8 hours per day. It prefers vibrant mild within the type of oblique daylight as a way to preserve the matte inexperienced leaves and variegated foliage. Harsh direct daylight will scorch the leaves of satin pothos. Too little mild could cause the leaves to lose their variegation. It’s a greatest observe to put your satin pothos plant close to a south-facing window, however circuitously in entrance of it within the line of direct daylight.
Scindapsus pictus can not tolerate temperatures under 59 levels Fahrenheit which makes this an indoor houseplant for many USDA rising zones though they are often grown open air in zones 10-12. These crops will be moved open air in spring or early summer season so long as nighttime temperatures keep within the low 60s. This can be very delicate to frost/freezes so bear this in thoughts when you select to maneuver it exterior. Extreme warmth harm may happen in excessive dry warmth which is able to trigger the leaf tricks to flip brown. Rising the satin pothos as an indoor houseplant will assist get rid of these potential issues.
Water and Humidity
Scindapsus pictus care entails simulating the identical setting the crops expertise of their native vary. This tropical plant loves humidity and common watering. Brown leaf ideas can point out dry air and on this case, it could be helpful so as to add a plant humidifier close by. Enhance the relative humidity to 40-50% to stop these points. Satin pothos does greatest in a plastic pot with a sizeable drainage gap. Water commonly, permitting the soil to dry between watering on the prime two inches. Apply room temperature water for greatest outcomes. Scale back watering through the winter months when the plant progress slows for the season. Then improve once more in spring as your Scindapsus pictus crops start to develop new roots and new progress within the rising season.
An excessive amount of water can put your Scindapsus pictus crops at risk of contracting root rot. Make sure the drainage holes within the pot you develop your plant are vast sufficient and the rising medium is acceptable.
Soil
This vining plant does properly in hanging baskets, however they’ll additionally develop in a pot that’s positioned on a shelf or on the bottom. Make sure you fill the container with potting combine with good drainage supplies. Satin pothos prefers its roots to be stored moist, however not waterlogged or soggy. It additionally prefers barely acidic soil ph between 5-6, however may tolerate impartial soils. Should you’re working with a poorer potting combine, add some vermiculite or sand to advertise good drainage.
Fertilizing

Apply a 20-10-10 diluted home plant liquid fertilizer month-to-month through the rising season. You might scale back fertilizing over the winter months. The addition of month-to-month fertilizing will assist maintain the foliage vibrant and wholesome. Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength and regularly improve as spring and summer season go on. In fall, scale back the focus.
Pruning
Scindapsus pictus has a bushy progress behavior and doesn’t essentially require pruning. Nonetheless, occasional pruning of the silvery leaves and inexperienced stems can encourage it to place out extra progress. It’s also possible to skinny the plant by way of pruning. Prune just under the leaf node. Use sharp pruning sheers and make a straight, clear reduce. Should you select to prune your satin pothos then this may also offer you the chance to propagate your cuttings. Learn on under to learn the way!
Propagation
Take cuttings through the summer season when plant progress is at its top for the 12 months. Place stem cuttings within the water and they need to root in a couple of month. Scindapsus pictus has a vigorous root system and might even put out aerial roots and climb up bushes this manner in its native habitat. As soon as your stems have put out measurable root progress then it’s possible you’ll transplant them immediately into potting soil in an acceptable pot.
Repotting
Repot in spring if the plant has outgrown its present container. Enhance the pot dimension slowly going 1-2 inches bigger than the present pot. This can make it easier to keep away from rising issues attributable to an excessive amount of water by not having additional soil to water as a way to maintain the entire pot moist.
Troubleshooting

Satin pothos is a good newbie houseplant as a result of it’s usually pest-free and has few illness points. Nonetheless, there are a couple of issues with satin pothos that will crop up.
Rising Issues
Widespread issues are often on account of both overwatering or underwatering. Keep away from overwatering by ready for the highest few inches of soil to dry out earlier than watering once more. Overwatering can lead to yellow leaves. Conversely, when you discover curling leaves this may point out underwatering. The 2 issues that satin pothos doesn’t tolerate properly are chilly drafts and soggy soil. Yellow leaves may happen with improper humidity ranges. Hold the silvery inexperienced foliage wholesome with the best drainage, water, and humidity.
Some surprise why their satin pothos plant doesn’t produce flowers, and apply an excessive amount of fertilizer in makes an attempt to drive flowering. This can stress Scindapsus pictus argyraeus or Scindapsus pictus exotica plant, placing it in danger for contracting ailments.
Pests
Scale bugs can infest your satin pothos, notably when you’ve determined to convey it exterior within the heat climate months. The scales could hitchhike in your plant again indoors the place it is going to rapidly develop into evident with the dearth of out of doors predators. Scale will seem as small, brown rounded lumps in your plant’s stems and leaves. Pop off these bugs with a q-tip dipped in alcohol. If the infestation of those brown spots has not progressed too far then take away contaminated leaves to stop their unfold. In additional severe instances you’ll be able to apply an natural insecticide similar to neem oil. Standard contact pesticides work as properly.
Spider mites are the most typical concern for many indoor houseplants. They like a heat, dry setting with low humidity. A very good preventative technique is to extend humidity round your houseplants. The primary indicators of mites will probably be tiny holes within the leaves or small yellowish spots on the foliage. You might even discover tiny net clusters on the leaves as properly. If spider mites have already appeared, however there may be little to no harm to the plant then they will seemingly be manually eliminated with a forceful spray of water or wiping down your crops with a moist fabric. If the infestation is extra severe, then insecticidal cleaning soap or natural pesticides containing pyrethrins will be efficient at eliminating all of the spider mites.
Illnesses
Root rot is the primary illness that may have an effect on your satin pothos. The signs of root rot will seem as a delicate mushy stem, wilting, and naturally rotten roots. Any such rot is tougher to get better from however will be remedied if there are nonetheless contemporary, white roots on the plant that haven’t but turned to mush. In the reduction of the rotted roots and plant them right into a pot of dry soil.
Continuously Requested Questions

Q: How do you take care of pictus Scindapsus?
A: Shiny, oblique mild. Water commonly when the highest inch of soil dries out. Prune as wanted and propagate cuttings as desired. This plant has the identical care necessities as commonplace pothos.
Q: Is a Scindapsus pictus a pothos?
A: It’s not a pothos. Each are within the Araceae household, nonetheless, Scindapsus is its personal genus.
Q: Is pictus Scindapsus uncommon?
A: No, it’s a quite common houseplant.
Q: Does Scindapsus pictus develop quick?
A: No, it has a comparatively sluggish progress price.
Q: Can Scindapsus develop in low mild?
A: Sure, nonetheless, the leaves could lose their variegation.
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