Silver Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) Care Indoors, Propagation, Problems & Remedies
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Silver Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) prefers medium to bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
In this guide, we will dive deep into everything you need to know about caring for Silver Pothos indoors and propagating it successfully. From light and watering to pruning, propagation, and troubleshooting common issues. Whether you are nurturing your first plant or expanding your indoor jungle, you are in the right place.
Scindapsus pictus also called Silver Philodendron are evergreen climbing plants which bear matte green leaves covered in silver blotches with a satin sheen.
The species name, 'pictus' means 'painted', in reference to the variegation on the leaves. These spectacular variegations make these plants some of the popular tropical foliage plants for the home, office and other spaces.
Silver Pothos can be treated as a trailer or climber, reaching up to 10 feet or more under good conditions. The stems can be allowed to trail from a hanging basket, a trellis or wall display.
Botanical name: Scindapsus pictus
Synonym: Scindapsus argyraeus
Family: Araceae
Common names: Silver Pothos, Silver Philodendron
Origin
Scindapsus pictus are native to India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and the Philippines..
How big do Silver Pothos get?
Silver Pothos are climbing plants which can grow upto 10 feet high and about 4 feet wide. They like to climb when given a support like a moss pole or trellis.
Varieties
Many varieties of Scindapsus pictus are available and include;
Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus' (Satin Pothos)
Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' (Silver Satin Pothos)
Scindapsus pictus 'Silvery Ann'
Scindapsus pictus 'Treubii Dark Form' (Treubii Pothos Dark Form)
Scindapsus pictus 'Treubii Moonlight' (Treubii Pothos Moonlight)
Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Princess' among others.
Is Scindapsus pictus toxic?
Yes. According to ASPCA, Scindapsus pictus are toxic to both humans and pets. They contain Calcium oxalate crystals which if ingested it causes burning and swelling in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Silver Pothos are toxic to cats, dogs and other pets. Keep these plants from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishap.
Where to Buy
Silver Pothos are charming plants to add to your collection. You may get these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Scindapsus pictus Care Indoors
To care for Scindapsus pictus indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 15-290C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Silver Pothos requires regular pruning to keep neat, to promote a bushy growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is needed only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
How much light do Silver Pothos like?
Silver Pothos grow best in medium to bright indirect light; a spot infront of a large, bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to diffuse the sun to prevent scorching.
Can Silver Pothos grow in low light?
Some varieties of Silver Pothos can tolerate lower light but the variegation will fade in poor light. The more variegated types require more light to maintain the variegation. Where the natural lighting is not adequate, you may usefull spectrum grow lights to complement it.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent leggy growth.
Watering
How often do you water Silver Pothos?
Do not water on a schedule. Water your Silver Pothos liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing, curling leaves and leaf drop.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely as underwatering can lead to wilting, curling leaves, yellowing and leaf loss.
Only water with room temperature water to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf drop. Use chlorine-free water to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging which can result in root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.
Temperature & Humidity
Silver Pothos thrives in a warmth of 15-290C. This aligns perfectly with normal indoor living conditions, which is why it adapts so well to homes and offices.
Keep the plant away from draft sources like AC units, hot air vents, heat sources, open doors and windows among other as they can cause temperature flactuations resulting in stunted growth, curling leaves, yellowing and leaf loss.
Scindapsus pictus have no need for extra air humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for these plants. However, in higher humidity, leaves grow larger, fuller, and more vibrant, with better silver patterning.
If the air is too dry, the plant will respond with slowed growth, brown and shrivelled leaf tips. To elevate humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain a good air flow to reduce fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Silver Pothos with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn and salt buildup as growth is reduced at this time.
If you notice white crust on the soil surface, flush out the excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for some time to clear as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Scindapsus pictus be a well-draining, airy soil mix which does not get soggy while providing the required nutrients. A potting mix designed for Pothos or one designed for Aroids is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Silver Pothos during the growing season only when pot-bound; when the roots grow through the drainage holes. Repotting is important to provide adequate room for growth to prevent stunted growth, yellowing, brown leaf tips and leaf loss..
Select a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.
Silver Pothos are perfect in a hanging basket where the the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Check out these hanging planters with macrame hangers on Amazon.
It can also be trained to climb which result in larger and more dramatic leaves, mimicking its natural growth habit. In its natural habitat, it climbs trees using aerial roots, and indoors it responds well to moss poles, trellises, or wall hooks.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Silver Pothos involves frequent removal of any dead foliage to keep the plant neat as well as improve air flow which discourages pests and diseases.
Pinch off the growing tips to encourage a compact, bushy growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
Cutback the stems at the beginning of the growing season if they become straggly to rejuvenate growth. Use clean, sharp scissors. The foliage emanating from the pruning can be used to propagate new plants.
Regularly damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestation.
Scindapsus pictus Propagation
Scindapsus pictus propagation is best done from stem cuttings at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when in active growth for faster establishment. The cuttings can be rooted either in water or in soil.
Taking Silver Pothos stem cuttings
Take a 4-6 inches stem cutting from a healthy plant. Ensure the cutting has at least 2-3 leaf nodes and some aerial roots.
Strip off the lower leaves to expose the leaf nodes.
1. Silver Pothos propagation from stem cuttings in water
- Place 2-3 inches of the exposed stem in a jar of plain water, ensure at least one leaf node is covered in water as well as the aerial roots.
- Position the set up in a well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.
- Change the water every 5-7 days to prevent fungal growth.
- When the roots are about 2 inches long, start acclimating them to grow in soil. Rooting in water should take about 3-4 weeks.
- Acclimating the roots to grow in soil entails adding a little soil daily into the rooting jar over a period of time until when there is more soil than water in the rooting jar.
- Transplant the new plant into moist, well-draining soil when the roots have grown to about 4 inches long after which you can begin routine care.
2. Silver Pothos propagation from stem cuttings in soil
- Insert 2-3 inches of the exposed stem of the cutting in moist rooting soil and ensure at least one leaf node together with the aerial roots are covered under soil.
- To hasten rooting, cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until roots have developed.
- Rooting should take about 2-3 weeks and the new plant will be ready to be transplanted in about 2-3 months.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting, after which you can begin routine care.
Scindapsus pictus Problems & Remedies
What are common Silver Pothos problems?
Silver Pothos common problems are yellow leaves, curling leaves, brown leaf tips & edges, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Silver Pothos are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, low light, dry air, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency, salts buildup or aging.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Low light: Position the plant in medium to bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to raise humidity.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, heat sources, AC units, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with an organic plant food every 4 weeks in spring and summer but do not feed in fall and winter.
Aging: It is natural for the older leaves to turn yellow, brown and drop as the plant matures.
Check out these 12 Reasons Why Pothos Leaves are Turning Yellow and How to Fix It.
Curling leaves
Why are my Silver Pothos leaves curling?
Your Silver Pothos leaves are curling due to underwatering, soggy soil or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out bu do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts to prevent temperature flactuations and maintain a warmth of 15-290C.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips & edges on Scindapsus pictus are caused by dry air, soggy soil, underwatering, being pot-bound or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other humid areas in the home.
Soggy soil: Repot the plant in fresh soil. Ensure the soil is draining properly and the pot has a drainage hole. Always discard any water that remains on the saucer after watering.
Underwatering: Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out; avoid delayed watering.
Being pot-bound: Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing thorough the drainage hole and repot the plant into a pot 1 sizes larger.
Salts buildup: Regularly flush out any excess salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth on Silver Pothos is caused by insufficient light. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Pests
Common pests on Silver Pothos are spider mites and mealybugs which are especially common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plants with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Regularly inspect the plant under the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- To step-up humidity, use a cool mist humidifier, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together.
Diseases
Silver Pothos is prone to root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellow leaves, leaf drop and rotting stems.
How to fix it
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh potting soil.
- Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent sogginess.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, brightly-lit spot.
- Do not water until new growth appears and avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
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