Scindapsus pictus (Satin Pothos) Indoor Care, Propagation, Growing Problems and their Solutions

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Scindapsus pictus, Silver Vine, Satin Pothos

Botanical name: Scindapsus pictus
Synonym: Scindapsus argyraeus
Family: Araceae
Common names: Satin Pothos, Silver Vine, Silver Pothos, Silver Philodendron

Description

Scindapsus pictus commonly called Satin Pothos, Silver Vine, Silver Pothos or Silver Philodendron are evergreen climbing plants which bear matte green leaves covered in silver blotches with a satin sheen.

Satin Pothos are easy-care plants that easily adapt to a wide range of growing conditions. The species name, 'pictus' means 'painted', in reference to the variegation on the leaves.

The plants are low maintenance and generally pest resistant. If kept away from draughts, direct sunlight and with moderate watering, Silver Vine will thrive.

Silver Philodendron can be treated as a trailer or climber, reaching up to 10 ft or more under good conditions. The stems can be allowed to trail from a hanging basket or wall display.

Origin

Scindapsus pictus are native to India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and the Philippines..

Varieties

There are many varieties of Scindapsus pictus which include the common ones like Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus', Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' and Scindapsus pictus 'Silvery Ann' and some rare varieties like Scindapsus pictus 'Treubii Dark Form' and Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Princess' among others.

Toxicity

According to ASPCA, Scindapsus pictus are toxic to both humans and pets. The plants contains Calcium oxalate crystals.

If ingested it causes burning and swelling in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Keep Silver Vine from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishap.

Where to Buy

Silver Pothos are available online on Etsy. Purchase Satin Pothos online from Etsy.

Scindapsus pictus, Satin Pothos, Silver Vine

Scindapsus pictus Care Indoors

Scindapsus pictus (Silver Vine) prefers medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, moderately warm and humid conditions 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

Scindapsus pictus grow best in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight. Some Satin Pothos can tolerate lower light but the variegation will fade in poor light.

The more variegated types require more light to maintain the variegation. The plants can also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.

Watering

Water Scindapsus pictus liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Scindapsus pictus thrives in an average warmth within the range of 15-29⁰C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for the plant.

Keep the Silver Pothos away from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop due to sudden changes in the temperatures.

Scindapsus pictus have no need for high air humidity. Average room humidity is ideal for these plants. However, if the air is too dry the plant will respond with brown-black and shrivelled leaf tips.

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Regularly damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestation.

Fertilizer

Feed Scindapsus pictus every 4 weeks during the growing period with a balanced, liquid fertilizer for lush growth.

Do not feed the Silver Vine during the cold season as growth at this time is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Repotting

Repot Scindapsus pictus during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound; when the roots grow through the drainage holes.

Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and death of the plant.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Scindapsus pictus should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Potting mixes designed for aroids are ideal for the plant. Quality potting mixes are available online on Etsy. Purchase aroids potting mix from Etsy.

Pruning

Pruning Scindapsus pictus is easy as it involves frequent removal of any dead foliage. Pinch off the growing tips to encourage bushyness and prevent the plant from becoming leggy.

Cut back the stems at the beginning of the growing season if they become straggly to rejuvenate growth. The foliage emanating from the pruning can be used to propagate new plants.

Propagation

Silver Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings. The cuttings can be rooted in soil or in water.

How to root Scindapsus pictus stem cuttings in soil

Take a 4-6 in. stem cutting from a healthy Silver Vine. Ensure the cutting has at least two leaf nodes and some aerial roots.

Strip off the lower leaves and insert 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 Silver Philodendron to be well established before transplanting, after which you can begin routine care.

How to root Scindapsus pictus stem cuttings in water

Take a 4-6 in. stem cutting from a healthy Silver Vine. Ensure the cutting has at least 2-3 leaf nodes and some aerial roots.

Strip off the lower leaves and place it in a jar of plain water, ensure at least one leaf node is covered in water as well as the aerial roots.

Place the set up in a well-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days.

Rooting Silver Vine in water should take about 3-4 weeks. When the roots are about 2 in. long, start acclimatizing them to grow in soil.

Acclimatizing 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.

The new Satin Pothos is ready for transplanting when the roots have grown to about 4 in. long after which you can begin routine care.

Scindapsus pictus Problems

Scindapsus pictus (Silver Pothos) growing problems include yellow leaves, leaf drop, rotting, brown leaf edges and spots, curled leaves, shrivelled and pests among others. Continue reading for more details on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Pests

Common pests in Scindapsus pictus are spider mites and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests.

Yellow leaves, leaf drop, rotting stems

Scindapsus pictus yellow leaves, leaf drop and rotting stems is an indication of root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil.

Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the disease.

Silver Vine cannot tolerate soggy soil. Always, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Read on how to treat root-rot disease in houseplants.

Brown leaf edges, brown leaf spots

Scindapsus pictus brown leaf edges and brown leaf spots are caused by too dry soil due to underwatering (too little soil moisture).

Water the Silver Pothos liberally to maintain the soil moist while allowing the top 2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings. Never allow the root ball to dry out completely.

Curled, limp leaves and rotting stems

Scindapsus pictus curled, limp leaves and rotting stems are caused by sudden changes in the air temperature due to draughts.

Silver Philodendrons are extremely sensitive to sudden drops in temperature. Keep the plant away from cold draughts to maintain an average room warmth.

Brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips

Scindapsus pictus brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips are caused by four possible reasons. One possible reason is too dry air (low air humidity) or too little moisture in the air.

To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

The second possible reason for brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips in Silver Pothos is soggy soil. The plants do not like to sit in soggy soil and they respond with brown-black leaf tips.

Repot the Scindapsus pictus in fresh soil. Ensure the soil is draining properly and the pot has a drainage hole.

Also, do not leave water standing in the saucer after watering; discard any water that remains on the saucer after watering.

The third possible reason for brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips in Scindapsus pictus is underwatering.

If there isn't enough moisture in the soil for plant to take up, the leaf tips are the first to suffer. They begin to dry up, turning brown and later black.

Water the plant when the top 2 in. of soil dry out; avoid delayed watering.

The fourth possible reason for brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips in Satin Pothos is overfeeding or accumulation of chemicals in the soil.

Too much fertilizer in the soil will cause damage to the roots which means that the plant cannot take up adequate water from the soil.

Brown tips is the first sign that the roots of Scindapsus pictus are in distress. Regularly flush out any excess chemicals from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.