Caring For Silver Pothos Plant: Growing Scindapsus Pictus Exotica
The Silver Pothos is the common name for the Scindapsus Pictus Exotica plant. These indoor plants are known for their large, light green heart-shaped leaves with silvery streaks and is loved for their trailing vines and matte leaves.
Contrary to its common names, the plant isn’t a Pothos but a Scindapsus, as the botanical name shows. The word “Pictus” is Latin for “that which is painted,” probably due to the plant’s leaves, which look like an artist’s work.
It originates in Southern Asia and belongs to the Araceae family. The word “Scindapsus” is pronounced as “skin-DAP-sus” while the word “Pictus” is pronounced as “pik-TUS.”
It’s a perennial vine that can grow up to 10′ feet when mature. Its common names are:
- Silver Pothos
- Silk Pothos
- Satin Pothos
- Silver Philodendron
The Silver Pothos growth and care are easy to achieve with the cooperation of a few simple rules:
Scindapsus Pictus Care
Size and Growth
The Silver Pothos is easy to grow but must be appropriately warm and watered. They will grow up to 3′ feet in indoor pots and up to 10′ feet in outside conditions.
When growing them outside, you have to take them inside during the colder days since they don’t grow well in the frost.
The plant is a climber but can also hang from a pot.
Flowering and Fragrance
The plant may not produce flowers or fruit at all. If it does, small flowers appear during the summer season but aren’t its most significant feature.
The flowers are green in color and some tiny berries may follow.
Light and Temperature
Scindapsus Pictus Exotica doesn’t survive bright, direct sunlight. It prefers indirect light throughout the year and may survive low light conditions.
When growing in low light, you may notice the silver areas become less vibrant. You may also witness the growth of smaller leaves. When this happens, move the plant to brighter yet still indirect lighting conditions.
The Silver Pothos prefers warm, tropical temperatures like the climate of South Asia. Thus, you have to protect it from cold drafts during cold days.
The minimum temperature should be around 60° degrees Fahrenheit. It’s best to place your Silver Pothos in warm conditions between 65° – 85° degrees Fahrenheit. Always protect the plant from sudden temperature changes.
Watering and Feeding
You’ll need to check constantly the top layer of your soil for moisture. Water whenever the uppermost soil is dry using room temperature water. If the top of the soil is damp, wait for a couple of days before checking again.
The plants may need watering around twice a week during the summer months and less often in winter. Yet, the frequency depends on other factors like the porosity of the pot and soil density.
Don’t drench the soil, as the vine may wilt if given too much water. The plant can tolerate being under-watered but might not handle over-watering as much. The goal is to keep the soil around the roots consistently damp.
Allowing your soil to dry out between waterings is helpful for your roots, or they become soggy and more susceptible to disease and fungi.
NOTE: Following the watering practices for Pothos Plants is a good guideline.
The Silver Pothos is a slow grower and won’t need much fertilizing. Dilute a houseplant fertilizer, feed your plant once a month during the growing season, and stop feeding during winter.If your plant has yellow leaves it is probably hungry and in need of fertilizer.
Soil and Transplanting
Getting the right soil mix for this plant isn’t challenging. A nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix will work great. If the soil doesn’t drain well, the saturated, soggy soil conditions will stunt the plant’s growth.
Check when watering if the water takes a while to drain, in which case you should aerate the soil. If the soil drains too fast, add sphagnum peat moss.
Transferring your plant into a larger pot (with a drainage hole) gives the roots more room to grow. It’s best to transplant during the spring when the plant outgrows its container.
If you want a plastic nursery box, consider the cachepot, which is a great alternative.
Grooming and Maintenance
This plant seldom requires pruning. It’s best to prune in early spring. Check for and remove dead leaves, trim brown leaf tips, and damaged stems.
You may also prune for propagation, get rid of vines that grew too far, or encourage new growth.
It’s crucial to avoid soggy soil; however, humidity is a plus for these tropical plants.
How To Propagate The Scindapsus Pictus Exotica
Here are the steps of propagating your plant:
- Trim off a stem below the node
- Put the piece in a transparent water container
- Wait a few weeks until the roots appear
- Plant in a new pot with a fresh potting mix
Scindapsus Pictus Diseases or Pests
Disease and pests don’t usually affect the houseplant. It can be prone to root fungus if overwatered with waterlogged soil. Avoid this by making sure your soil is well aerated and leaving the top of the earth to dry out between waterings.
More on Controlling Pothos Root Rot
Scales or spider mites can also attack the plant. You’ll need to react fast if you notice this because they may get transferred to other pots in your house. Consider using neem oil if the problem gets out of hand.
Scindapsus Pictus Toxicity
You need to know that this plant is toxic to cats and dogs and can cause health concerns to your fur buddies, such as vomiting and eating difficulties. Also, it may cause skin problems if ingested by humans.
Scindapsus Pictus Invasiveness
The plant will grow in tropical climates and can climb and spread in tropical and subtropical regions.
Conclusion
The Scindapsus Pictus Exotica is a beautiful plant with large waxy leaves that have silver spots on them. It’s easy to grow and propagate them. It’s also easy to maintain and care for them.
Also, they can be aggressive growers under the right conditions.
Published at Mon, 08 Nov 2021 05:28:00 -0500