Scindapsus Pictus (skin-DAP-sus, PIK-tus), also called Epipremnum Pictum is a flowering species in the plant family Araceae. The popular common pothos is Epipremnum aureum.
This evergreen plant is indigenous to Southeast Asia including Thailand, Bangladesh, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and the Philippines.
The flowering climber has been the winner of the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
The cultivar has a common variety – Scindapsus pictus with a few common names, which are as follows:
- Satin Pothos
- Silk Pothos
- Silver Pothos
- Silver Philodendron or Philodendron Silver
Other members of the Araceae family include:
Satin Pothos Plant Care
Size and Growth
Pictus is an easy-to-grow house plant as long as it is provided with the right amount of warmth and water.
The tropical Satin Pothos plant heightens up to 3’ feet when grown indoors, but is capable to grow up to 10’ feet tall when planted outdoors.
Under ideal growing conditions, the evergreen climber produces dark green leaves with handsome variegation.
The large, heart-shaped leaves have striking silvery grey splotches on them, which gives the plant a shiny appeal.
- NOTE: The Scindapsus Pictus ‘Argyraeus’ variety has smaller leaves with clearer silvery-white markings and a silvery margin. Argyraeus enjoys bright indirect light.
- The cultivar Scindapsus Pictus Exotica has lance-shaped leaves with large silver areas.
- Scindapsus Pictus ‘Silvery Anne’ is a cultivar with more silver variegation.
- The popular Scindapsus Pictus ‘Silver Lady’ cultivar has leaves with lots of silver variegation.
Flowering and Fragrance
Flowers are an insignificant feature of satin pathos. However, the plant can produce tiny inflorescences, known as a spadix, in the summer.
These flowers usually appear in a bright green color and are often followed by small berries.
NOTE: Flowers and fruits rarely show up on Scindapsus.
Light and Temperature
Satin Scindapsus prefers bright indirect light, all year round.
Full direct sun damages the leaves of the plant and results in the loss of variegation.
When growing indoors, make sure not to place the plant near a window, where the plant may receive direct sunlight.
Place Pictus in a spot where it easily receives indirect lighting.
The flowering Satin pothos best grows in tropical temperatures so it is ideal to protect the plant from harsh wintry cold.
Pictus Pothos is intolerant to frost so make sure the temperature does not fall below 59° degrees Fahrenheit (15° C).
Offer average to warm temperatures, ideally ranging from 65° to 85°degrees Fahrenheit (18° – 29° C).
Watering and Feeding
Be careful when watering Scindapsus as the silver vine may wilt easily if given too much water. It’s recommended to water with room temperature water.
Check the soil to assess the quantity of water the plant needs.
Water Satin Pothos when the soil is slightly dry at the top, but moist around the bottom.
Make sure the soil isn’t bone dry or your Scindapsus Pictus plant may start to wither away.
The plant is tolerant of under-watering to some extent but less tolerant of overwatering.
When fertilizing the plant, use well-balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer to supply nutrients once a month during the growing season.
Soil Type and Transplanting
- Scindapsus is not fussy about the potting soil but needs good drainage.
- Any great quality houseplant potting mix works fine.
- Make sure to choose a nutrient-rich and well-draining potting mix.
- Transplanting is ideally done in spring when the plant outgrows its pot/container.
- Use a pot/container an inch or two bigger than the current pot.
- Make sure to use a pot with proper drainage holes.
- In this way, the plant can hold excessive water easily.
- A decorative cachepot is a great alternative to a plastic nursery pot.
Grooming and Maintenance
An important maintenance tip for the satin pothos is to avoid soggy soil. Wet soil is often the result of overwatering. However, high humidity is important for these good looking tropical plants.
In winter, bring the plant indoors and provide ideal room temperatures for the desired growth.
Wash and clean your satin pothos leaves monthly with water, not oil and remove any withered leaves. Older leaves will drop and sporadic pruning will benefit the plant as it encourages new growths.
How To Propagate Scindapsus Pothos
- Propagate the plant by taking a tip or stem cuttings in spring or summer.
- Place a 4” inch cutting into a well-moist potting mix.
- The cuttings root in about a month. Look for new roots to sprout.
- Until then, keep the plant in part sun and the soil well-drained.
Satin Scindapsus Pests and Diseases
Generally, the indoor plant is pest and disease-free. The plant is occasionally attacked by plant scale, mealybugs or spider mites.
However, the plant is prone to root rot if overwatered. Underwatered plants may display brown leaf tips. In humid environments, plants may experience leaf spot.
Is The Scindapsus Toxic or Poisonous?
Scindapsus pictus is toxic to pets including dogs and cats and causes health concerns such as mouth pain, vomiting, appetite loss, and eating difficulties.
If ingested by humans, it may cause skin irritation.
Is The Scindapsus Plant Invasive?
In frost-free and humid climates, the plant is invasive.
The vining plant spreads aggressively mostly in tropical or subtropical regions.
Scindapsus Plant Uses
Like many tropicals the Scindapsus satin pothos has no season of rest and grows year-round. It is always attractive, but do not expect to see any flowers. It is a fine plant for a warm living room with indirect light or grown in a hanging basket.
Satin pothos has a trailing vine growth habit used for decorating walls and growing in hanging baskets.
If space is tight Scindapsus can also grow up, around and cover a moss totem providing attractive and sturdy support for the aerial roots to attach.
These stakes can be found in garden centers and online. The Satin pothos will need to help to attach the stems in the totem pole in the beginning. But soon the plant will find its own way and cling with no help.
NOTE: Keep the moss constantly moist to provide the extra humidity this tropical likes.
Owing to its large, oval leaves, the valuable plant acts as a vivarium where dart frogs prefer laying their eggs.