reckon for an easy - tending , vining houseplant to add to your home but do n’t desire to go with ho-hum ol’ Pothos ? No worries , there are plenty of other tropical trailing houseplants out there .
One of my favorite is Scindapsus pictus , also known as satin Pothos ( or even more confusingly , silverish Philodendron — but I ’ll get into that more below ) . Its velvety leaves with silver variegation make this one a beautiful addition to any plant collection .
Keep reading for everything you need to make out about Scindapsus pictus care and how to grow this democratic houseplant indoors !
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About Scindapsus pictus
Description
The satin Pothos or silver Philodendron ( Scindapsus pictus ) is a vining plant life . You ’ll see it sold in two different forms : either climbing , with the use of a moss pole , or hanging , with its long stems spilling downwards .
I ’m not surprised by the fact that this coinage has been realize plenty of popularity as a houseplant in recent years . It ’s pretty and pleasing to look at , with slightly satiny foliage and dark green colouration that ’s interspersed with silver variegation . No wonder they bid it “ pictus ” , which mean “ painted ” in Latin !
Depending on the cultivar and the way the plant is originate , Scindapsus pictus leaf can be up to 15 inch across .
As with other similar vining plant ( likeRhaphidophora tetraspermaandSyngonium podophyllum ) , the foliage will become larger if you let the industrial plant climb ( its natural and favorite way to arise ) and stay low if you get it hang ( preferable for many houseplant partisan because it ’s well-to-do to maintain and make quite a argument ) .
Natural habitat
Scindapsus pictus is of course found in Asia , where it has a pretty wide range , pop up as far west as India and as far east as the Philippines . It occurs in tropic rainforests , where it practice tall tree as support to facilitate it climb towards the more brightly - illume timber canopy .
Although you almost never see it arise like this in the home , in its natural home ground , the satin Pothos actually use its diminished but powerful aerial root to produce in a shingle way . This means the foliage are very tightly pressed against the tree torso , similar to something like Monstera dubia or Rhaphidophora hayi , two common shingling houseplant you may have heard of .
In areas where trees are lacking , Scindapsus pictus may also end up vining across the wood floor in search of a surface to go up .
Scindapsus vs. Epipremnum
Let ’s cover the bit that has confused houseplant enthusiasts around the world ever since Scindapsus pictus commence to soar in popularity a few years ago .
What in the world is up with the designation of this plant ? !
As we ’ve discussed , common names for this Aroid include satin Pothos and silver Philodendron .
But let ’s sort out things up : as decent as these name go , they ’re technically incorrect . Scindapsus pictus is neither aPothos(vining plants known scientifically as Epipremnum aureum ) nor aPhilodendron(another genus of tropic tracking plants ) . They seem a lot likewise , and they take form part of the same syndicate , but they ’re not the same plant life .
You may also have seen the turnaround . once in a while , the popular gilt Pothos ( Epipremnum aureum ) is labeled something like ‘ Epipremnum Scindapsus ’ or even ‘ Scindapsus aureum ’ . Not right ! An Epipremnum is an Epipremnum , and a Scindapsus is a Scindapsus . But … how do you tell the difference ?
Although these plants look quite similar to the untrained eye , it ’s not difficult to find out how to order them asunder . The easiest way to do so is by count at the leave of absence .
Scindapsus pictus is known for its slimly velvety leaf grain , while Pothos leaves are placid and sometimes even lightly lustrous . to boot , variegation ( mottling ) on Scindapsus go forth is silvery in colour , while on a golden Pothos , as the name suggests , it ’s yellowish or ointment .
Scindapsus vs. heartleaf Philodendron
Another common houseplant that ’s often bedevil with Scindapsus pictus is the heartleaf Philodendron , scientifically do it as Philodendron hederaceum ( although it sometimes goes by its synonym , Philodendron scandens ) . call back , despite the fact that Scindapsus is often referred to as fluent Philodendron , it ’s not a Philodendron at all .
Although both are vining plants , you should be capable to state these two apart by looking at the foliage , just as with Pothos .
As the name ‘ heart-leaf ’ suggests , the Philo ’s leaves are clearly heart - work , and they ’re pointier than any of the Scindapsus cultivars ’ foliage . They ’re also shiny rather than satiny , and they lack the silver splodge you ’ll see on Scindapsus . Any diversification will be yellow or cream - slanted .
Did you know?Philodendron hederaceum itself is sometimes confused with another Philo specie called Philodendron cordatum . Both are often referred to as heartleaf Philodendron , and they ’re very similar in looks . For now , just remember that if the scientific ( not common ) name cite ‘ Philodendron ’ , you ’re NOT dealing with a Scindapsus pictus .
Scindapsus pictus varieties
As with many other popular houseplant , Scindapsus pictus has been selectively cultivated by nurseries to produce all sorts of dissimilar - attend varieties . These are known as cultivar , and there are a estimable few you may come across in your local plant entrepot :
Did you know?Scindapsus pictus is n’t the only member of its genus often grown as a houseplant . Recently , its full cousin Scindapsus treubii has been bring in massive popularity . Check out S. treubii ‘ Sterling Silver ’ , ‘ Moonlight ’ , ‘ Dark Form ’ and other cultivars for more additions to your vining houseplant collection .
Where to corrupt Scindapsus pictus plants :
Caring for Scindapsus pictus
Light and temperature
spark lean to be relatively scarce in this plant ’s natural home ground due to taller trees blocking out the sun , which is the reason why it evolved to spring up its natural climbing outgrowth pattern in the first place .
In the home , this means it does n’t want stacks of light to expand . In fact , if you expose a satin Pothos to lineal sun without countenance it acclimate first , the leaves are likely to burn !
Although it ’s still a good idea to set your Scindapsus pictus close to a window , it ’s hunky-dory if it ’s not the brightest . If you do n’t have any windowpane space to spare , you could also weigh using a grow light . This species grow o.k. under stilted light , which is also one of the reason you ’ll see it used in office staff and mall sometimes .
Southeast Asiatic rainforests are pretty warm and humid environments . You do n’t need a greenhouse for a home if you ’d like to grow this houseplant , but it ’s important to deflect exposing it to cold . Keep it aside from drafty windows , ideally at a temperature of 59 ° F or up . Room temperature is fine .
Water and humidity
One of the skillful thing about Scindapsus pictus is that , although it likes its filth softly moist , it ’s not too fussy . I ca n’t recite you how often you should water yours , as that depends on factor like light , temperature , and the grime mix you ’re using , but fortunately it ’s soft enough to figure it out by yourself .
To see if your Scindapsus pictus call for a drink , mark how smashed or dry out the soil is . The easiest way is to just stick your finger’s breadth in the plantation owner : If the top level of soil feels dry , you may give your plant a crapulence . If it ’s still damp , hold off a slight longer to prevent etymon bunkum .
Your mileage may vary , but generally address , you ’ll in all likelihood end up water a footling more than once a week during the summer get months and about once every 10 to 12 days in winter .
As for humidity , although this mintage is a tropical , it should do fine in your menage unless things get really juiceless . If the humidity degree regularly drop below 40 percent , your houseplant in world-wide may benefit from the use of a humidifier .
Soil and planting
Like most Aroids , Scindapsus pictus will appreciate a relatively airy soil . The mixture should hold some moisture , but excess water needs to be able to debilitate freely . After all , although these plant like a drink , their roots become susceptible to moulder if they ’re constantly submerged .
If you have an Aroid grease intermixture on manus , you could expend that . If not , making your own satin Pothos dirt is as easy as mixing a normal houseplant potting grunge with around 20 percentperlite .
If you feel like the variety dry too quickly , add some coco coir or sphagnum moss ; if it stays wet for too long , try adding some fine orchid bark for better drainage .
When it comes to planting , as mentioned , you ’ve buzz off a few different choice . First and foremost , be sure to always use a plantation owner with a drainage trap . you could go for a hang pot if you like the “ falls ” look on a flora , or let your Scindapsus pictus climb a plant totem if you want it to grow tall and produce magnanimous leave of absence .
I have n’t tried this myself , but it ’s also potential to get a Scindapsus pictus to display its natural shingling growth practice . Supposedly , grow it in a high - humidity surroundings like a nursery and providing it with a slenderly holey surface to press onto helps .
Recommended Cartesian product for Scindapsus pictus works concern :
Fertilizing
If your Scindapsus pictus is chugging along nicely during the summertime growing season , you’re able to implement a normal fluent houseplant plant food on a monthly base to further boost its ontogenesis . They ’re not heavy feeders , but they do benefit from the software of some special food from time to metre .
Be certain not to use fertiliser if your plant is inactive ( during the winter months ) or not doing well . It wo n’t be able to take up the food , and they will end up damaging the beginning rather than stimulating growth .
Recommended fertiliser for Scindapsus pictus :
Pruning
Scindapsus pictus plants grown on a totem normally do n’t have to be pruned , except perhaps to remove the episodic bushed leaf .
If you have yours in a hanging planter , it can sometimes eventually start to look a little scarce . Taking carving and placing them back in the same pot can help with maintaining a full look .
Dividing or repotting
In most case , if you buy a silver Philodendron , it will consist of several rooted stems placed in the same planter . This stand for that , if you wish well , you may separate it into several plants .
However , this is n’t really commonly done . Most masses like a full look on their plant , and it ’s so easy to take prow cutting that partitioning is really not needed anyway .
As such , if your Scindapsus pictus outgrows its planter , it ’s usually preferable to just repot it . you’re able to do so during spring , moving up one pot size ; be indisputable to give your plant some fresh soil as well .
Propagating Scindapsus pictus
As bring up , propagate the vining Scindapsus pictus is a breeze . Even if you ’ve never propagated a houseplant before , you should be able to multiply your satin Pothos without issuing !
After all , each piece of stem with at least one center ( emergence node ) and a leaf or two can be rooted to create a whole young works .
To propagate your Scindapsus , snip one or more sections of at least around 3 to 4 inches off the end of a theme . get rid of the slip ’s bottom leaves and submerge part of the stem in water to root , or just pop it like a shot into some well - draining soil .
Keep light moist and you should hopefully see the first unexampled leaves seem in a few weeks , although it can be a little longer during winter .
Is Scindapsus pictus toxic to cats and dogs?
No favourite is going to drop dead as a result of nibbling a Scindapsus pictus leaf or two . Technically , though , the species is considered lightly toxic . It control microscopical calcium oxalate crystal that do irritation to the back talk , mouth , and throat . If you mean your furry friend has munched your satin Pothos , offer pile of piss and keep an eye out for any bump .
