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Scindapsus pictus

Satin Pothos: Easy-Care, Trailing Plant

The satin Pothos is a beautiful plant with unique, heart-shaped leaves and silvery splotches. Easy to care for, they are a perfect choice for someone new to indoor gardening.

Published on 13 August, 2023 by Oliver Rouane-Williams
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Other names for this plant...

Silk Pothos Silver Pothos Silver satin Pothos Silver Ann

About Satin Pothos

The satin Pothos is a fairly easy plant to grow in bright indirect light. They do not need special potting soil, nor do they require frequent fertilizing. The satin Pothos is an excellent choice for someone looking for a beautiful, easy-to-care-for plant.

A plant with aerial roots, you can have your satin Pothos grow up a trellis or down as a hanging plant, making them one of the most versatile houseplants to style.

Botanical Name

The scientific name for the satin Pothos is Scindapsus pictus in the Arum family.

Plant Type

Satin pothos plants are slow-growing evergreen tropical vines. In the wild, it grows in warm, tropical climates. Its lush leaves stay green year-round and can feature white of silver patterns, and aerial roots help it climb high into tree canopies.

Origin

The satin Pothos is native to Southeast Asia, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Java, the Philippines, Sumatra, Borneo, and Sulawesi.

Appearance

The satin photos houseplant has a beautiful, unique look. The firm, heart-shaped leaves are matte green with silver blotches that shimmer and appear reflective. Sometimes the silver patches are referred to as “splashes.”

The dark green leaves and unique silver variegation is what sets the satin Pothos apart from its cousin, the golden Pothos.

Unlike golden Pothos, satin Pothos is characterized by silver or white variegated patterns.

Types Of satin Pothos

  • Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus'

  • Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica'

  • Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Lady'

  • Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Splash'

  • Scindapsus pictus 'Silvery Ann'

  • Scindapsus pictus 'Treubii Dark Form'

  • Scindapsus pictus 'Treubii Moonlight'

Satin Pothos Styling 

The satin Pothos is a versatile plant that can be displayed in many ways. A favorite is a simple terra-cotta pot, but the satin Pothos can also be planted in a hanging basket or a terrarium. You can also take advantage of the plant’s aerial roots and train it to grow up a trellis or moss pole.

Trailing satin Pothos also looks beautiful grouped with other plants, such as mother-in-law's tongue for height or Monstera for more tropical flair.

Small satin Pothos plants can be placed in stylish pots or allowed to trail in a hanging basket.

Light

Light conditions for the satin Pothos include bright, indirect light. East or west-facing windows are best to ensure they have plenty of bright light.

Water

One of the most important care tips is to not give a silver Pothos too much water. This plant is very water sensitive and does best if the soil dries out between waterings. The top two inches of soil should be dry before the plant receives more water. To mimic its humid native environment, it does enjoy misting with room-temperature water between waterings.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for satin pathos is 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. These tropical plants are not frost tolerant and will not thrive in homes below 65 degrees.

Humidity

Satin Pothos prefer 40-50% relative humidity. If you have dry air in the winter, you can place a pebble tray under the planter or use a humidifier.

Soil

A standard, well-draining soil mix will work fine for your satin Pothos. In addition to having an excellent potting mix, the pot you plant in should have drainage holes. Soil should include either peat moss, pine bark, or perlite to ensure good drainage.

If you are repotting your satin Pothos, note the size of the root ball and choose a pot a few inches larger than the old one, as this plant does not like to be root bound.

Pruning

While the satin Pothos is a slow-growing plant, the vines can quickly get out of control during the growing season.

There are two types of pruning. You can trim the vines to shorten them to the desired length at any time. If you hope to encourage branching for a fuller look, snip off the vine just below a node, and the plant will send out multiple new leaves.

Use clean, sharp scissors when pruning to minimize distress to the plant. 

Feed

The satin pathos only needs fertilizer during growing periods. Active growth when the plant produces new leaves occurs during spring and summer. Any balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer will work.

Height & Growth

Although the satin Pothos can get 10 feet high in the wild, they typically are around three feet when grown indoors.

Toxicity

This plant is toxic. Ingestion can cause oral pain, mouth swelling, drooling, vomiting, or trouble swallowing.

Pet

Satin Pothos is toxic to pets.

Common Problems 

  • Insufficient Humidity: This tropical plant needs 40-50% humidity, so consider using a humidifier if your home has low humidity. 

  • Over-watering: The most common problem of this plant is root rot resulting from overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure your plant has good drainage to prevent soggy soil and that you water sparingly. A sign of over-watering is yellow leaves and must brown spots.

  • Pests: Pests that can bother this plant include spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, whitefly and more. It is essential to give indoor plants a good once-over periodically. If one plant has bugs, separate it from the rest of your plants to prevent the infestation from spreading. Treat pests with a safe insecticide or neem oil.

  • Underwatering: When your plant does not have enough water, you will notice the leaves are wilted or has brown leaf tips. Leaves curling in on themselves is another sign.

  • Wrong Light: Too little or too much direct sunlight can be a problem. These plants need plenty of bright, indirect sun, but the harsh direct sun can burn them.

Leggy satin Pothos can be pruned and the stem cuttings used for propagation.

How To Propagate Satin Pothos

Propagation of a satin Pothos plant is straightforward. You can cut a vine with healthy leaves right below a node with clean scissors. This means you are including the node in your cut, which is important because the new roots grow out of the node.

Remove any leaves from the bottom of the cutting and put the cutting in room-temperature water. The jar should be placed in a room with bright, indirect light. As the water evaporates and gets dirty, refill and change it.

You should have a few inches of roots within a couple of weeks. Once you have at least three inches of root, you can plant the cutting into a pot with well-draining potting mix. You have a baby satin Pothos!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average height for satin pothos?

When grown indoors as a houseplant, they typically get 3-4 feet tall.

Do satin Pothos produce flowers?

Although these plants do flower in the wild, they do not flower as houseplants.

Do satin Pothos purify the air?

Yes, all types of Pothos are considered excellent air purifiers.

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