Satin pothos

Identification and origin

Scindapsus pictus belongs to the arum family, Araceae, along with philodendrons and pothos (Epipremnum aureum), with which it is often compared. Despite the common name satin pothos, it is not a true pothos: its leaves are broader and it grows much more slowly. It is native to the tropical regions of Bangladesh, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and the Philippines. The species name pictus means “painted” and refers to the markings on its leaves.

In the wild it is an evergreen vine that climbs tree trunks, clinging with small rootlets, and reaches up to 10 ft tall. Indoors the plant usually grows 18 in – 3 ft tall, and up to 5 ft in a greenhouse after several years. It can be trained up a stake or allowed to trail from a hanging basket.

The juvenile leaves, 3–4 in long, are oval with a heart-shaped base and smooth edges. They are matte green to dark green and mottled with silvery gray blotches that give them a satin look. The undersides are paler and unmarked. On a mature plant, the leaves can stay entire or become pinnately lobed. The flowers, a small spathe around a spadix, are insignificant and almost never appear indoors; on plants grown outdoors in tropical climates they show up in summer and are followed by small berries.

The most common cultivars are ‘Argyraeus’, with small dark green leaves finely speckled and edged in silver; ‘Exotica’, with heart-shaped leaves heavily splashed with shimmering silver; and ‘Silvery Ann’ (or ‘Silvery Anne’), with lance-shaped light green leaves covered in large silver patches. In warm regions where pothos escapes from gardens and becomes invasive, this slow-growing relative is suggested as an alternative for hanging baskets.

Light

Give it bright but filtered light near a sunny window, screened from direct sun by a sheer curtain. It does not tolerate direct sunlight, which damages the foliage. Its trailing habit makes it a good fit for hanging baskets placed near a window.

Watering

Keep the potting mix lightly moist during the growing season, but never soggy: this plant tolerates overwatering less well than pothos. Before watering, touch the mix: if the surface is still damp, wait. When the top layer is dry, water moderately until water runs out of the drainage hole, then empty the saucer.

Outside the growing season, water sparingly. Watch the leaves: yellowing leaves often signal too much water, while curling leaves usually point to too little. Always check the root ball before adjusting, because both soggy and bone-dry soil can weaken the plant.

Potting mix

Use a peat-free, loam-based potting mix that is rich in organic matter, slightly acidic, and well drained, so it holds some moisture without becoming waterlogged. The pot must have drainage holes: in a poorly drained mix, the roots rot.

During the growing season, feed once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Stop feeding for the rest of the year.

Temperature

It is happiest between 64–84 °F. It does not like cooler air, so do not let it drop below 64 °F, and keep it away from cold air currents, air conditioning vents, and heating vents. It cannot tolerate frost. In the ground it can only be grown in USDA zones 11 and 12, in partial shade and in fertile, moist, acidic, well-drained soil.

Repotting

Repot when roots grow out of the drainage holes or the root ball is completely filled with roots, usually every one or two years. Choose a pot only slightly larger, with drainage holes, and fresh, well-drained potting mix.

Pruning

No pruning is required. Pinch the stem tips to keep the plant compact and full, and shorten stems that grow too long in a hanging basket. The pieces you cut off can be used as cuttings.

Propagation

The plant is propagated from stem cuttings. Take sections that each include at least one node, the point where a leaf attaches to the stem, since that is where the roots will form. The cuttings root either in a glass of water or directly in a light potting mix kept barely moist. Keep them in the same conditions as the parent plant: warmth, bright filtered light, and a mix that is never soggy. Once the roots are well developed, cuttings rooted in water are potted up in a well-drained mix.

Common problems

• Yellow leaves: usually too much water.
• Curling leaves: too little water.
• Root rot: soggy or poorly drained potting mix.
• Scorched or faded leaves: direct sun.
• Scale, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips: check the undersides of the leaves and the stems.
• Leaf spot and gray mold (botrytis): remove affected leaves.

This plant is more prone to pests and diseases than pothos. The same symptom can have several causes: before acting, check the light, the moisture of the mix, the temperature, and the condition of the roots.

Toxicity

The plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, as well as to people. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or swallowing it causes irritation, pain, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, heavy drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting (except in horses). The sap can also irritate the skin and eyes, so wear gloves when handling it. Keep it out of reach of children and pets, and if any part is swallowed, contact a veterinarian or a poison control center.