Scindapsus pictus trails thick, matte, heart-shaped leaves dusted with silver markings. It is sold almost everywhere as Satin Pothos or Silver Pothos, which is misleading, because it is not an Epipremnum and not a Pothos.
The differences are easy to see once you know them. Scindapsus leaves are thicker and matte where a Pothos is thinner and glossy, and the leaf attaches to the vine off-centre.
Light
Scindapsus pictus grows best in medium to bright indirect light.
Too little light
The silver markings fade and the vines run long with wide gaps between leaves.
Too much light
Direct sun scorches the leaves and bleaches the silver to a dull white.
Watering
Water when the top half of the soil is dry. The thick leaves store water, so this plant wants to dry out considerably more than a true Pothos does.
On average:
- Spring & summer: once every 1-2 weeks
- Autumn & winter: once every 3 weeks
Signs of overwatering
- Leaves yellow and drop
- Stems go black near the soil
- Soil stays wet for over a week
Signs of underwatering
- Leaves curl inward along the edges
- Leaves feel soft rather than firm
Humidity and temperature
Average household humidity is fine. Keep it between 18°C and 27°C (65-80°F).
Soil and repotting
Soil
A well-draining mix with bark and perlite.
Repotting
Every 2 years in spring, or when roots come out of the drainage holes.
Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser every 6 to 8 weeks through spring and summer. Nothing in winter.
Pruning and grooming
Cut any vine just above a leaf and it branches below the cut, which keeps the plant full rather than straggly.
Cuttings root in water in two to three weeks. Pot them back into the parent pot to thicken it up.
Give it a moss pole if you want larger leaves. Like most climbing aroids, the leaves get bigger when the plant has something to climb.
Common problems
Fading silver markings
Not enough light. Move it brighter.
Long vines with few leaves
Same cause. Cut them back and move the plant.
Yellow leaves
Overwatering. This plant wants to dry out more than people expect.
Curling leaves
Underwatering, or dry air.