Give your bookshelves an instant facelift with Satin Pothos, an elegant easy care trailing plant.
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Find out how to care for your Satin Pothos with some top tips from Helen Lockwood in this video.
Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) is cultivated for its flamboyant, heart-shaped matte green leaves, which are speckled with silvery-white splotches and edged with a thin silver margin. Pictus stems from the Latin for 'painted' and, true to its name this popular trailing plant has plenty of decorative appeal, whether it's adding some glamour to a hanging basket or flair to lacklustre shelves.
Though the Satin Pothos is more compact than its cousin Epipremnum aureum, given time and the right conditions it can still grow up to a metre long. But you don't need to worry about it crowding out your favourite books, the Satin Pothos is a slow grower. This evergreen twiner belongs to the Araceae (or Aroid) family and, once you've nailed the light and humidity levels, is a relatively easy houseplant to look after.
Bear in mind that Satin Pothos is considered toxic so keep away from pets and young children.
Add this glitzy foliage to your urban jungle today.
Satin Pothos vs Silver Pothos
This plant is well known by the names Satin Pothos, Scindapsus pictus or Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus'. Additionally, you might also see it being sold as Silver Pothos, Silver Vine, Silver Cloud and Silk Pothos.
The Satin Pothos is sometimes mistakenly referred to as another beautiful trailer, the Philodendron Silver, which, confusingly, is not a Philodendron but a different variety of the same species.
Just to throw another spanner in the works, the common name Satin Pothos references this plant's old classification in the Epipremnum genus. It has since been moved to the genus Scindapsus but the common name has stuck.
How to care for Satin Pothos
Light: A well-lit room out of direct sunlight will do. As a tropical plant originally found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the Satin Pothos is used to clambering up tree trunks or creeping along the forest floor. Therefore it can adapt to low light conditions.
Soil: Plant Satin Pothos in a peat-free all purpose houseplant potting mix.
Water: The soil should be moist but not soggy. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings and reduce watering in winter.
Humdity: The Satin Pothos enjoys a regular misting. This humidity-loving plant would work well in a bathroom.
Common Satin Pothos problems
Curling leaves: It's not the end of the world if your Satin Pothos leaves are curling. Limp, curling leaves could be a reaction to a sudden drop in temperature. Satin Pothos is particularly sensitive to draughts so try to keep the temperature between 18-29 degrees.
Brown leaf tips: A sign the atmosphere is too dry for your Satin Pothos. Up your misting game, add a pebble tray or invest in a humidifier.
Brown spots on leaves: Too much humidity can lead to Bacterial Leaf Spot. Read more about this disease here:
Leaves reverting: Too little light can cause variegation to fade. Move your plant to a brighter position but keep out of direct sunlight as this will scorch the leaves. Find out more about how to care for variegated plants here:
Yellow, drooping leaves: A sign of overwatering. Find out how to save an overwatered Satin Pothos here:
How to propagate Satin Pothos
Satin Pothos propagation is easy. When pruning your plant, making cuttings of around 4-6 inches in length. Remove the lower leaves and pop the stem in a glass of water or propagation station. When the roots sprout transfer the cutting to soil. Find an in depth guide to node propagation here:
Satin Pothos bonus care tips
- In spring and summer, fertilise once a month.
- Don't let the plant sit in water, use the excess to water your other plants.
- Make sure the water you are using is at room temperature.
- Push aerial roots into compost or buy or make a moss pole for them to hook into.
Satin Pothos varieties
Where to buy Satin Pothos
Got the perfect spot for this tantalising trailing plant? You can find Satin Pothos Plants to buy now on Candide
