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Scindapsus pictus

Common name: Satin pothos · Silver vine

Scindapsus pictus is a climbing evergreen vine native to Southeast Asia, grown for its heart-shaped leaves dusted with silvery blotches. Despite its common name it is not a true pothos, though it shares the same easygoing, vining habit. It is one of the most popular trailing houseplants in the world.

Fun facts

  • The silvery markings are blotches of variegation in the leaf's outer layer.
  • Popular cultivars include 'Argyraeus', 'Exotica', and 'Silvery Ann'.
  • It can be trained up a moss pole or left to trail from a hanging basket.

Care summary

Sun Low to bright indirect light
Water Let top few cm of soil dry out
Soil Airy, well-draining aroid mix
Hardiness Zones 10–12
Mature height Vines up to 3 m (10 ft)
Pet safe Toxic if ingested
Difficulty Easy
Propagation Stem cuttings root easily in water or moist soil. Take a cutting below a node with at least one or two leaves, remove any leaf that would sit under water or soil, and pot up once roots are a few centimeters long.

Make your own Satin pothos · Silver vine profile

Common problems

    • Let the top half of soil dry
    • Repot into loose, chunky mix
    • Reduce watering in winter
    • Check soil before each watering
    • Ensure the pot drains freely
    • Trim yellowed leaves at the base
    • Move to brighter indirect light
    • Prune long bare stems back
    • Rotate the pot weekly
    • Wipe stems with soapy water
    • Dab scale with alcohol swabs
    • Isolate from other houseplants