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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.

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.

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.

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