How to Care for Satin Pothos (Scindapsus) - Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

Scindapsus plants are super tough houseplants, perfect for first-time plant parents or homes that don't get much light. They're low maintenance and can handle different growing conditions, like low light and being left alone for a while. There are several names for the plant - Scindapsus, Satin Pothos, Silk Pothos, and Spotted Ivy. They come in different varieties, including the classic S. pictus with its silvery speckled leaves. Other beautiful varieties are Scindapsus Treubii 'Moonlight' with lighter silvery tones and Scindapsus Treubii 'Black', known for its fark, almost black foliage.

Good to know! It is common to confuse Scindapsus plants with Pothos plants (Epipremnum). However, they are actually different plants.

As a member of the Araceae family, Satin Pothos enjoys climbing up tall trees and other objects to reach the sunlight in their natural habitat. As a result, they're great climbers inside too! You can give them a moss pole or trellis to climb or let them hang from shelves and hanging baskets. In either case, they'll thrive in your home and look great!

Satin Pothos Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Place your Scindapsus where it can receive bright, indirect light. Avoid intense sunlight, which can damage their leaves.
2. Water it only after the soil has dried half or completely. Let the soil dry out before watering to prevent root rot.
3. Every 3-4 weeks, mix liquid fertiliser into the water. This will give them the nutrients they need to thrive and keep them looking great.
4. Scindapsus prefers higher humidity levels but is not too fussy about it. It is best to keep the humidity level at over 40%, as too low a humidity level will result in brown or curling leaves.
5. If you want your plant to grow bushier, try pinching off some of its stems sometimes. This will encourage new growth and help your plant look fuller and healthier.
6. Don't worry if you see yellow leaves on your Scindapsus plant. It's normal for these plants to produce yellow leaves from time to time as they age, and sometimes leaves may be overshadowed by other leaves.
7. Repot your plants only when they become too big for their container. Scindapsus plants like to be slightly root-bound, so they don't need frequent repotting.
8. Keep an eye out for pests. These plants are susceptible to pests such as spider mites and mealybugs. Check the leaves regularly for any signs of infestation and treat them promptly.
9. Provide support for climbing. As climbing plants, they will benefit from support such as a trellis or moss pole. This will help them grow upright and prevent the leaves from drooping.
10. They can also be grown as hanging plants, where they can trail down from a shelf or a hanging basket, creating a beautiful trailing effect.

Scindapsus care tips

Light requirements

Satin Pothos is super chill when it comes to lighting. It’s not too picky and can handle different light levels, but they really enjoy bright indirect light, just like most houseplants. So, pick a spot with filtered sunlight or medium-shade light.

Expert tip! Just be careful. Most of them have beautiful patterns, which may fade if you keep them in too much shade. Give them enough light so they can display their beautiful leaves.

They can even survive in low-light areas of your home, but their growth will be slower, and their leaves may be smaller. But if that doesn't bother you, no worries! These tough plants will still bring some green to your space.

Watering

Satin Pothos is both super sensitive to root rot which is obviously caused by too much water. To avoid this, wait until the top half of the soil or the whole soil ball is dry before watering again. You can easily check this by sticking your finger in the soil and checking if the soil keeps sticking to your finger. If it does, no extra watering is necessary!

It could be a sign of overwatering if you notice yellowing leaves, wilting, or a general slowdown in plant growth. Try watering less frequently and make sure that the soil drains properly.

Good to know! Scindapsus plants can be quite dramatic and often droop their leaves to let you know when they're thirsty. But don't worry, if you water them, they should perk up and look much better within a day!

Nutrition

Give your Satin Pothos some extra nutrition in spring and summer. You can feed it with some organic fertiliser like PLNTS nutrition every 3-4 weeks. It’s not necessary, but we do recommend it as it does make your them stronger and more beautiful. And who wouldn’t want that? Just remember to take a break during autumn and winter, as that's the time when most plants rest and don't need extra nutrients.

Temperature & humidity

Scindapsus plants are pretty chill when it comes to temperature - they like it to be between 15-25°C, which is basically average room temperature. Just avoid exposing the plant to sudden temperature changes, like cold drafts or hot air from heating vents.

These plants also prefer a bit of humidity to help them grow their best. While they can tolerate average room humidity very well, their ideal humidity level is a bit higher, around 40-60%. If you see any brown leaf edges, consider raising the humidity for plants.

Repotting & soil

Scindapsus plants usually need to be repotted every 1-2 years or when their roots have outgrown their current pot. When you repot them, use PLNTS organic potting soil that's well-draining and rich in nutrients. Your plant will appreciate it!

Scindapsus propagation

Scindapsus propagation is one of the easiest things to do! The best way to propagate your favourite Scindapsus is via stem cuttings. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Make sure you get a cutting with 1 to 3 leaves and at least one node on a stem. A node is a little bulb on a stem from which new leaves will grow.
2. Cut it carefully from the mother plant and let it grow new roots in water or in sphagnum moss. Just remember to change the water from time to time.
3. Once you see lots of new roots, plant the cutting in well-draining soil and enjoy your new houseplant!

That's easy, right? You can propagate Scindapsus at any time of the year, but the best time is when the plant is actively growing new leaves.

Most common pest and disease on Scindapsus

They are quite prone to root rot. The good news is that this is something you are responsible for since overwatering causes it. Therefore it is always best to use pots with drainage holes so the remaining water can drain away. Mixing perlite or hydro grains into your soil will reduce the risk because these substrates can absorb water.

If we are talking about pests, most of the time, the Scindapsus gets attacked by scale insects and spider mites. You can prevent infestations by misting your plant with water, as these pests prefer dry environments. Are you suspecting some uninvited visitors on your plant? Check our PLNTSdoctor page to know how to get rid of these pests.

Is Scindapsus toxic for pets or children?

Unfortunately, the genus Scindapsus is toxic for our beloved dogs, cats and humans. Ingestion may cause mouth or throat swelling, and we don’t wish that on our loved ones. You can easily prevent this by placing your Scindapsus in a hanging pot or in a closed cabinet. This way, you can still enjoy her beauty, and will everyone around you be safe.

Buy your new Scindapsus online at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com you can buy Scindapsus online, like the famous Scindapsus Pictus Trebie or rare varieties like the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight or Treubii Nearly Black.

Whether you like your Scindapsus big from the start or prefer to grow them from tiny BabyPLNTS into full-grown PLNTS - buy your new Scindapsus online at PLNTS.com.