Image: AI generated
Satin Pothos Plant Care
Scindapsus pictus Hassk.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Scindapsus pictus, commonly called satin pothos, silver pothos, or silver vine, is a species of flowering plant in the aroid or arum family, Araceae, native to Bangladesh, Borneo, India, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan and Thailand. The Latin specific epithet pictus means "painted", referring to the variegation on the leaves.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Satin Pothos?
Water Satin Pothos every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Satin Pothos Native To?
What Is the Satin Pothos?
Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) belongs to the Araceae family within the Scindapsus genus. Satin Pothos is native to Bangladesh, Borneo, India, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan and Thailand.
Satin Pothos displays a trailing vine growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Satin Pothos produces rarely flowers indoors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Satin Pothos?
Scindapsus pictus requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Satin Pothos Need?
Satin Pothos thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Satin Pothos in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Satin Pothos Prefer?
Scindapsus pictus grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Satin Pothos prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Satin Pothos?
Well-draining potting mix with perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Satin Pothos to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Satin Pothos?
Feed Satin Pothos every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Satin Pothos?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Satin Pothos?
Satin Pothos can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering.
Is the Satin Pothos Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Toxic to pets, mildly toxic to humans
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Satin Pothos?
Satin Pothos is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Satin Pothos Need?
Satin Pothos grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11b. Satin Pothos is native to Bangladesh, Borneo, India, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan and Thailand. In cooler regions, grow Satin Pothos as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 11b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Satin Pothos is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Scindapsus genus — compare its care with other Scindapsus species on PlantoScan.
Scindapsus is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Satin Pothos copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Scindapsus pictus Hassk., family Araceae (first published in Tijdschr. Natuurl. Gesch. Physiol. 9: 164 (1842)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Satin Pothos as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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