Satin Pothos Care

Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus), just like its botanical cousin pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the cherished houseplants. What distinguishes satin pothos from pothos is the variegation of its foliage. The heart-shaped leaves have silvery grey splotches. Satin pothos is a vine that will latch onto its surroundings—that can be a pole, a trellis, other plants, a wall, or a piece of furniture. The way the vine attaches to surfaces is through its aerial roots. Sometimes it does this on its own, sometimes it needs a little help, such as with invisible mini hooks. Instead of letting it trail, you can also grow satin pothos in a hanging planter allowing its foliage to cascade down.

Light

Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) needs bright light but it must be indirect. When exposed to full direct sun, its leaves will lose their variegation and get scorched.

If you place the plant near a window with direct sunlight, it will require a curtain to protect it from direct sunlight. 

Soil

Use a commercial indoor potting mix, which already contains nutrients and ensures good drainage through its combination of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite or vermiculite. Scindapsus pictus does poorly in wet, soggy soil. 

Water

When watering satin pothos, the key is to avoid overwatering, which will manifest itself by yellow leaves and the vine wilting.

Water only when the top two inches of the soil feel dry to the touch—poke your finger into the soil to check. Water slowly and deeply with room-temperature water until you see water seeping out of the drain holes. 

Temperature and Humidity

Satin pothos is a tropical plant, which means it needs warmth and humidity. The ideal growth temperature ranges from 65 to 85 degrees F. At a lower temperature, it will suffer cold damage and die. In dry air, the leaf tips can turn brown. 

40 to 50% relative humidity around your plant is ideal. Misting satin pothos to increase humidity is not highly recommended because the aerial roots also absorb moisture so it might result in overwatering. So you can carefully mist the leaves only if you see leaves are wilted.

Fertilizer

During the growing season, from spring to fall, fertilize the satin pothos about once a month with a complete, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer would be best. But you can use vermicompost also.