Why are the leaves curling?

Curling leaves usually mean the plant is thirsty and needs a good watering.

Does it need bright light?

It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions.

Plant guide

Silver Philodendron.

Scindapsus pictus

Pronounced sin-DAP-sus PIK-tus

Also known as satin pothos, silver pothos

satin pothos — Photo by Кирилл (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This lovely vining plant is famous for its heart shaped leaves splashed with shimmering silver spots. It is a fantastic choice for hanging baskets or trailing off a shelf. You will find it is quite forgiving if you miss a watering now and then.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen vine
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: Up to 3 meters long
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely flowers indoors

Care

Let the top half of the soil dry out completely before you water again. Watch for curling leaves, as this is a clear sign the plant is thirsty. Keep it in a spot with bright, indirect light to maintain that beautiful silver variegation.

Watering: Allow the top 50 percent of soil to dry out before watering.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long vines to encourage a bushier appearance.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.
Soil: Well draining aroid potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Noticeable slowing of growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation and swelling if chewed or swallowed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the leaves are a choking hazard and cause mouth pain if bitten.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or rashes in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Heart shaped matte green leaves
Irregular silvery grey leaf variegation
Trailing vine growth habit
Thick and slightly succulent leaf texture

Height: 0.3 to 3m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, silver, evergreen
Flowers: white, pale green, 2 to 5cm

Common problems

Root rot — This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, causing the roots to decay.
Spider mites — These tiny pests create fine webbing and cause yellowing or stippling on the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation: stem cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and reduce watering slightly during the winter months when growth slows down.
In containers: It grows very well in pots and prefers a container with drainage holes, at least 6 inches in diameter.

Stem cuttings

1. Cut a stem section with at least two leaves and a node.
2. Place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting mix.
3. Keep it in bright, indirect light until roots appear.
4. Transplant into a small pot once roots are 2 inches long.

Group plants with similar water needs together to make your care routine easier.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar light and humidity requirements.
Philodendron — Both plants thrive in similar indoor environments and look great together.

Similar species

Epipremnum aureum — Often confused for this plant, though it has thinner leaves and faster growth.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Scindapsus
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia and the Philippines.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in the wild.

In the wild, it grows as an understory vine that climbs trees to reach better light.

Uses: Indoor ornamental, Hanging basket plant, Air purifying houseplant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaves curling?: Curling leaves usually mean the plant is thirsty and needs a good watering.
Does it need bright light?: It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Scindapsus comes from the Greek word skindapsos, which refers to a type of ivy, while pictus means painted, referring to the silver variegation.

Good to know

It is often called the satin pothos, though it is not a true pothos.
The leaves feel like velvet to the touch.
It is a slow grower compared to other common trailing houseplants.
It can climb if given a moss pole to attach to.

Is your silver philodendron looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.