How to care for satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus)

Scindapsus pictus · Silver pothos, Silver vine

Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) — a slow-growing evergreen vine with heart-shaped, satiny dark green leaves blotched with silver, trailing or climbing to about 1–1.5 m; it rarely flowers indoors. Satin pothos needs partial shade. Water it about every 8 days while it grows and about every 18 days in the winter rest.

Checked against sources: November 5, 2026

Watering and repotting satin pothos through the year

It lives indoors all year, so it has no sowing or planting dates: it grows from March to September and rests from October to February (the other way round in the southern hemisphere).

Repot it about every 36 months.

When to plant satin pothos?

Plant or repot satin pothos in spring, as it starts into growth; early to midsummer also works. It is a houseplant, so it has no outdoor planting date and no frost decides it: just avoid autumn and winter, when growth slows and fresh compost stays wet too long. After that, move it to a slightly larger pot about every three years, or sooner once roots circle the pot or grow through the drainage holes.

Watering in the growing and resting halves of the year: Watering and repotting satin pothos through the year.

Sources: RHS: How to repot a plant · Penn State Extension: Repotting houseplants

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Latin name	Scindapsus pictus
Family	Araceae
Also called	Silver pothos, Silver vine
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Repotting	every 36 months
Grown in	At home

Satin pothos care by growth stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 8 days	—	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 194 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 18 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Bright filtered light with shade from hot sun. Direct sun and cool air are not tolerated.

Soil

Peat-free, loam-based potting compost that is moist but well drained.

Care

While it is growing, water moderately and feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser; at other times water sparingly. Rooms at about 18–29 °C suit it best. Yellow leaves point to overwatering and curling leaves to underwatering; in poorly drained soil the roots rot. Pinch the stems to keep it tidy and propagate from stem cuttings. Check for scale, mites, mealybugs and thrips. Harmful if eaten, an irritant to skin and eyes (wear gloves), and toxic to cats and dogs.

Pests and diseases of Satin pothos

2 problems are recorded for satin pothos; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Diseases

Grey mould

Pests

Scale insects

Other plants of the Araceae family

Satin pothos belongs to Araceae; 12 other plants of this family have a guide here.

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Houseplants · Houseplants you rarely repot

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.