This post will cover where Scindapsus, or Silver Pothos, are found in the wild, some fun, scientific info about the plant, and how to care for it (spoiler alert: most Scindapsus are SUPER easy to care for!)
I have a feeling that you’ll fall in love with these plants after learning their story and care, just like I did!
Table of Contents
All About Scindapsus In The Wild
How & Where do Scindapsus species grow in nature?
Scindapsus plants are found in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Queensland, and New Guinea.
They are epiphytic and epilithic, climbing trees and clinging to rocks.
While researching, I stumbled on this description of Scindapsus pictus, which I thought was absolutely perfect:
Tree-hugger. Silvery on the edges. Loves Hawai’i, even though not native to that archipelago. I could be writing about myself, but all of these also apply to the ‘Argyraeus’ satin pothos in today’s photograph.
Daniel Mosquin, UBD Botanical Website, https://botanyphoto.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/2019/01/scindapsus-pictus-argyraeus/
Here is Daniel Mosquin’s stunning photo (the author of the quote above), captured in Hawai’i:
When Scindapsus plants attach and begin to climb, they adopt a new way of growing.
This behavior is called shingling, in which the leaves lie flat against the growing surface, sometimes overlapping, like shingles on a roof.
The name of the genus, Scindapsus, is derived from the Greek word skindapsos which translates to both “ivy-like plant” and “upon a tree.” It’s easy to see how the plant earned its name.
As these plants climb higher, they mature. Maturity brings larger leaves and sometimes even a new leaf shape!
Some leaves become longer and thinner; others develop lobes or finger-like shapes on their margins.
For example, Scindapsus pictus goes from a falcate shape to a pinnately-lobed shape.
In all the years I’ve known this, though, I have never seen an actual photo of a Scindapsus having lobes. Does it only rarely happen? I do wonder.
Falcate leaf
Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leaf_morphology_falcate.png#/media/File:Leaf_morphology_falcate.png
Pinnately-lobed leaf
Why are so many Scindapsus varieties painted in glittery, silver spots?
Scindapsus pictus varieties express a type of variegation called blister or reflective. This variegation is produced by air pockets forming between the outer leaf layer and the inner leaf layer (where chlorophyll is present).
The air pockets create a shimmer when light reflects off of them, which is what gives many Scindapsus varieties those gorgeous silvery patches on their leaves.
What does a Scindapsus flower look like?
The Scindapsus genus is part of the Araceae family, which is commonly known as the Aroid family—one of the most popular groups of houseplants worldwide.
The Aroid family is known for a type of flower/inflorescence called a spadix—the rod-like, almost corncob-like structure you see in the picture below of Scindapsus sp.
Here’s some cool, bonus facts
Some varieties of Scindapsus have medicinal qualities. Scindapsus officinalis is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diarrhea and worms. It is also used for cancer treatment and its antioxidant properties.
It is a fantastic plant for many reasons, has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit, and I personally recommend it to hobbyists at any level.
How to Care for Scindapsus as a Houseplant
How much Light does a Scindapsus need?
Scindapsus thrive in bright light indoors. Pick a spot near a well-lit window that is not super drafty.
Avoid areas that receive direct sun all day—these spots are perfect for cacti and succulents but too much for many foliage houseplants unless the light is reduced through the use of window coverage (like blinds, sheer curtains, etc).
Given ample light, a Scindapsus will grow much faster, and its leaves will emerge much closer together, giving the plant a beautiful, full appearance.
Yes, these plants can tolerate lower light conditions, but I wouldn’t recommend it. They are at their best when given more light, and are a more enjoyable experience to grow in bright light.
How do you know when to Water a Scindapsus?
Scindapsus like to be thoroughly watered when half or more of the pot is dry.
For example, if it’s a 4-inch pot, I would stick a wooden chopstick in at least 2 inches and see if it comes out clean.
If the chopstick comes out clean, it’s dry and ready for water. If it’s dirty with moist potting mix, the plant still has enough moisture and can wait longer.
It used to be widely shared that Scindapsus could wait to be watered until their leaves curled. While they can survive this practice, it isn’t a good care routine. When a Scindapsus plant has curled leaves, that means the plant is severely dehydrated and is past the point of needing to be watered.
Following the advice above is a much healthier practice that will yield much more growth and vigor.
What kind of Potting Mix / Soil does a Scindapsus prefer?
Scindapsus benefit from a potting mix designed for houseplants that has something added for proper drainage.
If you don’t see anything in the mix for drainage (i.e. it looks like one consistent color and texture), adding some perlite, pumice, or orchid bark would be very beneficial.
This will ensure the plant’s roots receive the air needed to stay healthy while still receiving the moisture needed from the rest of the mix.
How often and what kind of Fertilizing does Scindapsus want?
Scindapsus appreciate being regularly fertilized throughout the year with any houseplant fertilizer. I recommend a well-balanced fertilizer (where all 3 numbers are the same, like an NPK of 10-10-10).
Avoid bloom boosters where the middle number, phosphorous, is higher.
Following the directions on the package. Or, if you’d like to be extra safe, cut the amount of recommended fertilizer in half to avoid fertilizer burn.
What are some Common Concerns and Pests for Scindapsus?
Do you need to mist your plant’s leaves? No. Misting leaves doesn’t benefit the plant. The humidity that results from misting lasts so briefly that it isn’t worth it.
If you coat the plant with water while spraying and do it often enough (in an attempt to raise humidity), it can cause bacterial or fungal issues.
Does a Scindapsus need high humidity? No, absolutely not. They enjoy high humidity, but none of the plants I own and grow successfully receive any additional humidity in my dry Michigan home, and they do just fine.
What types of pests do Scindapsus typically get?
Scindapsus are very pest-resistant. While they can get spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and other pests, I truly can’t remember a time when I’ve needed to regularly treat a Scindapsus for pests.
I think I spot-treated a Scindapsus for thrips on a single leaf once or twice, but that was primarily caused by its neighboring plants that had thrips.
Can Scindapsus shingle indoors?
Yes, I think so. I had Scindapsus start to shingle on a wooden lattice, which I let it grow in and out of. Like a silly houseplant grower, I was trying to help fix that plant and others and ripped it off. I think I did more harm than good. It hasn’t shingled since. Maybe I’ll see it again at some point!
Are Scindapsus houseplants pet-safe and kid-safe?
No, Scindapsus species are toxic to kids and pets.
To look up more plants, check out my blog post detailing the safety of many common houseplants.
Resources Used For This Article:
- http://powo.science.kew.org/?page.size=480&q=scindapsus
- https://eol.org/pages/1130862
- https://botanyphoto.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/2019/01/scindapsus-pictus-argyraeus/
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/119870/Scindapsus-pictus-Argyraeus/Details
- https://www.flobflower.com/en/houseplants/1110-scindapsus.html
- http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-188598
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_leaf_morphology
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169116310759
- http://www.flowers.org.uk/plants/plants-by-name/q-t/scindapsus/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326889/
Post originally published April 26, 2021; Updated March 6, 2025
Hi! I have some of my Scindapsus plants (exotica, Pictus and silvery Lady) in a selfwatering system and thexy love it. since I discovered that my plants seem to be happier than ever and groß so much faster.
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