Don't you just love it when a plant has every single quality you're looking for in a houseplant? In my opinion, the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' has it all: VERY easy to care for—check. Goes a long time without needing to be watered—check. Gives clear signs when it needs water—check. Absolutely uniquely gorgeous—check. Climbing/vining plant—check.
That's why I thought it was about time I wrote a blog post about this beautiful plant. In this post, I'll be discussing everything there is to know about the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica,' including its origins, care requirements, and some tips and tricks on how to style it.
Botanical Name |
Scindapsus pictus 'exotica' |
Plant Family |
Araceae |
Common Name |
Silver Splash, Satin, Silver Satin |
Size |
Height/Length: 3 meters |
Soil |
Well-draining, loose soil that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. |
Mother Country |
Bangladesh, Borneo, India, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan and Thailand |
Toxicity |
Toxic to pets |
Understanding the Scindapsus Pictus 'Exotica'
We're really going to dive deep into what makes this plant so special. By doing this, you'll also gain a better understanding of how to care for the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' and how to differentiate it from other similar-looking varieties.
Origins and Natural Habitat
The Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' originates from the rainforests of Southeast Asia. In their natural habitat, you’ll often see them either climbing trees, shingling their leaves flat against the trunks, or crawling on the forest floors.
When placing them in your home, it's important to keep these characteristics in mind to ensure your Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' thrives. Consider providing a moss pole to mimic a tree, and place it in a spot with bright, filtered light. Also, remember that the rainforests where they originate are very high in humidity, so increasing the humidity in your home will make them very happy.
Unique Characteristics Of The Scindapsus Pictus 'Exotica'
The Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is a very unique-looking plant with its thick, green, heart-shaped foliage, adorned with large splashes of silver covering the leaves. Each leaf is also framed by a silver line, giving it a picturesque appearance. This brings me to my next point: "pictus" is Latin for "picture." Now the name makes perfect sense for such a natural work of art, doesn't it?
Other Scindapsus Pictus Varieties
There are three main Scindapsus pictus varieties, which are often confused with one another. Although there are some key differences in their appearance, being in the same plant family means their care needs remain more or less the same.
Scindapsus Pictus 'Argyraeus'
Argyraeus is probably the most common and popular Scindapsus pictus variety. Unlike the 'Exotica,' the 'Argyraeus' has deeper green leaves with smaller, more dispersed splashes of silver. The leaves themselves are also much smaller than those of the 'Exotica.'
Scindapsus Pictus 'Silvery Ann'
The 'Silvery Ann' looks almost identical to the 'Exotica,' but with a key difference: a larger portion of each leaf is covered in silver variegation. While the 'Exotica' features splashes of silver on its deep green leaves, the 'Silvery Ann' takes it a step further, with more of the leaf surface showcasing this striking silver pattern.
Scindapsus Pictus 'Exotica' Care Guide
Even though the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is an excellent plant for beginners due to its ease of care, there are specific care requirements that, when followed, will make this plant absolutely thrive.
Light Requirements
The rule of thumb is that the darker a plant’s leaves are, the better it can adapt to areas with less natural light. Since the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' has dark green leaves with light silver variegation, it's important to find a spot with a good balance of natural light—very bright, but not direct.
Although the 'Exotica' will survive and look fine in a darker corner, its silver variegation will diminish with each new leaf. To maintain the beautiful silver variegation this plant is known for, place it in a bright spot with indirect sunlight.
Watering Needs
As a general rule, most plants should only be watered once the top few centimeters of soil are dry. However, with a plant like the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica,' which shows telltale signs when it's thirsty, I prefer to wait until the leaves start to curl in on themselves just a little before giving it a drink.
Due to its extensive root system, I would rather underwater this plant than overwater it, as overwatering can quickly lead to root rot.
Humidity and Temperature
Because the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is a tropical plant, it prefers higher humidity and temperatures. That being said, your 'Exotica' will do just fine in standard household humidity, as it's a hardy plant. However, if you really want it to thrive, remember to increase the humidity from time to time.
Temperature-wise, just be sure to keep it away from cold drafts and sudden temperature drops (below 16 degrees Celsius).
Soil and Repotting
As previously mentioned, the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is highly susceptible to root rot due to its thick, long root system. This means the plant requires a nutrient-rich, chunky, well-draining soil. A soil mixture of equal parts potting soil, coco peat, perlite, and orchid bark is perfect for this type of plant.
Because of its very long roots, I’ve found that it’s much better to repot it in a container that is deeper rather than flat and wide.
Fertilizing Tips
Like most plants, the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' loves a good liquid fertilizer during the spring and summer months. Mix a high-quality liquid fertilizer into your watering can once a month when watering. As always, avoid fertilizing completely during the fall and winter when this plant enters its dormancy phase.
Common Problems and Solutions
Although the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is a very easy-to-care-for plant, it does have a few common problems that are fortunately easy to identify and address.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth is usually a sign of insufficient lighting. When the leaves on your Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' start growing far apart, it's a clear indication that you should move your plant to a spot with brighter light.
Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leaves can indicate a few issues, but the most common problem is usually overwatering. Scale back on your watering schedule when you start to see yellow leaves. Wait a bit longer between waterings and ensure that at least the top quarter of the soil is dry before watering.
Curling Leaves
When the leaves on your Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' start to curl inward, it's time for a drink of water. Water the soil thoroughly, ensuring that excess water drains through the drainage holes. The leaves should return to their beautiful, flat state in no time.
Stunted Growth
The Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is a slow-growing vining plant, so don’t panic if you haven’t seen new growth in a while. However, if months or even years pass without any signs of new growth, it’s time to make a change.
The primary contributor to slow growth is usually insufficient lighting. Move your plant to a brighter spot or invest in some grow lights to boost its growth rate. Also, remember to fertilize your plant with a high-quality liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing seasons.
Styling Your Scindapsus Pictus 'Exotica'
Vining and climbing plants are some of my favorites to style, thanks to the wide range of styling options they offer. Below, we’ll explore a few of these options to help you choose the perfect method for styling your Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica.'
Scindapsus Pictus 'Exotica' as a Trailing Plant
If you have plenty of vertical space to style your plant, consider placing it in a hanging basket near a window or on a shelf where it can gracefully cascade over your books or trinkets.
Climbing Displays
The Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' loves to climb, so it will thrive with climbing supports such as a trellis, a moss pole, or a wall-mounted support. This method of displaying your plant will help it reach its full potential, rewarding you with larger, more impressive leaves.
Pairing with Other Plants
Because of the intricate patterns on the leaves of the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica,' I like to pair it with plants that have simpler, single-color leaves. This contrast helps the 'Exotica' stand out even more.
Propagation Tips and Tricks for the Scindapsus Pictus 'Exotica'
- Choose a Healthy Vine: Select a healthy vine with at least 3-4 leaves and nodes (the points where leaves and aerial roots grow).
- Prepare the Cutting: Using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, cut a vine just below a node. Ensure the cutting is about 4-6 inches long.
- Remove Lower Leaves: Strip off the leaves from the bottom 2-3 nodes of the cutting, leaving a few leaves at the top intact.
- Water or Soil Preparation: Decide whether you want to propagate in water or soil: Water: Fill a jar or glass with room-temperature water. Soil: Prepare a small pot with a well-draining potting mix.
- Place the Cutting: Water: Submerge the nodes (but not the leaves) in the water. Ensure the water covers at least one node.Soil: Insert the cutting into the soil, ensuring the nodes are buried, and firm the soil around it.
- Provide Proper Environment: Place the cutting in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight.Maintain high humidity by covering the cutting with a plastic bag or placing it in a mini greenhouse.
- Change Water or Keep Soil Moist: Water: Change the water every few days to prevent stagnation and bacteria growth.Soil: Keep the soil lightly moist but not waterlogged.
- Wait for Root Development: Roots should start developing in 2-4 weeks. You’ll notice new growth and roots in water or resistance when gently tugging the cutting in soil.
- Transplanting: Water Propagation: Once the roots are about 2-3 inches long, transfer the cutting to a pot with well-draining soil.Soil Propagation: No need to transplant until the plant outgrows its pot.
- Aftercare: Continue to care for the new plant by keeping it in bright, indirect light, watering when the top inch of soil is dry, and providing occasional humidity boosts.
If you’re still here, thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this blog post about one of my absolute favorite plants. If you love Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' as much as I do, let me know why in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Scindapsus Pictus a pothos or a philodendron?
Thanks to its common name, "satin pothos," many people mistakenly believe the Scindapsus pictus is a pothos. Although it shares similarities with both pothos and philodendron, it is neither. It’s an entirely different species, though it does belong to the same Araceae family.
Is the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' rare?
Although the Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is a very unique-looking plant, it is not considered rare. It is widely available at most nurseries and plant shops.
