The Satin pothos is a charming indoor plant that is easy to grow and requires very little maintenance. It’s a favorite for many plant-lovers looking to bring life to their indoor spaces.
Satin pothos is known for its fast-growing vines and heart-shaped leaves with an attractive dark green hue and silver spots on the upper surface.
Going by different names, including devil’s ivy, there is more to this tropical vine that makes it one of the must-have plants in your home plant collection.
Read this Satin pothos guide to learn how to grow, care and resolve some of the common problems faced when growing this popular houseplant.
What is Satin Pothos?
A native of the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, Satin pothos is a slow-growing trailing vine in the Arum family. It is characterized by the eye-catching silvery markings on the dark green heart-shaped leaf.
This tropical vine climbs up by aerial rootlets when supported or tumbles along the ground if unsupported. It can grow up to 10 feet long. When grown in pots, it can stem up to 3 feet long. Because of their trailing nature, they are perfect for hanging baskets.
In most places, the Satin pothos is typically grown indoors as ornamental because of their attractively patterned leaves and compact nature.
Here are other important aspects of the Satin pothos plant that you should know:
Quick summary
Botanical plant name: Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus
Native to: Southeast Asia
Care: minimal care
Size: Up to 8 feet long
Common problems: Root rot, curling leaves, brown leaf tip
Toxicity: mild toxicity to pets and babies
Plant inspiration tip: need to brighten your home, then check out the beautiful Calathea crocata.
How to care for Satin Pothos
Let’s look at the different requirements needed for the optimal growth of a Satin pothos plant.
Sunlight
Satin pothos needs moderate to minimal light to grow well. Avoid direct sunlight because this will likely cause the leaves to lose variegation and shrivel.
If your plant is placed near a window, protect it from direct sunlight by shielding it with your curtain or simply moving it to a location away from the direct sunlight.
Watering
Water your plant regularly but ensure to allow enough time for the top 2 inches of your soil to dry out completely before the next watering.
To avoid over watering, it is important that your pot has drainage holes. Too much water may cause the leaves to turn yellow, wilt, or generally have an unpleasant look. And in the worst-case scenario, cause root rot.
Humidity & Temperature
Since Satin pothos is a tropical plant, it needs warm and humid conditions to thrive. The ideal relative humidity around your plant should be 40 to 50%. If the air is dry, especially during winter, the leaf tips turn brown. Try and use a humidity tray. Here is a video to guide you on how to make a humidity tray.
The ideal temperature for Satin pothos is 65-85°F. Do not expose your plant to temperatures below 60°F as cold air may damage the foliage and even kill the plant.
Cleaning
Satin pothos has broad leaves that can easily collect dust which may interfere with photosynthesis.
To help keep your plant looking good and fresh, regularly dust the leaves with a damp cloth.
Fertilizing & Soil
Use a potting mixture of all-purpose houseplant fertilizer that can give your plant all the necessary nutrients to flourish. Fertilize your plant once a month.
Do not use soil that is soggy and wet to grow your plant. Also, ensure that the soil is not too compact to avoid water retention that may cause root rot.
Repotting
Repot your plant as soon as you notice any roots emerging from the drainage holes. This may be once a year or two years, depending on how fast your plant grows.
Use a high drainage plant pot that is two inches larger than your current pot and fill it in with a fresh mixture of potting soil.
Transferring your plant to a bigger pot gives the roots enough room, keeping it healthier and stimulating growth.
Related reads: Heart Leaf Fern care guide
How and when to prune
Satin pothos rarely requires pruning. However, the best time to do so is usually during spring. This is the time when the plant is just about to start growing faster.
Locate a leaf scar, and using scissors or a clean knife, cut 1/4 inch through the stem. Pruning above a leaf scar triggers the plant to send out a new stem resulting in a more compact plant.
As the new stems grow, pinch them back towards the topmost leaf. This will encourage further branching.
Once you are done with the pruning, remove all the cut plant pieces and give your plant a good watering. This will help avoid any drought stress during a period when your plant undergoes new growth.
Problems with Satin Pothos
Two main problems may affect Satin pothos:
1. Pest problems
The main household pests that are notorious for causing problems to the Satin pothos are spider mites and scale mites.
Spider mites are plant-eating mites that feed on fluids extracted from individual plant cells using their needle-like mouthparts. If not controlled, they can easily cause your plant to die.
One home remedy that you can use to control spider and scale mites is to wipe the plant with neem oil. You can also spray the plant with a mixture of soap and water.
2. Disease problems
When it comes to diseases, root rot caused by overwatering is the most common problem facing satin pothos.
Signs of root rot disease include brown stems and soft or black spots on the leaves. Unfortunately, these signs appear when the root system of the plant has already been extensively damaged.
You can avoid root rot by ensuring that you only water your plant when the soil is dry.
Once the plant has been attacked by root rot, the only way to try and revive it is by repotting in fresh soil.
How to propagate
Propagating Satin pothos is pretty is easy. Here’s how to go about it:
- Locate a healthy stem that is free from disease or pests. A stem with several nodes and leaves will propagate faster.
- Cut using a clean, sharp knife or scissors. Avoid passing any infection or dirt to the cutting.
- Fill up a container with purified water that has low levels of chlorine and fluoride.
- Place the Satin pothos cutting in the water.
- Change the water every 2-3 days to keep it free from bacteria. Changing the water also stops stagnation which can harm your cutting.
- Ensure your cutting gets enough light and warmth. After a week or two, the cutting should give roots.
- Transfer the cutting to a pot with high-quality soil mix once the roots are a few inches long.
- For the first few weeks, keep your soil moist to allow your cutting to adapt well to its new environment.
FAQs About Satin Pothos
How much light does a satin pathos need?
Satin pothos does well in bright, indirect light. Too little light may cause variegation of the leaves, while too much direct sunlight will damage the leaves.
What is so special about satin pothos?
Satin pothos is known for being durable and easy to care for. Although it does best in a bright place, it can also tolerate minimal light. It is widely believed to be a good luck plant.
Are Satin pothos good indoor plants?
Yes. Satin pothos is an excellent indoor plant. It is a living air purifier that removes household toxins, making it a beautiful and healthy addition to your indoor space.
Can a Satin pothos survive in low light?
Yes. However, when Satin pothos is exposed to prolonged low light, the green leaves will eventually turn yellow.
Plant recommendation tip: looking for an Amazonian plant, then check out Calathea lancifolia from Brazil.
Conclusion
For an ornamental plant that comes with a number of benefits, Satin pothos is by far the easiest plant to care for. In addition to its beauty, the plant is efficient in purifying air from harmful chemicals, which makes it a healthy addition to your space.
Satin pothos thrives in a warm and humid environment. The best spot to place this tropical potted indoor plant will be where it would get indirect sunlight. Direct rays from the sun will scorch the plant to death.