How to Propagate Satin Pothos (Complete Guide)

Last Updated on July 27, 2024

Among all the varieties of Pothos, the Satine Pothos is the most adorable plant to bless your garden with. This plant stands out with its attractive silver-patterned leaves, and there are various varieties to explore. Learn how to grow and care for Satin Pothis as a beginner easily.

A Little Bit About Satin Pothos

Satin Pothos also known as Scindapsus pictus is originally from Southeast Asia and now also found in Northern Australia, this ornamental climber is a popular choice for indoor plant collections.

You can cultivate satin pothos on moss poles, in hanging baskets, or by manually wrapping them around climbing aids.

The vines can grow up to three meters in length, showcasing distinctive heart-shaped leaves with green and silvery patterns.

The leaves are smooth and shiny, similar to pothos, and the plant features small aerial roots that help it attach to climbing aids like coconut fibre rods or moss poles.

While satin pothos has typical arum flowers enclosed in a spatha, it usually only blooms in the wild and rarely as a houseplant.

Propagating Satin Pothos

If you want to propagate satin pothos, the easiest method is through cuttings, ideally done during the spring when the growing season starts. Follow these steps for successful propagation:

Prepare the Soil:

Fill small pots with a suitable growing medium, adequate perlite, and potting mix.

This peat-free, well-draining soil has fewer nutrients than all-purpose compost, encouraging robust root development in young plants.

Take Cuttings:

Cut one or more shoots from the mother plant, making sure each cutting has at least one node (the point on the shoot where leaves and roots emerge).

Tip: Nodes are slight thickenings on the shoot that give rise to new roots and leaves. You can cut a shoot into several pieces, as long as each section has some leaf nodes.

Plant Cuttings:

Insert the cuttings into the soil with the cut side down.

Moisten the soil to provide a suitable environment for root development.

Create Humidity:

Cover the pots with a plastic bag to increase humidity.

Air out the bag once a day to prevent mould growth.

Provide Ideal Conditions:

Place the pots in a warm, bright location at approximately 20 to 25°C.

Wait for Growth:

Once the cuttings have developed roots and leaves, repot them into a more nutrient-rich soil.

Growing Satin Pothos

For optimal growth, place your Satine Pothos in a bright and warm indoor location.

While it can tolerate lower light levels, keep in mind that this might result in less prominent silver leaf patterns and slower growth.

The ideal temperature for satin pothos is around 20°C, but it can handle fluctuations as long as it doesn’t drop below 15°C.

To prevent waterlogging, create a drainage layer at the pot’s bottom using coarse material before planting.

Avoid exposing the plant to extremely low temperatures and direct sunlight.

Satin Pothos Care

Watering:

Satin pothos prefer moderate watering. Let the top layer of soil slightly dry between waterings.

Remove excess water approximately 15 minutes after watering to prevent root rot. Soft, lime-free rainwater is the best choice for watering your Scindapsus.

Humidity:

To recreate its tropical habitat, occasionally mist your plant or place a nearby bowl of water to increase humidity.

These practices contribute to a balanced environment, supporting the healthy growth of your satin pothos.

Adjust the watering frequency based on your plant’s needs and home conditions.

Fertilizing:

For optimal fertilizing, choose a liquid fertilizer for your Pothos plant that can easily dissolve in the soil and mix with it.

During the growing season, which typically spans from spring to fall, apply fertilizer every two to four weeks. No need to fertilize during winter.

Pruning:

If your satin pothos become too sprawling or if long shoots become inconvenient, pruning is an option.

However, it’s advisable to wait until spring. This allows you to use the pruned shoots for propagation, adding more greenery to your indoor space.

Repotting:

Spring is also the prime time for repotting satin pothos. Aim to repot every two to three years or when the roots outgrow the current pot.

Gently lift the plant, remove soil from the roots, and move it into a larger pot, preferably with a drainage layer at the bottom. This ensures a refreshed environment for your growing plant.

FAQs

Is Scindapsus pictus poisonous?

Yes, Scindapsus pictus is considered toxic to pets and humans. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which, if ingested, can cause irritation and discomfort in the mouth, throat, and digestive tract.

Symptoms may include drooling, difficulty swallowing, and nausea.

Why do my satin pothos have yellow leaves?

Yellow leaves on your satin pothos may be due to overwatering, underwatering, poor drainage, nutrient deficiency, low humidity, inadequate light, or pests.

Ensure a balanced watering schedule, use well-draining soil, provide proper nutrients with fertilizer, increase humidity, place the plant in bright, indirect light, and check for pests or diseases.

Adjusting these factors should help address the issue and promote healthier growth.

Can Satin Pothos survive in low light?

Yes, satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) can tolerate low-light conditions, but it may not thrive as well as it would in brighter light.

While it can adapt to low light, the plant’s growth may slow down, and the silver patterns on its leaves may become less pronounced. Ideally, place satin pothos in bright, indirect light for optimal growth.

If you must keep it in low light, make sure it still receives some indirect sunlight, and consider rotating the plant occasionally to promote even growth on all sides.

Regularly check the plant for any signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves, and adjust its location accordingly.