One of the most popular indoor plants that you’ll hardly find is Silvery Ann Pothos. If you are looking for a gorgeous and enthusiastic foliage plant to add to your indoor collections, think no further than the silvery Ann pothos.
It is a pothos variety that features shimmery dim green leaves with silver spots and flecking all over and silver leaf edges.
The best method to grow this pothos is in hanging baskets or pots. It is an easy-maintenance plant and will be an attractive prospect for beginners.
Silvery Ann Pothos thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, avoid under-watering or excessive watering, adequate humidity and temperature not below 65 degrees F is best.
Here’s a detailed silvery ann pothos care and growing strategies!
Table of Contents
What is Silvery Ann Pothos? | Silvery Ann Pothos Origin
| Common Name | Silver pothos, silk pothos, silver philodendron, satin pothos |
| Botanical Name | Scindapsus pictus |
| Plant Type | Perennial vine, Easy Grower |
| Family | Scindapsus hybrid, Araceae |
| Sun Exposure | Bright, indirect light indoors |
| Soil pH Acidic | 6.1 to 6.5 |
| Mature Size | Up to 4 to 10ft length |
| Soil Type | Potting soil mix |
| Leaf Color | Dark green with silver spots and leaf edges |
| Native Area | Southeast Asia |
| Temperature | Between 65 to 75ºF (18 to 24ºC) |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Cool Hardiness | 10 to 12, USA climate |
Silvery Ann ‘Scindapsus pictus is a plant that is classified under the Araceae family and among the Scindapsus varieties, alongside others like Exotica and Argyraeu.
It has other names, which include silver pothos, silk pothos, and silver philodendron, amongst others. However, it is still neither a pothos nor a philodendron, irrespective of these names.
It is a very hardy plant and possesses one of the most widely searched features in plants, as it has foliage-matte green with silver flecking.
It has the same leaves as its sister plants, but that of silvery ann features a lot more silver spots and linings, and most times, all over the leaves.
The Silvery Ann originated from warm and humid climates of Sumatra, Sulawesi, Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia, amongst others.
In these regions, it grows as an epiphyte. The plant thrives in a well-draining potting mix and is always searching for something to clamber on.
You can also grow it as a hanging plant or join it to support or allow it to grow above a stake. The silvery ann is great for purifying the air.
And if you are looking for an elegant and interesting foliage plant that will add color and presence to your indoor environs, this is the perfect plant.
Is Silvery Ann Pothos Easy To Care For?
Yes, the silvery Ann is easy to maintain and care for. It is an attractive prospect for beginners. In as much as you can carry out its care routine, namely, watering moderately, avoiding extreme light, using well-drained soil, and fertilizing them appropriately and at the right time, you’re good to go.
Silvery Ann Pothos Care and Growing Tips
Natural Habitat & Light Requirements
In its natural habitat (the jungle), silvery ann pothos grows under shady forest trees and herbs, which prevents the direct sunlight's scorching heat from penetrating or heating it for an extended period.
Therefore, to get the best out of your silvery ann pothos, there is a need to imitate the natural conditions of the jungle.
In other words, even though it will survive a much lower light condition, Scindapsus pictus will do best under medium to bright indirect light.
However, you should note that little or insufficient light can make the beautiful variegation of its leaves fade out. Also, avoid exposing it to direct light to prevent its leaves from scorching effects of the light.
Watering Requirements
Silvery ann pothos requires watering every once in one or two weeks. This will give the soil enough time to dry out between watering.
Endeavor to water it more regularly in brighter light and less frequently in lower light. Before watering, make sure the top inches of the soil is dry once you touch it.
Silvery ann pothos can survive from insufficient watering but can’t entirely survive overwatering; therefore, you must avoid excess watering to prevent it from wilting.
Get rid of too much water from the saucer to waterlogging around the plant. Once your plant starts to curl on the two sides, it is a sign that it lacks enough water.
Humidity & Temperature
Humidity-wise, often, it can be very challenging to get higher humidity levels for some houseplants. However, grouping these plants with others can help to achieve a higher humidity, especially if you refuse to utilize a humidifier at all times.
You can also achieve higher humidity by adding a tray with pebbles and water or by misting your silvery Scindapsus pictus daily with water.
As long as the temperature is concerned, silvery ann thrives in every normal household temperature. In other words, it enjoys temperatures that range from 65 to 85 degrees F.
Since its natural habitat is a tropical climate, it wouldn’t do well in cold conditions. Its tropical origin or root also makes it thrive under humidity. Note that both temperatures and humidity are essential for Silvery ann care.
Soil Requirements
There's no generally recommended soil for it to show that the silvery ann pothos is an easy-maintenance plant.
After all, the regular potting mix will be great, as it enables the soil to retain sufficient moisture but is well-draining and with some nutrients. Also, the Scindapsus pictus thrives in soil with a pH ranging from 6.1 to 6.5.
You have to be careful to avoid wet or soaked soil. So, you have to inspect the potting mix you’re using to ensure it isn’t retaining much water. If you find out it does, then some perlite, vermiculite, pumice, or coarse sand is required to improve drainage.
However, you’ll need to be careful with the quantity you add, as it depends on how much drainage it requires. One thing about potting soil is that you shouldn’t allow it to get dry, as it will make it to be compacted.
Fertilizing Needs
Just like some other pothos varieties, silvery ann pothos is not a rapid grower; therefore, it doesn’t require much fertilizer.
We advise you to feed it at least once a month in the growing season. You can feed using a diluted houseplant fertilizer, as it has been deconcentrated and is perfect for it.
Again, make sure you don’t fertilize your Scindapsus pictus in the winter season and then resume its feeding routine during the spring season, as that is when the growth is at its most vigorous.
With the perfect quantity of fertilizer, you will be helping the plant keep its amazing foliage healthy and vibrant.
Once you discover that the plant's leaf color is beginning to fade, ensure you feed it monthly. Or, you could use a slow-release fertilizer.
These granules will provide a steady supply of essential nutrients to the plant as often as you water it. It’s essential to remember that too much fertilizer can be just as bad as starving it of nutrients.
Planting (Potting & Repotting) Silvery Ann Pothos
If you want to keep your silvery ann pothos healthy and happy, there’s a need for repotting. However, it does not require frequent repotting because it will take close to two or more years before you can repot it.
Meanwhile, how you pot the plant will determine its growth rate, whether fast or slow.
Also, the amount of sun it receives also has a big effect on its rapid growth. Immediately you discover the roots forcing themselves from beneath the drainage holes; it shows you that the plant requires a bigger pot.
The potting procedures below will give your silvery ann pothos greater chance of survival:
- Make sure you are repotting during the spring season because this is when your plant is healthier and actively growing while also offering your plant enough time to grow after you have transplanted them before the frost season comes calling.
- It requires a new pot and a fresh potting mix. The new pot size should be at least a little bigger than the present one.
- Repotting indoors requires a potting desk, or a sink or on the ground with newspaper, as it will help to enhance easier cleaning.
- If you are ready to repot, you can then remove the plant from the pot.
- The next thing is to inspect the roots to watch out for any damage or rot, then try to wipe off any dirt to enable you to see the roots clearer.
- If you find any root rot or have lost their strength or white color, cut them off.
- This is when you should separate the plant if you want to propagate via this method, which is also a better alternative given that you’d want to limit the size of the plant.
- Then, using a fresh potting mix, fill the fresh pot almost at the halfway point.
- Put the root ball inside the new pot.
- After that, use a fresh potting mix to fill the remaining space.
- Gather the soil a little but don’t overdo it, as you wouldn’t want to make the soil too compact.
How to Prune Silvery Ann Pothos
As discussed earlier, silvery ann pothos is not a difficult maintenance plant in terms of pruning. In other words, it doesn’t always require pruning, which is another appealing feature of the plant. There’s a need to skip the stems to control their size.
In other words, if you prune the stem, it helps to give the plant a fuller appearance, as it will necessitate stem growth out, rather than producing new growth from the cut area.
On the other hand, if you trim off the “runner” stems, which are only long stems without leaves, it will cause the plant look to look a bit stringy and thin.
Silvery Ann Pothos Propagation
The best and easiest way to propagate your silvery ann pothos is through the stem cuttings method. However, you can also do it through the soil and division method.
Meanwhile, propagation of silvery ann pothos is very easy. It readily allows for propagation given that the plants quickly develop roots, allowing you to grow a fresh plant from its parent.
Propagation by Stem Cutting
- You begin by cutting off a stem
- Make sure you select a healthy one with few leaves on it before making a stem tip cutting nearer to the end of the vine.
- You can also go for a longer stem, as it will allow you to trim it into smaller pieces, thereby multiplying your stem cuttings.
- Note that each trimming requires a node, as it is an area of the stem that the roots can grow from. Therefore, if the cutting lacks a node, it will be difficult for propagation to be successful.
Propagation by Soil Method
If the stem cutting propagation method of the silvery ann pothos is the easiest, then the soil method is the fastest way to ensure a new plant's growth. Here are the steps;
- Sow the cuttings in a potting mix
- Bury the node inside the soil
- Ensure the soil is moist and place the cutting in a location where it will receive bright but indirect sunlight.
- Give it a few weeks or so, and you’ll start seeing the roots appear even long enough to get a grip on the soil.
Propagation by Division Method
The division method doesn’t require much protocol as you can do it by dividing the present root ball into parts, with each part becoming a new plant.
The perfect time for this is during repotting, as it allows you to skip the rooting process, thereby making everything quicker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are My Silvery Ann Pothos Developing Curling Leaves?
The explanation for this is very simple. If your Scindapsus pictus leaves are curling, it can either mean insufficient water or too much water. However, it can be prevented if you heed the recommended care tips by watering every 7 to 10 days during the growing season and 2 to 3 weeks during the winter season but based on the soil, pot, or temperature.
Why is My Silvery Ann Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow?
The best explanation for this condition could be that your Scindapsus pictus is suffering from excessive watering, which will subsequently result in root rot, especially when nothing is done about it as fast as possible. It’s better to prevent this from happening by allowing the soil to dry out in between watering routines.
Why is My Silvery Ann Pothos Leave Tips Turning Brown?
The most obvious reason for this is that the plant is excessively dry. Even though Scindapsus pictus plants don’t require too much water, that doesn’t mean you should starve them of water. Also, it could mean that the air is very dry; thus, an increase in humidity level is necessary.
Why are My Silvery Ann Pothos Leaves and Stems Turning Black?
It is quite simple. Your Scindapsus pictus is turning black or even dark brown because it is undergoing a later stage of root rot. In other words, you are overwatering it. It must have shown earlier signs through yellow leaves, but you ignored it. So, ensure the top few inches of soil is dry before watering.
What Causes the Sappy Residue on or Under My Silvery Ann Pothos?
The reason your plant is experiencing the unfavorable condition of sappy residue on or beneath is the disastrous effect of a pest called Scale. Scale is a little houseplant insect that feeds on your Scindapsus pictus, thereby reducing its lifespan. It usually releases a sticky residue on the leaves and beneath the plant. You can fight it off via insecticidal spray.
