How to Grow and Care for Scindapsus Pictus ‘Exotica’

Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica,' commonly called satin silver pothos or philodendron, is a popular evergreen, climbing houseplant in the Araceae family. Large, heart-shaped green leaves, splashed with shimmery silver-speckled leaves, characterize this stunning plant. While it is a flowering plant, it is extremely rare for the 'Exotica' to produce blooms when grown indoors.

Scindapsus Exotica's growth habit, care, and appearance are similar to many popular pothos and vining Philodendron species; however, this tropical plant is not an actual pothos or philodendron. Exotica needs six to eight hours of bright, indirect sunlight, well-draining but moist soil, fertilizer during the growing season, and temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

All Scindapsus plants are considered toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

Scindapsus Pictus ‘Exotica’ Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing Scindapsus Pictus 'Exotica' plants:

• Needs several hours of bright, indirect light; keep out of direct sunlight.
• Requires well-draining potting soil that retains moisture but doesn't get soggy.
• Water when the first two to three inches dry; don't let it completely dry.
• Keep plants in temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Give fertilizer in spring and summer once a month.
  

Light

In its natural habitat, the Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’ is a forest understory plant, so a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light is best. However, it can also tolerate medium to low light fairly well, although it will produce minimal growth in low-light conditions. Avoid direct sunlight as it will burn the leaves of this tropical plant.

Soil

This plant is sensitive to root rot, so it should be planted in a loose, well-draining potting mix that retains water without being soggy. At the same time, Exotica does best in fertile soil and is rich in organic materials. A combination of equal parts orchid bark, coco peat, potting soil, and perlite makes an excellent soil mixture for these plants that is airy, fertile, and moist but well-draining.

Water

The Scindapsus pictus' Exotica' should be watered once the soil's top 2 to 3 inches is dry. Never allow the plant to dry out completely as this can quickly shrivel the roots, but it also should not be kept consistently wet as this can lead to root rot. In the summer, when it is actively growing, you may need to water your plant every week, whereas in the winter, you can cut back on watering significantly.

Temperature and Humidity

While it is native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, the 'Exotica' does surprisingly well in standard household temperature and humidity levels. That said, it does appreciate some added humidity if it's available. Ensure you don't expose your plant to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius), and keep it away from drafty windows or air vents when possible.

Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica' is most commonly grown as a houseplant due to its strict temperature requirements, but it can also be grown outdoors year-round in USDA zones 10 through 12 if desired. Otherwise, you can move your plant outdoors for the summer—just be sure to bring it back indoors before temperatures drop again.

Fertilizer

In addition to a fertile potting mixture, Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’ appreciates regular fertilizing during the spring and summer months when it is actively growing. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during watering to encourage healthy growth, and stop fertilizing in the fall when the plant begins to enter dormancy.

Types of Scindapsus Pictus

Scindapsus pictus' Exotica' is sometimes confused with its close relative, the Scindapsus pictus' Argyraeus.'

• Scindapsus pictus' Argyreaus': This variety has smaller and darker green leaves. The variegation (speckling) has more defined, less splotchy, and evenly dispersed silvery markings with silvery edges. The word "Argyraseus" means silvery.
• Scindapsus pictus' Silvery Ann(e)': This cultivar has light green, highly variegated heart-shaped leaves.
  

Pruning

Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’ has a vining growth habit, so you may wish to prune your plant occasionally to control its growth and appearance. That being said, the ‘Exotica’ is a slow grower, and pruning is unnecessary.

If you choose to prune your plant, pruning in the spring and summer months is best. Use a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors and prune any stems you wish to shorten. Over time, pruning can encourage a bushier growth habit and a fuller appearance. As a bonus, any stem cuttings taken during pruning can be repurposed to propagate new plants.

Propagating Scindapsus Pictus ‘Exotica’

Similar to its cousin, the Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus,' 'Exotica' can be propagated by stem cuttings fairly easily. Since it is a slow grower, the process does take a bit longer, but with a little patience, you will be growing new plants in no time. To propagate this vine by stem cuttings, follow these steps:

1. Using a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors, take stem cuttings from the mother plant that have between three to five nodes. The nodes are the small bumps along the stem where the leaves and aerial roots grow.
2. Take the cuttings and remove the bottom two to three leaves from the stem by gently pulling or twisting them off. This will expose the bottom nodes along the stem.
3. Prepare a container with fresh, room temperature water and place the cuttings in the container, ensuring that the bottom of the cuttings with the exposed nodes are fully submerged in water while the remaining leaves at the top of the cutting sit above the water's surface.
4. Place the container in a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light, and ensure you change the water once a week to keep it fresh. After a few weeks, you should notice small roots growing from the nodes along the stems.
5. Once the roots are at least 2 to 3 inches long, you can transplant the cuttings from water to soil. Prepare a potting container with a well-draining mixture and plant the rooted cuttings in the soil.
6. Water the freshly planted cuttings thoroughly and place them back in a bright location. Ensure the soil stays evenly moist for the first one to two weeks to help the new roots acclimate to the soil and resume a regular watering schedule.

Potting and Repotting Scindapsus Pictus ‘Exotica’

This Scindapsus does well in the same pot for a few years and does not require frequent repotting. When you repot your plant, do so during the spring or summer. Choose a pot 1 to 2 inches larger than the previous container, and ensure it has drainage holes.

Plastic or terra cotta are both fine for the Scindapsus pictus' Exotica,' keep in mind that if you choose terra cotta, you will likely need to water the plant more often as terra cotta encourages drier conditions by absorbing excess moisture in the soil.

Remove the plant from its previous pot and carefully remove any excess soil from its roots. Prepare the new pot with a well-draining potting mixture and move the plant to its new pot, patting the soil down firmly around the plant's roots. Water the plant well and return it to its original location.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

This Scindapsus is not particularly prone to pests or diseases, but you should watch for common houseplant pests like spider mites, scale, mealy bugs, thrips, and fungus gnats. Regularly inspecting your plant for signs of pests is a great way to catch potential outbreaks early and prevent full-blown infestations. Also, be sure not to overwater your ‘Exotica’ as wet conditions provide the ideal environment for harmful fungi to thrive in the soil, which can result in root rot.

Common Problems With Scindapsus Pictus ‘Exotica’

Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’ is a slow-growing plant that is easy to grow, generally low maintenance, and problem-free. The following common issues can arise when the plant’s growing environment is not quite right.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves can result from a few different issues with your plant, but most commonly, they indicate that your plant is overwatered or experiencing root rot. Be careful not to overwater your plant and allow the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings. If your plant is not overwatered but still developing yellow leaves, it could mean it is underwater or not receiving enough light.

Lack of Variegation

If this variegated plant does not get enough light it will begin to lose its striking silver variegation. Ensure that your Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’ receives several hours of bright, indirect light if you want its variegation remain plentiful.

Stunted Growth

This plant is known for being a slow grower, so don’t panic if you aren’t noticing a ton of growth every year. However, if you aren’t seeing any growth, this can be a sign that something is wrong. Usually, it means that your Scindapsus is not receiving enough light, but it can also result from underwatering.

Curling Leaves

If your Scindapsus has curled leaves, your plant is underwater. These tropical vines enjoy drying slightly between waterings but should not dry out all the way.

From: thespruce