Satin Pothos vs. Philodendron Silver - Care

Common name: Silver Philodendron — Common name: *Silver Philodendron*

Common name: Satin Pothos — Common name: *Satin Pothos*

Two plants that often get confused as the same. The first is commonly referred to as 'Silver Philodendron', the second as 'Satin Pothos' but confusingly have both been botanically filed under Scindapsus pictus.

The Answer

According to @stamenandstem, who clarifies for us: "The S. pictus on the right is the variety ‘Exotica’ and the one on the left is the variety ‘Argyraeus.’ At one point, they were classified in the same genus as Epipremnum, which is where the confusion comes from. They’re neither pothos (Epipremnum) or philodendron - just common names that are constantly confusing ... same species, different varieties."

Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus’ indoors, several feet away from a south-facing window. — Scindapsus pictus ‘*Argyraeus*’ indoors, several feet away from a south-facing window.

Similarly, Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’ indoors, inbetween two south-facing windows. — Similarly, Scindapsus pictus ‘*Exotica*’ indoors, inbetween two south-facing windows.

A Closer Look

Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus’

Smaller leaves that lay flat
Variegation appears more sparse
Higher contrast with variegation

Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’

Large leaves that curl at the edges
Variegation appears splotchy across large areas of leaf surface
Lower contrast with variegation

Scindapsus pictus ‘Silver Ann’

For fun, let's add 'Silver Ann' which is extremely similar to 'Exotica' but with higher variegation. Often half the leaf is silver, sometimes the entirety!

Plant Care

LIGHT:

Medium to low light. These plants are truly versatile and can tolerate dimmer settings.

WATERING:

Keep moderately moist, allowing drying out inbetween waterings. Not particularly sensitive to humidity.

TEMPERATURE:

Above 15°C, not frost tolerant.

SOIL:

All-purpose potting mix.

Why are the tips of my plant sparse?

These plants like to climb so the vines tend to shoot long and sparse with aerial roots that search for wood to adhere to. It's often why the tips of your plants become so sparse. Because as houseplants often keep these in hanging baskets, and therefore these tips aren't able to cling to surfaces, regular tip pruning will keep them tidy and well-shaped.