Satin pothos guide

What it is

Satin pothos is not a true pothos. It is Scindapsus pictus, a cousin in the same plant family. It is sold next to pothos because it trails and grows the same way. The leaves are dark green, heart-shaped, and splashed with silver spots. They feel thick and soft, with a matte, satin finish.

How to tell it apart

Plant	Leaves	The tell
Satin pothos	Matte, thick, silver spots	No shine, and the silver sits in spots
‘Moonlight’ scindapsus	Thick, all-over silver sheen	The whole leaf shines silver, with no spots
True pothos	Glossy, green with yellow or white	Shiny leaves and no silver

Care differences

Satin pothos likes to dry out more than true pothos. Water when the top half of the soil is dry. Its leaves curl inward when it is thirsty, which makes it easy to read. They flatten out again a day after watering.

It grows slower than a true pothos. It handles medium light, but the silver spots are brighter in bright indirect light.

Kinds you will see

• ‘Argyraeus’ has small leaves with small silver spots. It is the common one.
• ‘Exotica’ has larger leaves with big, brushed silver patches.
• ‘Silvery Ann’ has heavy silver over much of the leaf.

Grow it from a cutting

Cut a stem just below a node with two or three leaves. Root it in water or moist soil. Satin pothos roots slower than true pothos, in three to five weeks.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists Scindapsus as toxic to cats and dogs. Like pothos, it contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and stomach.

Buying it

‘Argyraeus’ is common in garden centers and big box stores. ‘Exotica’ and ‘Silvery Ann’ cost more and turn up at plant shops. Look for firm, flat leaves with no brown, crispy edges.