The Silver Splash Pothos is a vining plant excellent for adding a lush look to your interiors. Its dark green leaves are oval-shaped and beautifully variegated. While you might have seen other pothos, this southeast Asian native features less common foliage.
Contrary to other pothos, the variations on the Silver Splash are not as prominent: they elegantly contrast with the dark green foliage. Despite their delicate looks, these plants are relatively easy to care for, provided that you ensure you give them what they need to thrive. To learn more about this variety of pothos, read on!
Silver Splash Pothos Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Scindapsus Pictus Exotica
- Common Name: Pothos Silver Splash
- Plant Type: Perennial
- Flower Color: Rare when grown indoors, only appear at maturity, miniature flowers stemming from a spike.
- Size When Mature: 36-48 inches tall
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Requirements: Bright, indirect light. Avoid strong sunlight.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-12
- Soil PH Range: 6.1- 6.8
- Soil Type: Well-draining and rich.
- Water Needs: Medium. Avoid soggy soil but keep it moist.
- Native Area: Thailand and Philippines
What you Need to Know About Pothos Silver Splash
Pothos Silver Splash are living air purifiers that you should consider adding to your environments to make them look more “jungly.” This plant is easy to grow and versatile: no matter where you place it, it will brighten up any corner of your house.
Be careful if you have pets or kids running around your house: these plants can be slightly toxic to animals and cause some irritation to the mouth when chewed. Also, dogs and cats might suffer from a mild digestive reaction.
How to Care for Pothos Silver Splash
As we mentioned, you won’t struggle to grow and care for a thriving Pothos Silver Splash. However, you will have to recreate the optimal conditions for their development in your house. Don’t worry: just read on the following sections, and you’ll learn everything you must know about growing healthy and stunning Silver Pothos!
Light
These plants require plenty of bright, indirect light. Avoid planting them outdoors if you cannot protect them from the harsh afternoon sun rays. Inside, pick a location next to east or north-facing windows. Consider getting sheer curtains to protect your plant’s leaves from getting sunburned. Remember not to place them somewhere they won’t receive enough light. Inadequate lighting can cause the leaves to become dull and lose their variation. Plus, your plant will stop growing.
Water and Soil Needs
One of the main issues with this plant is overwatering. Yes, Pothos Silver Splash plants like to be moist. However, they’d rather be dry than wet. Soggy soils can cause your plant’s roots to rot, which will, in turn, attract fungal infections that might kill your plant.
Instead, giving too little water to your pothos might cause its leaves to look dull and grown. Under those circumstances, all you have to do is increase watering frequency: your plant will get to its original state within as little as 24 to 48 hours.
As a rule of thumb, only water your plants when the top two inches of the soil feel dry: feel it with your fingers!
To avoid overwatering your plants, you must also plant them in a well-draining potting mix. Avoid using heavy soils as they tend to retain too much water. Instead, choose a loose, fertile type of potting mix. You might reach the optimal conditions by adding peat and perlite to the standard potting mix. Luckily, pH isn’t as relevant. However, you’ll get the best results at levels between 6.1 and 6.8.
Temperature Requirements
Silver Splash Pothos is native to the forests of Southeast Asia, which explains why it prefers moderate to warm weather. The ideal temperature to grow these plants is between 60 and 85F. Do not expose them to colder conditions: your plant won’t probably survive. Instead, try to keep the environment stable: pothos usually doesn’t like changes.
Because of their natural habitats, these plants need humidity to thrive. Keep the levels between 40% and 70% for best results. If you live in a dry region, you will have to mist your plant’s leaves about two to three times a week. You can get a humidifier to keep the environment stable. Also, consider making a pebble tray to increase water retention.
What USDA climate zone can it survive?
You can plant your Silver pothos outside only if you live in USDA hardiness zones between 10 and 12. Even in those locations, you will have to transfer your plant inside when temperatures go below 55F. Indeed, cold weather can cause damage to your plant. Also, protect your plants from the harsh wind currents!
Fertilizer
Contrary to other house plants, Pothos Silver Splash isn’t a heavy feeder. If your soil is poor, you might need to add some fertilizer. Otherwise, your plant will do well even without it. You can, of course, add food to your plant to boost and optimize its growth. However, beware of overfeeding, which might harm your plant. To stay on the same side, apply organic fertilizer only once a month during the spring and summer. If you are using a liquid product, don’t forget to dilute it!
Common Diseases
The good news about growing Silver Pothos is that this plant doesn’t experience attacks from pests and diseases. As we mentioned earlier, the factor you should be careful of is watering.
Pothos Silver Splash Propagation
You won’t face issues propagating your Silver Splash Pothos. Do so from stem cuttings for best results. Only take a couple of four-inches long healthy stems with a couple of leaves on them and place them in potting mix or water. In about two weeks, your plants will develop roots: wait until they are at least one inch long before moving them to a different location. Keep in mind that rooting takes longer in water. Consider dipping your stems in rooting hormone before to enhance your chances of success.
How to Prune Pothos Silver Splash
Pruning is an activity you should engage in to maintain your plant’s health. As the plant grows denser, you might have to trim some foliage back. Doing this will ensure adequate airflow and minimize the spread of disease. Also, remove all unhealthy and dead leaves and stems to boost your plant’s health.
You may want to consider the silver satin pothos if you like the silver splash. They have almost an identical leaf color (silver splash has a bit more silver).