Silver-spotted philodendron

Description

For sunlight requirements, the Silver Satin Pothos prefers partial shade. With bright to moderate indirect light, this plant will thrive and leaves can grow as large as your hand. Ensuring that this plant has room and the ability to vine upwards will also help this plant grow to new heights (literally!). So consider placing a moss pole or trellis in the pot for the stems to climb (it may take some training and time). Another option that many people prefer is to allow the plant to vine along a wall (again with help) or cascade down a piece of furniture.

As for water, allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering again. The Silver Satin Pothos will not tolerate soggy soil, so one of the biggest tips for keeping this plant thriving is to not overdo it with water (when in doubt remember that this plant will recover better from underwater). Too much water will leave the plant vulnerable to root rot and eventual death. If the leaves begin to curl or shrivel (and the topsoil is dry), then this is a key indicator that the plant is past due for proper watering. It’s helpful to give the plant a healthy, full dose of water by supplying until the extra water trickles from the bottom of the pot (assuming it’s in a nursery pot or planter with drainage, which it should be!). Allow the excess water to drain out (perhaps over a sink) and put the plant back while making sure no standing water is left over.

This plant also loves humidity (it is from the rainforest after all), and providing enough moisture can become important. If the leaves ever show browning or drying out, consider supplementing with extra humidity. You can do so by placing a pebble tray filled with water at the bottom of the plant (just make sure there’s no water touching the soil or roots). Shy away from misting this plant with water as its velvety leaves sometimes capture too much. When this happens the Silver Satin Pothos becomes vulnerable to bacterial and fungal leaf growth (which can be seen as a mixture of brown & yellow spots). However if your plant does experience this abnormal growth, don’t be too alarmed– just trim away the affected areas.

During the spring and summer months, the Silver Satin Pothos will appreciate (and need) some fertilizer. Any common houseplant fertilizer found in stores will do. We recommend granularly and applying half of the recommended amount about once a month.

And after about a year or two (or when you start to see roots coming out of the bottom pot), you will need to report your plant to support new growth. That means upsizing a few inches depending on the level of the root system.

Difficulty: Easy

Light: Bright indirect sunlight

Watering: Water twice a week

Place: Bright indoors, shaded outdoors

Character: Air-purifying