Scindapsus Silver Lady: Ultimate Guide to Care and Propagation

Introduction

Scindapsus silver lady is a succulent vining plant with green leaves possessing an artistic splash of silver. This is an excellent growing material if you are searching for vines. The leaves appear as if the snow has set on them. The artistic leaves of this plant draw the attention of visitors. The large leaves of this plant make it similar in appearance to its close relative Scindapsus pictus Exotica but a splash of silver over its leaves makes it similar in appearance to Scindapsus pictus Arygyraeus. If you prefer variegated plants, Scindapsus silver lady is the best option. 

This plant is believed to have originated from Southeast Asia and hence it is a tropical plant. Its natural habitat is under the forest canopy which protects it from direct sunlight.  

The height of the plant depends upon the growing conditions. Under indoor conditions, it doesn’t get much taller than 3 feet without optimum light and fertilizer. However, under outdoor conditions, it can grow up to 10 feet tall. 

A quick overview of this plant is given below:-

Growing Places in a House

This plant can be grown in any place where adequate indirect light can be received. East and north-facing windows are ideal for this plant. The eastern location will provide adequate light whose intensity is low. The north location is also sufficient to supply light for the plant without hindering its growth. During winter months when the days are shorter, you can move your plant to a brighter position. The plant can also be grown in a hanging basket. However, it is best suited as a vining plant growing on a particular type of support.  

USDA Growing Zone

This plant will do best in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11.

Characters of Scindapsus Silver Lady

Following are the morphological characteristics of this plant. 

Leaves

This plant possesses heart-shaped leaves with a splash of silver. Generally, leaves come in two forms. Juvenile leaves are oval heart-shaped but mature leaves are pinnately lobed. 

Flower

Like other epiphytes, it is rare to see the bloom of a silver lady plant. 

Toxicity

The Scindapsus silver lady plant is toxic to both humans and pets. The toxicity is basically due to the presence of toxic calcium oxalate crystals. 

Is Scindapsus Silver Lady Pet Friendly?

Like other pothos plants, Scindapsus silver lady is not a pet-friendly plant. So, this plant should always be kept away from the rhea of pets and children. This plant irritates pets and higher doses of ingestion can be more dangerous to them. 

Scindapsus Silver Lady vs Silver Splash

Scindapsus silver lady and Silver Splash are very similar in appearance. However, there is little variation in variegation. The variegation of the silver splash variety is dappled rather than streaked. Also, the leaves of silver splash are more silvery blue in appearance.

Also Read: Philodendron El Choco Red: New Name and Care

Difference Between Scindapsus Silver Lady and Exotica

Sometimes people often get confused between the Scindapsus Silver Lady and Exotica variety. However, there is a difference between them, that is, the leaves of the Scindapsus Silver Lady are thinner than the Exotica variety.

Care 

The Scindapsus Silver Lady plant is a fast-growing trailing vine that prefers indirect sunlight. The light intensity determines the variegations of leaves. As this plant is originated from a tropical region, warm hot climatic conditions ideal. The optimum temperature requirement is 65 to 85 °F with a humidity of 80%. As it is a drought-tolerant plant, it does not require much watering. Overwatering may cause the rotting of roots. Generally, this plant is propagated by stem cutting. A well-potting mix consisting of perlite serves as an excellent growing medium for this plant. In certain parts of the world, water propagation is also followed. In water propagation, the cut piece of the plant is allowed to root in the water, and after rooting it is transferred to the soil.

Light

The Scindapsus silver lady plant prefers bright but indirect sunlight. This bright but indirect light will help the plant to grow faster and maintain its lovely variegation. By keeping them a few feet away from the window, we can provide them with enough light for their proper growth. Under adequate light conditions, they grow faster. However, under dim light conditions, their growth is not satisfactory. Under low illumination, the growth rate will slow down and their lovely variegation could be lost. 

This plant cannot withstand direct sunlight for an hour daily. Even intense sunlight for an hour will burn its leaves. 

Temperature 

Being originated from a tropical region, this plant prefers warm to very hot weather. The optimum temperature for this plant is 65 to 85 ^oF. Under this temperature, the growth of the plant is optimum. The plant prefers year-round sunshine. The Scindapsus silver lady plant is frost intolerant. So, snowfall and freezing temperatures are harmful to this plant. 

Soil

This plant can be grown in a wide range of soil. So, you can grow this plant on a well-drained potting mix you obtain from your local area. This plant prefers soil with high organic matter. The optimum ph ranges between 6.1 to 6.5. Mixing a handful of perlite in a potting mix will make your potting medium excellent. 

Humidity

The Scindapsus silver lady plant is a humidity-loving plant. This plant will perform better if humidity is above 80%. Humidity below 40% hinders the growth and development of plants. You cannot grow this plant under dry climatic conditions and a digital hygrometer for assessing the humidity inside your room. Bathrooms and kitchens generally have higher humidity than the requirement of the plant as water is continuously used there. 

Water

As this plant is drought tolerant, you need not worry if you forgot to water it every so often. You have to be more careful while watering as it is susceptible to overwatering. The prolonged water logging condition will rot its roots. Under rot conditions, the plant will have fewer roots to absorb the nutrients and water from the soil. This will directly hamper growth and development. In case too many roots are affected, the remaining one may not be sufficient to sustain the plant. So, you must avoid overwatering. Under dry conditions, the leaves of this plant start curling. So, by observing its leaves, we can assess the time of watering.  

Fertiliser 

The time and amount of fertilizer depend upon the soil conditions and growth stage of the plant. You can grow this plant without fertilizer. However, without fertilizer, the plant will grow slower and produce fewer leaves. Under tropical conditions where the plant grows throughout the year, you can fertilize the plant throughout the year. However, in colder regions where plant growing period is usually limited to spring to summer. In such conditions, you have to feed the plant during this period. You should not fertilize the plant during the fall season when the plant is dormant. 

Potting and Repotting

For potting, at first, we have to select the pot of the appropriate size. Then by using the locally available soil, we have to prepare the potting mix. Mixing handfuls of perlite in a potting mix makes it excellent growing media. Then plant a  piece of cutting on it. Regular watering should be done and it should be placed under shade. 

This plant should be repotted once every 1 or 2 years. While repotting, the pot should be greater in size than the previously used pot. 

Training and Pruning

Scindaspus silver lady has limited growth. So, pruning is not a big deal. However, you can trim the plant as per your requirement. Trimming is generally done to improve the aesthetic value of the crop. Also, you can trim leggy stems, dead and diseased stems.

Propagation

The Scindapsus silver lady plant can be propagated by various methods. The following are some methods used for propagating this plant: 

1st Method: Stem Cutting/Soil Propagation Method

This plant can be easily propagated from stem cutting and is the best method to grow this plant indoors. The ideal time to do so is spring as the plant is growing actively during this season. Follow the following steps for propagating this plant from stem cutting: 

• Use sterilized scissors for cutting the stem. 

• Take a cutting of 4 to 5 inches having at least 1 to 2 nodes on each. For this, you have to cut the stem just below the node. 

• Select a pot of appropriate size and prepare a potting mix by taking the soil from the local area. 

• Now place a node under the soil and remove any leaves that get into the soil. 

• Then place the pot at a location where adequate indirect sunlight and humidity exist.

• Roots will grow after 4 to 6 weeks. 

2nd Method: Water Propagation Method

Fill the container of the required size with distilled water. Now cut a piece of Scindapsus plant just below a node and immediately place it in water. After a few weeks, you will see the propagating material on the roots. Then transfer it to the soil.

Price 

Prices vary according to the growth stage of the plant. In the USA it is sold at $60. 

Common Problems 

Disorders, diseases, and pests are common problems of this plant. 

Disorders:

• Leaf curling

It is a common disorder of the Scindapsus plant due to water scarcity i.e. if you underwater the plant, the leaf of the plant will curl. So, to avoid leaf curling, water the plant at an appropriate time. 

• Yellowing of leaves

Yellowing of leaves may be due to overwatering or nutrient deficiency.

Pests

This plant is resistant to most of the insects and pests. However, the following insects may cause severe injury to this plant:

• Spider mites
• Mealybugs
• Scales   

Pros and Cons

Final Words 

Scindapsus Silver Lady is a fast-growing trailing vine that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. This plant requires little care and hence it is good for beginners. The characteristic silver splash leaves of this plant are highly appealing. This plant prefers indirect sunlight. High-intensity sunlight may cause scorching of leaves. This is a drought-tolerant plant and can grow under limited water conditions. Also, this plant is resistant to different diseases and pests. Due to the presence of toxic calcium oxalate crystals, it is toxic to both humans and pets. If you are searching for good vines to grow, this plant may be an excellent choice for you.  

FAQS