Scindapsus - care at home, types and names

Scindapsus is a prominent member of the Araceae family. The genus includes approximately 25 species found wild in Southeast Asia. These evergreen vines are epiphytic and can climb trees up to 15 meters high. The genus name literally translates as "ivy-like tree." Other common names for this flower include golden pothos, black ivy, and man-killer.

This plant has gained immense popularity thanks to its vibrant, dense, and fast-growing foliage. Its low maintenance makes it suitable for growing in work spaces, warehouses, offices, and stores, while some varieties make excellent additions to gardens and home facades. Even a novice gardener can care for this unusual vine at home, so even a novice gardener can decorate their home with scindapsus, whose decorative qualities can be seen in the photo.

Characteristics of the variety, names and description of species

Indoor varieties are characterized by rich green or variegated foliage. The leathery leaf blades are oval and form alternately on the stem. The root system consists not only of underground roots but also of aerial rootlets, which allow the vine to climb. Scindapsus blooms are rather inconspicuous. The flower resembles an ear of corn, wrapped in a bract like a blanket. Indoor varieties almost never bloom, but their beautiful foliage and low maintenance are considered their virtues.

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Five species of this flower, shown in the photo, are most often grown as houseplants; their names are as follows:

1. Scindapsus Pictus (Painted Plant) is distinguished by its dark green leaves with a silver edge. Silvery spots appear on the leaf surface. This sturdy vine can reach 1 m in length, and in the wild, it can reach over 2.5 m. Large leaf blades grow on short petioles, making them appear to grow directly from the shoot. A distinctive feature of this species is its high resistance to diseases and pests.

   

2. Golden Scindapsus has unusual green leaves with golden spots on the surface. In good light, the foliage shimmers with green, yellow, and gold hues. This unusual foliage has earned the plant the nickname "golden lotus." Unlike other species, this vine has a weaker resistance to disease, so it's important to take this into account when caring for it.

   

3. Scindapsus Neon has striking foliage of a light, almost light green color. The plant's stems are also light green. Small leaves form on elongated petioles. This variety grows quite quickly, so regular pruning is essential.

   

4. Scindapsus Joy is less common in indoor gardening than the previous species. It is primarily grown in greenhouses. The plant is relatively compact, but in hanging baskets, this vine looks very decorative. The climbing stem is covered with green leaves, the outer surface of which is spotted with gray-silver, almost white spots, often resembling a border.

   

5. Scindapsus 'Marble Queen' is characterized by variegated leaves in green and silver tones. Upon closer inspection of the leaf pattern, one can see that the entire surface is randomly covered with light drops and streaks. This feature creates a "movement effect," making it easy to identify the species.

   

Rules for caring for scindapsus at home

This easy-to-grow vine can even be grown indoors, even in conditions unsuitable for most houseplants. However, it does require certain conditions and care guidelines, which, if followed, will ensure a healthy, decorative foliage plant.

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Lighting

Scindapsus species thrive in low-light and shady areas. But that doesn't mean they don't need sunlight. Like all ornamental foliage plants, the plant requires light to maintain the vibrancy of its foliage. Furthermore, lighting affects not only the color but also the luxuriance of the vine.

If the pot is placed in the back of the room, the foliage may fade, and new leaves will be smaller. For proper development, it's best to provide the plant with adequate light. There's no need to install special grow lights, as the light in a regular room is sufficient. Diffused light is ideal, but it should be protected from direct sunlight.

Temperature and humidity

This tropical vine is surprisingly undemanding when it comes to temperature. During its development, it thrives at normal room temperatures (18-20°C). During the colder months, the temperature can be lowered to 16°C. It's important to remember that prolonged temperatures below 12°C can be detrimental to the plant. The vine tolerates higher temperatures during summer, but is sensitive to drafts and sudden temperature changes.

High humidity is beneficial for the plant, so regular misting is essential. Dry air often promotes disease and insect infestations, so humidity levels must be monitored. During the heating season, misting should be increased, and the pot should be kept away from radiators and other heat sources.

Watering and fertilizing

Scindapsus is quite sensitive to overwatering, so water it as the soil dries out. The soil should be 1/3 dry before watering. The water should be settled or rainwater, but it should be warm (room temperature). Overwatering can cause root rot, so water sparingly.

The plant is fed with liquid fertilizer, which should be applied regularly. During the active growth period, feeding should not exceed once every 14-20 days. During winter, feeding is not necessary, but some gardeners recommend feeding the plant once every 1-2 months.

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Diseases and pests

If scale insects, thrips, aphids, or spider mites appear on the plant, an insecticide should be used for treatment. You can purchase Actellic, dilute 10 drops of the product in 0.5 ml of water, and spray the above-ground parts with this solution. For severe infestations, repeat the treatment four times, with a week between each treatment.

The flower rarely gets sick, but if not properly cared for, the following problems may arise:

• the appearance of brown spots on the leaves are burns from exposure to scorching rays, so the plant needs to be shaded or moved;
• If the pattern on the leaf surface begins to disappear, the foliage should be provided with more light;
• Black spots and dying foliage indicate frequent overwatering or lack of drainage. Repot the vine, change the drainage, and water moderately.
• Brown dry spots indicate insufficient humidity in the room, so you need to spray the plant more often and place containers of water near the flowerpot.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

Scindapsus can be propagated by layering, division, and cuttings. The latter method is the most common and simple, so it's recommended for beginners. The procedure is carried out step by step:

1. On an adult plant, healthy apical cuttings are selected.
2. Each cutting is cut below the node, and the cuts are treated with a root growth stimulator.

   

3. The cut part should have several leaves.
4. A soil mixture of moss and sand is poured into a small container and moistened.
5. The cuttings are planted in soil, and the container is covered with a bag or glass to create greenhouse conditions.

   

6. You can also root planting material in a container with water.

Rooting should occur in good light, and the ambient temperature should not fall below 22°C. Root formation takes 2 to 3 weeks. Rooted cuttings are gradually acclimated to the indoor microclimate, after which they are planted in individual pots.

The planting container should be wide but shallow. The flower has no specific soil requirements, as long as the soil mixture is light and loose. You can purchase a ready-made soil mixture, or you can mix equal parts of sand, humus, turf, and peat soil yourself. The bottom of the pot must be filled with a good drainage layer.

Differences between Scindapsus and Epipremnum

Scindapsus and Epipremnum share similar biological characteristics and belong to the same family, Araceae. Distinguishing these plants is very difficult; they are distinguished by the number of seeds they produce. Many species previously classified as Scindapsus are now considered Epipremnums.

For example, the golden scindapsus is currently called Epipremnum aureum, but both names are considered synonyms. The literature often contains conflicting information regarding the species' identity, which is explained by the similarity of the aroid vines. However, the plants also have differences in small, barely noticeable details.

Golden Epipremnum differs from the Painted Scindapsus in its greater tolerance to low temperatures. This variety was previously considered a greenhouse plant. Epipremnum can easily tolerate temperatures down to 10-12°C, while the Painted Scindapsus begins to die if temperatures drop below 15°C.

The main difference between Epipremnum and Scindapsus is the shape of the leaf blade. While the former is characterized by symmetrical leaves, the latter has curved leaves that resemble a comma.

The principles of growing both vines are almost identical, so they need to be propagated using the same algorithm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHzz63XlEdI

Frequently asked questions about growing

Scindapsus is a tropical evergreen vine that creates a wild jungle atmosphere in any room. Its low maintenance makes it suitable for decorating warehouses, work spaces, and theaters. Caring for this ornamental plant is quite simple; you just need to familiarize yourself with the basic requirements.