How to Care for a Scindapsus Treubii – The Ultimate Guide

Scindapsus Treubii – also known as the golden or silver pothos – is a stunning species of leafy evergreen aroid native to Southeast Asia. From Thailand to Indonesia and the Philippines, it’s priced for its ornamental beauty and medicinal abilities for treating malaria, stomach pain, and snake bites. Yet, growing Scindapsus Treubii in your home takes a careful hand and a well-maintained environment.

Scindapsus Treubii is a tropical plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. When grown outdoors, it prefers a warm, humid climate and partial-to-full sun. When grown indoors, it does best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light levels. It’s best to grow pothos in rich, well-drained soil that’s watered regularly.

If you’re the proud parent of a Scindapsus Treubii, be sure to provide it with the right balance of light, water, and nutrients to keep your pothos alive. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know to grow these beautiful heart-shaped plants and explain how you can maintain healthy growth year-round.

Background Information

Scindapsus Treubii is a rare tropical plant known by several names around the world. If you manage to find one for sale in your local garden store, you’re more likely to see it called by its common name—either silver pothos or golden pothos.  

These plants are a type of tropical evergreen climbing aroid native to the jungles of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. They are relatively uncommon but have been spotted as far north as Vietnam and as far south as Papua New Guinea. There are two common varieties of Scindapsus Treubii, each with its unique characteristics:

• Moonlight Pothos – Moonlight Pothos are easily identified by their graceful heart-shaped leaves and gentle silvery luster.
• Dark Form Pothos – Compared to Moonlight Pothos, Dark Form varieties are a much deeper shade of green and bespeckled with flakes of black.

Thanks to their fanning heart-shaped leaves and ability to absorb pollutants from the air and soil, Scindapsus Treubii have become a household favorite. They are relatively easy to maintain and can grow up to 3 feet in length, as long as you take time to check their soil and water them every day. Like most tropical plants, though, they require specific amounts of light and nutrition to grow.

Scindapsus Treubii Light Requirements

In the wild, Scindapsus Treubii grows on a vine, reaching upwards from the base of a tree with leaves that expand outwards. With the right nutrients and enough time, these vines can reach heights of 10 feet tall. Of course, this amount of growth is only possible in its native jungle environment, so don’t expect your pothos to reach such extreme heights at home.

As a creeping plant native to the jungle floor, Scindapsus Treubii grows best in an environment rich with bright but indirect sunlight. It can tolerate average amounts of shade as long as the room is well sunned during the day. However, avoid exposing your pothos to harsh direct light, as it can scorch the leaves and kill your plant.

If you plan to grow Scindapsus Treubii outdoors, arrange it around taller, sturdier plants that can provide some shade and structure. If you intend to grow it in a pot indoors, place your pothos on the interior of a room with plenty of natural light. Keep it away from the window but close enough that it can absorb plenty of indirect sunlight.

Scindapsus Treubii Soil Requirements

The soil you grow your Scindapsus Treubii in is just as important as the amount of light it gets. Tropical plants native to jungle environments are used to massive amounts of nutrients left behind from the ever-decaying jungle floor. This constant decay makes the Scindapsus Treubii’s native environment incredibly nutrient-rich, meaning you’ll have to use a soil packed full of organics.

Furthermore, be careful to avoid overpacking the soil. Pothos do not do well in saturated soils or standing water so be sure to use soil that easily drains. Alternatively, you can use succulent soil to avoid oversaturation or add sand to your potting soil to speed up drainage.

The ideal soil mix for Scindapsus Treubii should be:

• 2 parts peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part vermiculite
• 1 part sand

If you can’t find all of these ingredients, don’t worry—you can always substitute with what you have on hand. The important thing is to make sure that the soil is loose and well-draining.

Scindapsus Treubii Water and Humidity Requirements

Scindapsus Treubii is a tropical plant that requires regular watering to thrive. In their natural environment, these plants grow on the jungle floor, where they’re constantly exposed to moist soil and humid air. As a result, they’re used to receiving a lot of water.

When grown indoors, Scindapsus Treubii should be watered every day, making sure that the soil is evenly moist but not soggy. If the soil is too dry, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the soil is too wet, the roots will rot.

The best way to water your Scindapsus Treubii is to use a spray bottle and mist the leaves and soil evenly. You can also water your plant from the bottom by filling the drainage dish and allowing the plant to soak up the water it needs. Just be sure to empty the dish afterward so that the roots don’t sit in water and rot.

When watering your Scindapsus Treubii, always use room-temperature water to avoid damaging the plant. Exposing your pothos to cold or overly hot water will shock the plant and damage its root system.  

Scindapsus Treubii Fertilizer Requirements

Scindapsus Treubii is a fast-growing plant that benefits from regular fertilization. In their natural environment, these plants are constantly exposed to nutrient-rich soil and water. As a result, they’re used to receiving a lot of fertilizer from the jungle floor.

When grown indoors, Scindapsus Treubii should be fertilized once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen. The best fertilizers to use are:

• Fish emulsion
• Seaweed extract
• Composted tea
• Manure tea

When applying fertilizer, always follow the directions on the package. Overfertilizing your Scindapsus Treubii can damage the roots and leaves, so it’s important to use the right amount of fertilizer.

Scindapsus Treubii Pruning Requirements

Scindapsus Treubii grows moderately quickly and benefits from regular pruning. In their natural environment, these plants are constantly exposed to the elements and need to be trimmed back to prevent breakage. As a result, they’re used to being pruned regularly.

When grown indoors, Scindapsus Treubii should be pruned every month or two to encourage new growth. The best way to prune your plant is to cut back the stems to the desired length using a pair of sharp scissors. You can also prune back the leaves to encourage new growth.

When pruning your Scindapsus Treubii, always use sharp scissors or pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Over-pruning your Scindapsus Treubii can damage the roots and leaves, so it’s important to prune only the stems and leaves that need to be trimmed.

Scindapsus Treubii Pests and Diseases

Scindapsus Treubii is susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. In their natural environment, these plants are constantly exposed to the elements and, as a result, they’re used to being treated on a regular basis.

The most common pests that attack Scindapsus Treubii are aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. These pests are attracted to the plant’s sap and can quickly infest a Scindapsus Treubii, causing the leaves to turn yellow and drop off. The best way to treat these pests is to isolate the infested plant and treat it with a pesticide.

The most common disease that affects Scindapsus Treubii is root rot. This disease is caused by overwatering and can quickly kill a Scindapsus Treubii. The best way to treat this disease is to carefully remove the plant from its pot and replant it in a new pot with well-draining soil.

Scindapsus Treubii Care Tips

Now that you know how to care for your Scindapsus Treubii, we recommend following these easy care tips to keep your plant healthy and thriving:

• Always use sharp scissors or a knife when pruning or propagating your Scindapsus Treubii to avoid damaging the plant.
• Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes when potting or repotting your Scindapsus Treubii to avoid waterlogging the roots.
• When watering your Scindapsus Treubii, always use distilled or rainwater to avoid damaging the plant.
• If you live in an area with hard water, be sure to let the water sit out overnight before using it on your plant.
• Fertilize your Scindapsus Treubii monthly with a balanced fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen.

If you suspect that your pothos is diseased or dying, repot it using new soil and inspect the roots for rot.

Final Thoughts

Scindapsus Treubii is an excellent plant for anyone looking for an easy-to-care-for houseplant. It tolerates average interior shading and will thrive in most soils, as long as it doesn’t become waterlogged. So, if you are looking for a plant to add some greenery to your home without a lot of hassle, Scindapsus Treubii is a great choice.