Silver Queen Pothos is a very common houseplant that requires just the bare minimum maintenance to grow beautifully into swirling veins full of naturally marbling leaves. The plant comes from a species called Scindapsus pictus, which is a perennial vine type of plant that is characteristically easy to grow.
They occur naturally in South and Southeast Asia and grow according to the free space around them.
Outdoors, the Silver Queen Pothos can grow to lengths of up to 10 feet, while the most they will grow indoors is about 3 feet. Caring for these plants is really easy. If you are looking for an easy plant to grow at home, and give your personal space a touch of nature, then Silver Satin Pothos is a great one to start with.
Overview of the plant
The Silver Queen Pothos belongs to the Epipremnum genus, a family of flowering plants with aerial roots that can grow around the year. All the plants in this genus are really easy to grow. All they need is a lot of sunlight, and a bit of moisture.
The Silver Queen Pothos can be seen outdoors swirling up around big trees, while they can also be seen indoors beautifying indoor spaces. Even though these plants don’t look like it, they are of a sturdy nature. Their leaves are shaped like hearts and are variegated all over with white spots on top of a dark green color.
The variegation is a result of the naturally infrequent levels of chlorophyll pigment on the leaves. Every leaf on the Silver Queen Pothos will look different due to this varied chlorophyll concentration.
These plants are perennial, so they can grow around the year. Additionally, due to their aerial root system, these plants will grow in both mediums of soil and water.
If you are trying to multiply your collection of Silver Queen Pothos, do not buy more than one at a go. You can propagate these plants very successfully and create as many more of these Silver Queen Pothos as you want.
Care Guide
Silver Queen Pothos thrive best at home in the most regular conditions present. These plants love indirect sunlight and regular room temperatures to grow. Do not keep these plants in direct sunlight as the leaves will get burned off.
The soil mixture for this plant should be able to drain out fast while retaining moisture for long periods. Naturally, the plant grows in the loose soil of tropical lands that are rich in nutrients and minerals.
To replicate the tropical conditions, you have to use very good quality potting soil and add an absorbent component like peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite to it. The perfect ratio for the mix should contain 2 parts of the potting soil with 1 part of the absorbent substance.
If you want to give your Silver Queen more love, then you can add some diluted seaweed fertilizer to it to promote a faster rate of growth. It is very important to use the fertilizer only after it has been properly diluted, so use caution with this step to avoid killing your plant.
Pests And diseases
The most common problem for pothos is an infection of the root called Phytophthora. This disease is caused by imported propagative cuttings, which is basically when the cut stem and roots are planted in the soil.
To prevent the spread of this infection, you have to get rid of the whole plant that was affected. Another way to completely avoid this infection is to use a water medium to propagate your new cuttings.
Another problem you might have to face is a bit more superficial but much easier to get rid of. We’re talking about mealybugs – a pest that has the appearance of soft cotton-like spots.
To remove them, you have to check out the whole plant from stem to leaves, as they can infest it in any part. Once you find the mealybugs, get rid of them with some targeted and aggressive water-spraying. To ensure that your plant is completely free of these pests, put some liquid insecticide on a cloth and give each part of your plant a rub down.
Uses of Silver Queen Pothos
House plants can be very beneficial for the environment indoors. There are some that clean the air by absorbing toxic gases. Fortunately, the Silver Queen Pothos is just itself a plant of such benefit.
These plants clean the air off of hints of toxic chemicals like benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Additionally, they eliminate odors from a room.
There is also the general effect that plants have to calm down our nervous systems after a moment of stress.
Toxicity Levels
There is one small caveat to this plant, which may work as a disqualifying factor for plant-loving homeowners. The Silver Queen Pothos can be slightly toxic to pets, particularly to cats and dogs, if they are ingested.
To humans, these plants may present a sort of cutting hazard as the leaves of the plant contain an insoluble substance called calcium oxalate crystal, which may cause abrasions to the human skin upon contact.
Although none of these effects will be fatal, it is better to practice extra caution when placing and handling this plant. It will be best to keep this plant in a hanging pot beside the window so that it can be less of a hazard to everyone.
Conclusion
Silver Queen Pothos is a great houseplant due to the ease with which it can grow and multiply in regular conditions. The beautifully variegated leaves of this plant also make it quite an accessory with a wide range of furniture accents.
With the bare minimum effort on your part, you can enjoy the benefits of having a very healthy Silver Queen Pothos growing inside your home and giving your rooms a depth of character.
Resources:
https://www.thespruce.com/growing-satin-pothos-5114102
https://www.peasandbeesco.com/plantcare/silverqueenpothos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipremnum
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/pothos/pothos-pet-toxicity.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/peat-moss-information.htm
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/PP/PP34000.pdf