Spotted Ivy: Care, Location & Propagation

The spotted ivy combines ease of care, long, overhanging shoots and decorative leaves, which makes it a popular houseplant.

The silvery patterned leaves make the spotted ivy (Scindapsus pictus) a real eye-catcher. The pattern varies depending on the variety. You can find out here which variants there are and how to care for the undemanding spotted ivy.

Spotted ivy: characteristics and origin

Native to Southeast Asia, the spotted ivy (Scindapsus pictus) belongs like the classic ones ivy (Epipremnum) to the arum family (Araceae). It can even be found in northern Australia. The twining foliage plant is also very popular as a houseplant. It can be wound around climbing aids by hand or hang out of a hanging basket and forms tendrils up to 3 m long. These are equipped with green leaves that are decoratively silvery spotted or patterned and have a silky shiny surface. They are heart-shaped and very similar to ivy leaves except for pattern and feel. There are also small aerial roots on the shoots, with which the spotted ivy can cling to climbing aids such as coconut fiber sticks. The spadix flowers, which are typical of the aroid family and surrounded by a bract, the spathe, are only formed by the spotted ivy in nature - but rarely as a houseplant.

The most beautiful Scindapsus pictus varieties

There are some varieties of the spotted ivy, which differ in particular by their leaf pattern. Sometimes they work Scindapsus pictus- Varieties are almost completely silver and hardly green.

• Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus': Has rather small, silvery spots and slightly smaller leaves.
• Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’: Appears almost completely silver due to the large-scale pattern.
• Scindapsus pictus 'Trebie': Also with large, silvery spots and a green central stripe.

• Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Ann': Has irregular, large patches of silver.
• Scindapsus pictus 'Silver Splash': Shows faint light green spots on leaves.

Planting spotted ivy: location and procedure

Preferred as a houseplant Scindapsus pictus a location that is bright and warm. It can also be darker - but this means that the silver leaf pattern is less pronounced and Scindapsus grows slower. A temperature of around 20 °C is ideal for the spotted ivy, it can also be a little cooler or warmer. It likes colder than 15 °C Scindapsus though not. The substrate is a high-quality potting soil such as ours Plantura organic universal soil ideally suited because it retains its loose structure over a long period of time and can store the irrigation water well. Before you plant the spotted ivy, it is best to create a drainage layer of coarse material, as this will prevent the roots from suffering from waterlogging. In addition to too cold temperatures and too much direct sunlight, water-saturated soil is a main care mistake in the spotted ivy.

Tip: Seen because of the long, leafy shoots Scindapsus pictus particularly decorative in a traffic light pot.

Care of the Scindapsus pictus

Also because of the low maintenance effort, the spotted ivy has become a popular plant for the home and the office. But it doesn't work entirely without occasional attention. But how do I take care of it now? Scindapsus? The following measures should be heeded so that the spotted ivy grows and stays healthy:

watering and fertilizing

As far as watering is concerned, the spotted ivy has a medium water requirement. This means that the top layer of soil should always dry out slightly between waterings. Excess liquid should be removed a quarter of an hour after watering to prevent root rot. Soft, lime-free rainwater is best for watering Scindapsus suitable.

In order to imitate the humidity of the tropical home region, the spotted ivy should also be sprayed with water from time to time, or you can place a bowl of water nearby.

The nutrient requirement is best met by a liquid fertilizer such as ours Plantura organic indoor & green plant fertilizer, covered. This can be easily introduced into the soil with the irrigation water, so that no further care step is actually necessary. A nutrient application is sufficient in the growing season about every 2 to 4 weeks - in winter there is no fertilization.

Cut

Grows Scindapsus too sprawling or if the long shoots are in the way, you can cut the spotted ivy at any time. However, it is best to use scissors in the spring. Then you can use the cut shoots for cuttings propagation.

repot

Spring is also the time to repot the spotted ivy. Every 2 to 3 years and at the latest when the roots grow out of the pot, it is time for a larger container and fresh soil. To do this, carefully lift out the spotted ivy. Remove as much substrate from the roots as possible before planting in a new pot with a drainage layer.

Why does my ivy have yellow leaves?

There are various reasons for yellow leaves on the spotted ivy. A wrong location is usually responsible, or the care of Scindapsus pictus is not going quite as it should. Possible reasons include:

• waterlogging: Does not tolerate the spotted ivy at all; if the substrate is very damp and smells unpleasant, should Scindapsus to be repotted cut off rotten roots and water less in the future; excess water must always drain out of the pot.
• Cold and draft: Can also be responsible for discoloration and leaf shedding; look for a sheltered location without drafts for the spotted ivy; high humidity and appropriate temperatures should be observed.
• Direct sun: Causes stains on the leaves; such "burns" can be prevented by not placing the plant in an unprotected south-facing window or other location with high solar radiation.
• Dryness: Mainly leads to curled leaves; if the spotted ivy is curling up the leaves and these may change colour, it is probably not getting enough water; it is best to submerge the entire pot in lukewarm water until bubbles stop rising, and water more regularly going forward.

Multiply spotted ivy

To multiply the spotted ivy, cuttings are an easy way. These are best cut in the spring when the growing season begins. So not only the cuttings, but also the mother plants quickly sprout again. For the cuttings, first prepare one or more small pots with growing substrate, such as ours Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil, in front. Our soil is peat-free, permeable and equipped with fewer nutrients than the universal soil, so that the young plants are encouraged to form more and strong roots. Now proceed as follows:

1. Cut off one or more shoots from the mother plant, which must have leaf nodes and at least one leaf.

Tip: Leaf knots are slight thickenings on the shoot from which leaves and later new roots emerge. You can also cut a branch into several sections, each of which can be used as a cutting – as long as there are leaf nodes and leaves on each shoot.

1. The cuttings are placed in the ground with the cutting point down and the substrate is well moistened.
2. It is best to put a plastic bag over the plants at the end to increase the humidity. Air the bag once a day to avoid mold growth.

Put everything in a bright and warm place at around 20 to 25 °C and repot the cuttings in nutrient-rich soil as soon as some roots and leaves have formed.

Is Scindapsus pictus poisonous?

The spotted ivy is poisonous - not only to humans, but also to pets that eat plant parts. This is due to the needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals contained in the plant. Consumption may cause skin irritation, diarrhea or vomiting. When repotting, cutting and propagating Scindapsus pictus gloves should therefore be worn.

Another creeper that looks similar to the spotted ivy is philodendron scandens, even tree friend called. You can find out how to keep it as a houseplant with us.