Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica'

Cultivation history of 'Exotica' and the species range

By 1999, 'Exotica' was already being grown commercially in Thailand.

Scindapsus pictus is native to southeastern Bangladesh, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi and the Philippines. In the wild it climbs in wet tropical forest.

Care guide for 'Exotica'

• Light: Place 'Exotica' where bright indirect or filtered light reaches the broad leaves along the vine.
• Watering: Water thoroughly once the top of the mix has dried and the pot feels lighter, then let the pot drain.
• Growth: Train the vine up a pole, board or trellis, or place it in a raised pot and let the stems trail.
• Potting mix: Use an organic mix with coarse bark or coco and pumice or perlite so water can drain freely.
• Temperature and humidity: A room around 18–29°C suits S. pictus. Ordinary room humidity works well, with some air movement around the broad leaves and stems.
• Feeding: Feed with a balanced houseplant fertiliser as directed on the label while the vine is growing. If the vine slows down, feed again when a new leaf opens or the stem begins growing.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container or the potting mix starts draining slowly.
• Propagation: Root stem cuttings that include a healthy leaf joint (node) in warm, lightly moist conditions.

Common care problems with 'Exotica'

• A broad leaf or stem section turns wet-looking and quickly becomes soft: Isolate the vine. Cut away wet-looking, soft tissue with a clean, disinfected tool and discard it. If decay has reached the potting mix, repot into fresh mix and keep the remaining leaves and stems dry on the surface.
• Broad leaves begin to curl as the pot becomes markedly lighter: Water thoroughly and let the pot drain. On future waterings, check the top of the mix and pot weight before the leaves begin to curl.
• Older broad leaves yellow while the potting mix stays damp: Take the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. With a clean, disinfected tool, cut away soft brown roots until only firm, healthy roots remain. Discard the removed roots and repot in fresh, free-draining mix.
• Wilted or brown patches follow a period of low temperature: Keep the plant warm at a steady room temperature. For the next watering, let the top of the potting mix dry and wait until the pot feels light again. Remove foliage that turns brown, dry or soft.
• Fine pale speckles, webbing, scraped new growth, raised bumps or cottony clusters appear: Check for mites, thrips, scale and mealybugs. Isolate the plant. Choose a treatment labelled for the pest you find and for indoor plants, then repeat as directed on the label.

If the cause remains unclear, send clear photos of the whole plant, the affected leaves and the potting mix so we can help assess what is happening.

Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How did Scindapsus pictus get its name?

Scindapsus comes from the ancient Greek plant name skindapsos. The Latin adjective pictus means painted, decorated or coloured, referring to the patterned foliage of the species.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Scindapsus in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 21.

Justus Carl Hasskarl first described Scindapsus pictus in 1842 in Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie, volume 9, page 164.