Scindapsus pictus 'Silvery Ann'

Breeding history of 'Silvery Ann' and the species range

'Silvery Ann' is the trade name for cultivar POLSCISIL. Simon Pols bred it for Pols & Brouwer in Rijsenhout, the Netherlands, and in 2015 the cultivar was submitted for European variety protection.

S. pictus is native to southeastern Bangladesh, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi and the Philippines, where it grows in wet tropical forest.

Growing and caring for 'Silvery Ann'

• Light: Place 'Silvery Ann' where bright filtered daylight reaches the whole vine, including the newest leaves.
• Watering: Water when the top of the mix is dry and the pot feels noticeably lighter. Water thoroughly and empty any water that collects below the pot.
• Training: Give trailing stems clear space below the pot, or guide the vine onto a textured pole, board or trellis for climbing.
• Potting mix: Use a chunky organic mix with bark or coarse coco chips and pumice or perlite so the roots stay well drained while the mix retains some moisture.
• Temperature and humidity: Established S. pictus grows well around 18–29°C. Typical household humidity is suitable. Keep light air movement around overlapping leaves and stems.
• Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser as directed on the label while new leaves are forming. If the vine slows down, stop feeding until it starts growing again.
• Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot when roots fill the container or drainage slows.
• Propagation: Root a stem cutting with a healthy leaf joint (node) to start a new plant.

How to troubleshoot 'Silvery Ann'

• Broad silver areas turn crisp at the edge: Check whether the potting mix has become very dry and whether the plant is receiving strong window heat. Move it to a bright spot with filtered light and water thoroughly when the mix is dry.
• A leaf or the point where it meets the stem becomes wet-looking and quickly soft: Separate the plant from the collection and remove wet-looking, soft tissue with a clean, disinfected tool. Discard affected material and keep the remaining stem and foliage dry on the surface.
• Compact lower leaves yellow while the pot stays heavy: Take the plant out of its pot and check the roots. With a clean, disinfected tool, trim away soft brown roots until only firm, healthy roots remain. Discard the removed roots and repot in fresh, free-draining mix.
• New leaves open distorted with scraped or silvery marks: Check the youngest leaves and their undersides for thrips, then inspect for mites, scale and mealybugs. Use an indoor-plant treatment labelled for the pest you find and repeat treatment as directed on the label.
• Fresh grey-brown damage appears across the silver-patterned leaves after a cold journey or draught: Keep the vine warm and the room temperature steady. Before the next watering, make sure the top of the potting mix has dried and the pot feels lighter. Remove leaves that become fully brown, dry or soft.

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 ‘Silvery Ann’ 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.

Why is it called Scindapsus pictus?

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.