Scindapsus pictus 'Snake scale'

Name background of 'Snake scale' and where S. pictus grows

'Snake scale' is the horticultural name used for this patterned form of Scindapsus pictus.

Wild S. pictus occurs in southeastern Bangladesh, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi and the Philippines, where it climbs in wet tropical forest.

Care and growing needs of 'Snake scale'

• Support: Use a broad textured board so young leaves can lie close to the surface. Secure the newest section of stem loosely until fresh climbing roots take hold.
• Light: Give the whole board bright filtered light, including the newest section of the vine.
• Watering: Once the top of the mix has dried and the pot feels lighter, water thoroughly and allow complete drainage.
• Potting mix: Use bark or coarse coco chips with pumice or perlite, plus enough finer organic material to retain some moisture around the roots.
• Temperature and humidity: Warm indoor conditions around 18–29°C suit the species. Normal room humidity suits it. Keep air moving gently around leaves held close to the board.
• Feeding: Feed with a balanced fertiliser as the label directs while new leaves are forming. If growth along the board slows, stop feeding for a while and restart when new leaves appear.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container or the potting mix packs down and drains slowly.
• Propagation: Take a healthy stem section with at least one leaf joint (node) and root it in warm, lightly moist mix.

Issues that can affect 'Snake scale'

• Lower leaves on the board begin yellowing above wet, dense potting mix: Inspect the roots and lower stem. With a clean, disinfected tool, remove all soft brown tissue until only firm, healthy tissue remains. Discard the removed material and repot in fresh, free-draining mix.
• Brown or grey spotting appears where close-set leaves stay damp: Remove affected leaves, keep the foliage dry during watering and increase gentle airflow along the support.
• Close-set leaves develop dull, wet-looking or wilted areas after cold exposure: Keep the plant warm at a steady room temperature. Water again when the top of the potting mix is dry and the pot has become lighter. Remove areas that stay soft or turn brown.
• Webbing, fine pale speckles, scraped marks or cottony material collect between close leaves: Check the backs of the leaves and the stem for mites, thrips, scale and mealybugs. Isolate the plant. Choose a treatment labelled for that pest on indoor plants and follow the label's repeat schedule.

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 ‘Snake scale’ 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.

Scindapsus pictus: name and meaning

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.