Scindapsus pictus 'Tricolor'

Southeast Asian habitat of Scindapsus pictus

Scindapsus pictus grows through wet tropical forest from Bangladesh and Thailand to western and central Malesia and the Philippines. Its flexible stems attach to tree bark as they lengthen.

Warmth, humid air and filtered light suit this forest climber. A chunky, moisture-holding mix keeps air around the roots. A firm textured support gives ‘Tricolor’ a surface to grip.

How to grow Scindapsus pictus 'Tricolor' at home

Light

Give the three-toned leaves bright indirect light. A little mild morning sun can be introduced slowly. Strong midday light can scorch silver areas and fade the softer green.

Water

Allow the upper layer to dry and lift the pot to confirm it feels lighter. Water the whole root ball, drain thoroughly and wait before watering again if the container still feels heavy.

Humidity and temperature

Warm conditions between about 18 and 29°C suit ‘Tricolor’. Moderate humidity can help new patterned leaves open, especially when paired with light air movement.

Substrate and pot

Use bark and pumice or perlite to keep air around the roots. Coco chips or fibre add enough moisture retention. Use only enough fine material to prevent the mix from drying immediately.

Growth and support

Climb ‘Tricolor’ on a wide board to line up its patterned leaves, or allow the flexible stems to hang freely. Secure only the stem and leave the heart-shaped blades untied.

Feeding, pruning and propagation

Use a light feed whenever the vine is producing fresh leaves. Prune an overlong vine above a leaf joint and retain healthy green growth alongside strongly patterned sections. A stem cutting with at least one leaf joint can be rooted in warm, humid conditions. Repot when roots fill the current container, keeping the support stable during the move.

Scindapsus pictus 'Tricolor': problems and solutions

The three foliage tones look muted

First remove dust or mineral residue with plain water and a soft cloth. Existing colour placement is fixed and natural contrast varies between leaves. Bright filtered light supports compact new growth. The pattern on an older leaf remains unchanged.

Pale or silver areas develop dry scorch marks

Direct sun, hot glass and repeated dehydration can mark the lighter tissue first. Move the vine away from strong direct sun, keep watering steady and protect an opening leaf from dry airflow. Later foliage shows the result of the change.

The three-toned vine becomes sparse and small-leaved

A loose stem cannot grip and size up well. If the stem still sits firmly against its support, check whether the plant needs brighter filtered light. Guide it back onto a broad board, improve filtered light gradually and inspect the roots if the change follows a period of slow-drying soil.

Several leaves yellow and the stem base becomes soft

Persistent moisture can damage the roots in a cool, dim or oversized pot. Remove rotten sections, repot in a chunky substrate and choose a container that fits the healthy roots closely. Allow the upper layer to dry before watering again.

Pale stippling, scratched patches or cottony deposits appear

Inspect all three-toned leaf surfaces, the stem joints and the side facing the support. Mites cause fine speckles, thrips leave silver scars and black dots, and mealybugs gather in white clusters. Isolate the vine and repeat treatment until new growth stays clean.

Scindapsus pictus ‘Tricolor’ 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.