Scindapsus pictus 'Tricolor'

Background of 'Tricolor' and the wild range of S. pictus

'Tricolor' is the name used in cultivation for this three-colour form of Scindapsus pictus. Its species has a wide native range that includes southeastern Bangladesh, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. In nature it grows as a climbing vine in wet tropical forest.

Care needs of 'Tricolor'

• Light: Place 'Tricolor' near a bright window where filtered light reaches the full vine.
• Temperature: Warm indoor temperatures around 18–29°C suit S. pictus.
• Training: Guide the stem onto a board or pole for climbing, keeping it close to the support where roots can attach. The vine can also trail from a raised container.
• Watering: Let the top of the mix dry and wait until the pot feels lighter, then water thoroughly and let it drain fully.
• Humidity: Typical room humidity is fine. Light air movement helps around overlapping leaves.
• Potting mix: Use a free-draining organic mix with bark or coarse coco chips and pumice or perlite.
• Feeding: Feed with a balanced houseplant fertiliser as directed on the label while fresh leaves are developing. When cooler or dimmer conditions slow growth, wait to fertilise again until new foliage starts forming.
• Repotting and propagation: Repot when roots fill the container or the potting mix packs down and drains slowly. Root a stem cutting with a healthy leaf joint (node) in warm, lightly moist mix.

Troubleshooting common issues on 'Tricolor'

• A wet-looking patch spreads through green, yellow-green or silver tissue and becomes soft: Separate the vine from nearby plants. Cut away wet-looking, soft growth with a clean, disinfected tool, discard the affected material and keep the remaining leaves and stems dry on the surface.
• Light green or silver areas develop dry tan patches beside the window: Move 'Tricolor' to a bright spot with filtered light.
• Older patterned leaves yellow while the pot remains heavy: Take the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. With a clean, disinfected tool, trim away brown, soft roots until only firm, healthy roots remain. Discard the removed roots and repot in fresh, coarse, free-draining mix.
• New leaves show fine pale speckles, silvery scrape marks or distorted edges: Check the youngest leaves and their undersides for mites and thrips, then inspect the stems for scale and mealybugs. After identifying the pest, use a treatment whose label lists it for indoor plants and repeat treatment at the stated interval.
• Leaves become dull, wilted or grey-brown after a cold journey: Keep the plant in a warm room with a steady temperature. Give the next watering once the top of the potting mix is dry and the pot feels light again. Remove leaves that stay wilted or turn grey-brown and 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 ‘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.