Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight Care – Growing Moonlight Pothos

Houseplants, Pothos / By
Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight

Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by Admin

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is a rare and beautiful houseplant that goes by many different names including:

  • Scindapsus Moonlight
  • Moonlight Pothos
  • Sterling Silver Scindapsus
  • Scindapsus Pictus Sterling

It is also worth noting when then people talk about the Scindapsus Treubii, there are two varieties that they are referring to. These are the

Both are rare and expensive, at least in most cases. But, you can actually find a few that are sold quite affordably if you search enough.

Another thing I’d like to mention is that Costa Farms uses the name Sterling Silver plant or Sterling Silver Scindapsus to market the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight. So, they are one in the same plant but with a different name.

Again, this is why plant names can be confusing.

Above you’ve probably noticed that the plant is likewise called the moonlight pothos.

However, it is not a photos. Instead, it is a Scindapsus which is a completely different genus from pothos but is very closely related. Scindapsus are members of the Araceae family which makes the Treubii Moonlight an Aroid (like the philodendron and monstera plants).

And while it loves very similar to the Silver Satin Pothos, the Scindapsus Moonlight is a different plant.

Hopefully, all that helps clarify any potential confusion that may surround the plant.

What is Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight?

As mentioned, the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is a rare plant. And it is sought after because of its beautiful leaves that have a unique feature, they’re silver color.

It is a climbing plant that features beautiful green leaves that seem to be covered by a layer or silver paint. It is the sibling of the more popular Scindapsus pictus and the Scindapsus officinalis.

The plant is native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. Thus, it is used to warm, humid conditions.

 

Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight vs. Dark Form

Bothe the Scindapsus Moonlight  and Dark forms varieties of the Scindapsus Treubii. But you can easily tell the difference because of the way they look.

Both plants have similar growth habits and leaf shapes. Caring for them is likewise the same. But, the color of their leaves allows you to differentiate one from the other.

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight has oval-shaped leaves that are green in color but have a silver sheen over it. This makes it very unique looking.

The Scindapsus Dark Form features darker green leaves that look black color under certain lighting angles. It also does not have any silver color which makes the two plants look very different.

As far as beauty looks, the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is easily the winner. Nevertheless the Dark Form is still a plant that looks amazing.

 

Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight Plant Care

Moonlight Pothos Light Requirements

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight thrives in moderate to bright light. It likewise enjoys more light than all-green foliage plants because of its silver leaves.

That said, avoid leaving it in under direct sunlight or very intense lighting because this can burn its leaves, although the plant will survive.

If this happens, or you see any discoloration in its leaves from full sun, trim off the damaged sections and move it to somewhere with a bit less illumination. This will allow it to grow again.

On the other hand, the plant can also tolerate low light. However, it is not able to withstand too little light. Again this is due to is silver leaves.

The non-green portion of the leaves don’t collect light. Neither do they take part in photosynthesis.

As such, the plant needs more exposure to bright light in order to produce enough food and energy to sustain growth. With of light, you’ll notice the silver parts of the leaves turn more green.

It does this because it produces more chlorophyll which are the components that absorb light in leaves. They’re also what gives leaves their green pigment.

Outdoors, the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is best suited for partial shade.

 

Moonlight Pothos Temperature

The Moonlight Pothos is a tropical plant. This means it is used to warm weather all year round where the sun is up and there is no slow or frost during the wintertime.

This also means that the plant is not accustomed to cold weather because it has never had to deal with it. Thus, it cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees.

So, it does best outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10b to 12. But it anywhere below that, you’ll need to bring the plant back indoors once the weather gets colder towards the end of the year. Otherwise, the plant won’t survive the winter cold.

Indoors, its ideal temperature is between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This similar to what we humans enjoy most, making it easy for the plant to adapt to indoor conditions.

That said, you still want to avoid sudden temperature fluctuations which can stress the plant. Keep it away from heaters, air conditioners, radiators and open windows where cold drafts can come in.

 

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Humidity

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight enjoys moderate to high humidity, ideally at 60% and higher. This allows the plant grow the fastest because it feels closer to what it is used to in its natural habitat.

However, the Sterling Silver Scindapsus is fairly hardy and does not have any issue with 40% humidity. This makes it easier to accommodate the plant indoors without having to do anything special.

If you live somewhere drier, you may want to consider getting humidifier.

Other options include misting your Scindapsus Moonlight every few days, placing it on a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants.

The main symptom you want to watch out for are crispy tips and browning leaf edges. This is a sign of dryness which means it needs more humidity. Otherwise, it means the plant tolerates your home’s air moisture level well.

 

How Often to Water Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight

Because the plant is an aroid, it does not like being overwatered. This makes it similar to other Aroids including monsteras and philodendrons.

As such, good drainage is very important. This includes both the soil and the pot.

I’ll cover the potting mix (soil) in the next section. With the pot, you want to have a drainage hole at the bottom to let excess liquid escape.

The other aspect is to avoid watering too often.

The easiest way to avoid this is to use your finger to feel the soil. If the top 2 inches of soil is dry, you can water again. But, avoid doing so before then.

Just stick your index finger into the soil until the second knuckle. When you take it out feel the tip of your finger to see whether there is any moisture. If it feels dry water. If not, wait and test in a few days.

On the other hand, the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is quite hardy to under watering. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about being late a bit.

However, avoid letting the soil go completely dry.

When this happens, you’ll notice the plant’s leave start curling. It will wilt as well and some leaves will have some browning especially in the edges.

These are all signs that it lacks water.

 

Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight Potting Soil

The best soil for your Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is an Aroid mix. You can pick one up from your local nursery or online store if they carry one.

If not, you can create your own. Here’s an aroid potting mix that works well for the Scindapsus, philodendrons and monsteras.

  • 1 part potting soil
  • 1 part perlite
  • 1 part orchid bark
  • ½ part horticultural charcoal

That said, the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is not fussy about soil. And it does quite well with good quality potting mixes. Therefore, you can pick up a regular houseplant mix and use that.

If you want to give it extra drainage, add some perlite or pumice.

Another option is succulent mix that contains some sand (which improves drainage).

 

Fertilizer

Apply good quality houseplant fertilizer once a month during spring and summer. While the plant will survive without it, feeding your Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight the proper nutrients will let it grow faster and produce larger leaves.

That said, the kind of fertilizer is not as important as making sure you use fertilizer. The only things you need to keep in mind when feeding the plant are:

  • Avoid overfeeding
  • Don’t feed it in the winter
  • Avoid adding fertilizer when soil is dry. Water it first if this is the case
  • Always dilute the concentration by 50%

 

Moonlight Pothos Pruning

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight can be a slow, moderate or fast grower depending on a few things.

  • How you take care of it
  • The way you display it

The former includes how much sun, water, what kind of temperature, humidity, soil and other things it gets. The latter is whether you have it in pot, hanging basket or allow it to climb.

Most home growers will give it the proper requirements (which is fairly easy since the plant is low maintenance). So, it is often the second par that affects the growth,

Because the plant climbs in its native habitat, that is what it likes most. Thus, if you stake it, give it a pole or something to climb, you’ll see it grow quite fast. And, it will likewise produce bigger leaves.

On the other hand, hanging is usually the slower method. You’ll also see the lower part of its trailing stems become leggy after a while.

That said, any kind of display works depending on how you want it to look. It just affects how quickly your Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight grows and the kind of leaves it produces.

This also means that the faster it grows and the longer it gets, the more pruning you will need t d.

 

How to Propagate Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight

Stem propagation is the best way to grow more moonlight pothos. Although there other methods you can use including division and starting from seed.

With stem propagation, you’ll be taking stem cuttings and growing them into new plants. Just as importantly, the new plants will become clones of the parent. So, you know what you’re getting.

Here, you can propagate the stem cuttings in water or in soil. So, there are two ways to do it.

Here’s how each works.

Begin by taking a healthy stem that is a few inches long (3 to 5 inches). Make sure to get a cutting with at least one node. Also, pick a stem with ate least a few leaves on it.

To propagate the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight in water:

  • Place the cutting in a glass jar or container. Make sure the node in submerged in the liquid.
  • Remove any leaves that end up touching the water.
  • It will take a few days to a little more than a week before you’ll see small roots begin to grow.
  • When the water starts to become murky, change it.
  • Keep the cutting in a well-lit spot that is moderate to warm.
  • In about 3 weeks or so, the roots will get longer.
  • One they get to 2 inches or longer, you can pot them up.

To propagate the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight in soil:

  • Instead of placing the cutting in water, you can directly plant it in soil.
  • Use moist, well-draining potting soil and make sure to bury the node under the surface.
  • Keep the soil moist and leave the cutting in a well-lit location.
  • After 3-4 weeks, it will develop roots that will take hold of the soil.

 

How to Repot or Transplant Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight only needs repotting one every 2 or so years. Again, this will depend on how quickly the plant grows. Thus, I prefer to see how the plant is doing instead of relying on number of months.

The best way to tell is to check the holes under the pot. Once the roots start coming out of the holes, it is time to repot the plant.

When you do, have a container that is one size larger ready along with fresh potting mix.

Then carefully take the plant out of its pot and check the root ball and its roots.

 

Is It Toxic/Poisonous to Humans, Cats & Dogs

The plant is toxic to humans, cats and dogs when ingested. So, as pretty as it looks, it can dangerous to keep it within reach of children and pets.

It is worth mentioning the plant is not deadly even when parts of it are consumed. But it can cause mild to serious mouth and stomach issues like swelling and vomiting.

 

Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight Problems & Troubleshooting

Moonlight Pothos Pests and Diseases

The Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight rarely experiences pest. But it can happen.

So, you cannot let your guard down.

It is likewise a good idea to regularly wipe dust that has collected on its leaves. You don’t have to do this once a week or once every 2 weeks. Just do so when you notice dust building up.

You can likewise take that opportunity to inspect the plant for pests or other problems.

If you experience any pests, spray them off with water. Alternatively, you can use neem oil or insecticidal soap.