How to grow and care for silver vine
The silver vine is an irresistible vine to grow at home as an ornament in ampels, climbing the wall or on a trellis indoors. But how do you care for silver vine? Read our guide to getting your silver vine to thrive.
If silver vine gets a plant support, it climbs, otherwise the vine grows downwards as a hanging plant.
Brief botanical information:
The silver vine genus and Scindapsus pictus comes from southeastern Bangladesh to western & central Malaysia where it grows as a climbing vine in the rainforest. The silver vine is poisonous to cats and dogs.
Silver Vine Care: Basic Needs
Light:
Silver creeper thrives best in a bright, indirect location. It cannot handle direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to lose their beautiful marbling and get burnt. Place your silver vine in a bright place where it is not exposed to direct sunlight. A place near a window with curtains is perfect to protect it from the strongest sun.
Silver vine hung from a growing shelf as a hanging plant
Soil:
For the silver vine, it is important to use well-drained soil . A good mix for indoor plants with coconut soil, perlite and bark works great. Silver vine does not like standing in wet soil, so make sure your pot has proper drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming too wet.
Use a transparent plastic pot to keep track of how the roots are doing. White roots are fine, while brown or black roots can indicate root rot, then you know to water less.
Watering:
Silver vine should be watered regularly, but not too much. Let the soil dry out between waterings , so that it does not become too wet. If you use a finger to feel the soil, the top two centimeters should be dry before watering.
When you water, do it slowly, so that the water penetrates the entire soil. Keep in mind that silver vine does not tolerate overwatering, and can develop yellow leaves if it receives too much water.
Temperature and Humidity:
As silver vine is a tropical plant, it thrives in warm and humid conditions. The best temperature for the plant is between 18 and 29 degrees Celsius. To keep it in the best condition, the humidity should be between 40 and 60%.
If you notice that the plant is losing leaves or that the leaf tips are turning brown, it may be because the air is too dry. To increase the humidity, you can place a bowl of water next to the vine or use a humidifier nearby.
Silvervine Cuttings: How to Take Cuttings?
One of the best things about silver vine is that it is very easy to propagate. You can take cuttings and let them form roots in water or sphagnum moss, then plant them in a pot or give as gifts. Here is a simple guide to taking silver vine cuttings:
- Cut a 10-15 cm long cutting from a healthy branch of your silver vine. Make sure the cutting has at least one or two leaf nodes .
- Place the cutting in a glass of water or in moist sphagnum moss. If you choose to put it in soil, be sure to keep the soil slightly moist until the cutting takes root.
- Place the cutting in a place with indirect light , where it is not exposed to direct sun.
- Cuttings should start forming roots within 2-4 weeks . Once the roots have developed, you can plant the cutting in a new pot with well-drained soil.
When Should You Replant Silvervine?
Silver vine grows quickly, so it may need to be replanted every year or every two years, depending on how fast it grows. When you see roots growing through the drainage holes on the pot, it's time to replant the vine in a larger pot.
Choose a pot that is a couple of centimeters larger in diameter than the current one, and fill it with new, well-drained soil.
Common Problems with Silvervine
Yellow Leaves:
If your silver vine leaves turn yellow, it could be a sign of overwatering . Remember to let the soil dry between waterings and avoid giving the plant too much water.
Folded Sheets:
Curled or folded leaves can be caused by several factors, such as too low humidity , too much direct sun, or too much or too little water. Adjust watering, increase humidity and make sure the plant gets enough indirect light. It's often more of a guessing game than anything else!
Brown Leaf Tops:
Brown edges on the leaves may indicate that the humidity is too low or that the silver vine is exposed to drafts. To fix this, you can increase the humidity in the room and make sure that the plant is not in a draft.
A small silver vine in one of our upcycle pots.
Let a silver vine climb with you.
Silver creeper is a fantastic climbing plant that is both beautiful and easy to care for . With the right care, this vine can become a long-lasting and impressive part of your indoor garden.
Place the vine in a bright place , keep the soil moist but not wet and your silver vine will thrive. If you want more climbing plants, it is easy to take cuttings on the silver vine and spread the joy of Scindapsus pictus further.
Silver creeper can be bought online with home delivery directly from our plant shop. Now you know basic silver vine care so you can take care of your vine indoors.
Read more about how you can take care of your other plants and find more tips to create a greener home on our growing tips!
