How Do You Care For Scindapsus Silver Lady?
How do you care for Scindapsus Silver Lady? Scindapsus Silver Lady is a lovely houseplant that is ideal for those who enjoy variegated plants. Its green leaves are adorned with striking silver designs. To some extent, it resembles snowfall that has settled on the green vegetation. And this not only gives it a distinctive appearance,…
How do you care for Scindapsus Silver Lady?
Scindapsus Silver Lady is a lovely houseplant that is ideal for those who enjoy variegated plants. Its green leaves are adorned with striking silver designs.
To some extent, it resembles snowfall that has settled on the green vegetation. And this not only gives it a distinctive appearance, but also makes it rather lovely. Consider the following variables while caring for Scindapsus Silver Lady:
Light
Under bright, indirect light, the Scindapsus Silver Lady will grow effectively and provide its greatest hues. This enables the plant to develop more quickly while retaining its exquisite variegation.
That being said, it cannot withstand prolonged exposure to bright light or direct sunlight on a regular basis. Allowing it to remain in this environment will cause its leaves to burn.As such, its optimal position is beside a light window, preferably east- or north-facing.
And the eastern exposure provides it with brilliant early sun, which it can withstand because to its mild intensity. Meanwhile, the north receives less light yet plenty to maintain the plant’s health and happiness.
Temperature
Between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended temperature range for Scindapsus Silver Lady. This enables it to thrive. It thrives in this temperature since it originates in Southeast Asia, which is noted for its warm to extremely hot climate. This is exacerbated in part by the region’s excessive humidity. However, I’ll discuss this further in the next section.
Humidity
Likewise, the Scindapsus Silver Lady thrives in humid environments. It prefers humidity levels over 40% and is OK with levels of up to 80%. If you are unsure about the humidity level in your house or in certain rooms, consider purchasing a digital hygrometer. This will instantly inform you of the humidity level in any room.
Soil
Due of the Scindapsus Silver Lady’s vulnerability to overwatering, it requires a well-draining soil. Additionally, it prefers soils that are high in organic matter and have a pH range of 6.1 to 6.5. You can experiment with a high-quality houseplant potting mix to observe how it performs. This will frequently suffice. However, if it retains slightly more moisture than the plant need, add a few handfuls of perlite.
You may alter the amount of perlite added to the soil to improve drainage based on the plant’s and soil’s response.
Fertilizer
The frequency with which you fertilize your Scindapsus Silver Lady will vary according on your location. For one thing, you may avoid feeding the plant entirely. It is crucial to remember, however, that without it, it would grow slower and produce fewer leaves. Therefore, there is no danger in refraining from feeding it if you prefer not to or are on a budget. If you reside in a tropical climate with year-round sunshine and the plant grows consistently, you can feed it throughout the year.
Pruning
When cultivated indoors, the Scindapsus Silver Lady is not a large plant. In most situations, it will reach a height of three feet. Allowing it to climb allows it to grow somewhat taller, but not much.
This indicates that trimming is not a significant task. And the majority of the pruning you’ll need to perform is aesthetic.
You can trim its vines to shape it or to limit its size. Additionally, trim any leggy stems, dead leaves, or discoloration.
Repotting
Repotted the Scindapsus Silver Lady every 1-2 years. Spring through early summer is the greatest time to do so. Although it is technically possible to do so at any moment.
Propagation
Propagation of the Scindapsus Silver Lady is simple using stem cuttings. This is the finest technique to increase the number of plants in your garden, as it is a variegated plant. The best time to do it is in the spring, when the plant is actively growing. This provides the young plant with an immediate growth surge and a whole growing season before the arrival of winter.
Does Scindapsus Silver Lady need humidity?
The Scindapsus Silver Lady thrives in humid environments, but it is not a tropical plant. For example, if you live in a humid region such as Florida or the gulf coast of Texas, you will encounter few problems keeping it healthy and happy. A humidity level of 50-70% will suit the plant well.
But, should you reside in an arid region such as southwestern desert states or the drier areas of Australia, your Scindapsus Silver Lady could be placed at risk. Unlike the instances of humidity and temperature discussed above, aridity is an environment-specific issue.
In the case of Scindapsus Silver Lady, it is better suited for humid environments. However, that should not be an excuse to neglect it entirely. If you do not own a humidifier, consider placing a wet towel on your plant’s soil in areas where it can remain at risk of dying.
Other than this environment-specific factor, avid gardeners are able to raise Scindapsus Silver Lady successfully in arid regions.
Why Scindapsus Silver Lady leaves turning yellow?
The Scindapsus Silver Lady is a leafy plant. As such, you would expect the leaves to start dropping due to senescence. However, it may not have fully developed its variegation yet.
This is why you may see both yellow and green leaves on the same Scindapsus Silver Lady plant. For example, in my own garden I have a plant that has turned both green and yellow leaves due to senescence. When it was young, however, only green ones were present on its leaves. The following are causes of yellow leaves;
Overwatering: Watering the plant too frequently or regularly may cause yellow leaves on Scindapsus Silver Lady. In this case, it is best not to water it at all.
Pest infestation: An insect that is sucking the plant dry may have caused the yellowing of its leaves. By investing in a pest control service, you can control it.
Inadequate light: Giving your plant too little light may result in its leaves turning yellow. Give it the recommended amount of light, and consider repotting it if the pot was to blame.
Yellow leaves caused by insufficient lighting is the most common cause of yellow leaves.
Insect infestation: Insects that have caused the Scindapsus Silver Lady’s leaves to yellow could be in the soil or may have bored into the plant itself. If this is the case, you should take action immediately!
Underwatering: Watering your Scindapsus Silver Lady too frequently can lead to yellow leaves. This is especially true if your Scindapsus Silver Lady grows in a pot. In this case, you should consider draining the soil.
Low temperature: The Scindapsus Silver Lady is a tropical plant, meaning that it does not like cool temperatures. By keeping it in a cool room, you may cause its leaves to yellow. If you have recently acquired the Scindapsus Silver Lady and are interested in learning how to prevent leaf drop from occurring on your own indoor tropical plants, check out this blog post here.
Why Scindapsus Silver Lady leaves turning brown?
The Scindapsus Silver Lady leaves are not fully developed. If the process of development has been halted, it could turn brown as a result. The reason you see brown leaves is due to;
Low humidity: Just like other tropical plants, Scindapsus Silver Lady prefers a warm and humid environment. For example, if you live in arid regions and do not give your plant enough water, the leaves will turn brown. They grow best in warm climates and direct sunlight where you can maintain 30 to 70 percent humidity.
Watering: The Scindapsus Silver Lady requires frequent watering even when it is indoors. If you are growing it in a pot, you should be sure to keep the soil moist at all times.
High light: The Scindapsus Silver Lady likes to grow in direct sunlight. If its leaves are exposed to too much light, they will turn brown.
Low temperature: The Scindapsus Silver Lady does not like the cold, especially when it is indoors. This is why it is best not to keep your plant in a room that gets very cold during winter. For example, if you live in Texas and your indoor setting is below the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), it would be best to turn the heat on.
Inadequate nutrients: The Scindapsus Silver Lady needs a specific ratio of nutrients and water. If the soil does not contain enough nutrients, the leaves will turn brown if you do not take action.
Soiling: The Scindapsus Silver Lady is a leafy plant, so it can get soiled very easily. If your plant gets soiled badly or falls prey to pests that are eating it up, it could cause its leaves to turn brown.
How do you prune Scindapsus Silver Lady?
The Scindapsus Silver Lady should be pruned in order to maintain its shape. You should also prune it in order to encourage new growth if the plant is not flowering at all. In order to do so, use your pruning shears and follow these steps;
- Prune dead leaves: When you find brown, dead leaves on your plant, you should remove them right away! This prevents the spread of pests and diseases throughout the plant.
- Prune the plant’s stems: When the stems are too long, you should prune them. This helps in keeping your plant healthy at all times.
- Prune the deadwood: Dead wooding your Scindapsus Silver Lady is recommended since it helps in maintaining its structure and shape. Dead wooding also encourages new growth on existing branches.
- Prune the suckers: The Scindapsus Silver Lady can be prone to suckers, which is why it is best to remove them before they take over.
- Prune the shrubs: You can prune a shrub if you want to shape it or cut it shorter. This is usually done in order to remove dead plants, or branches that are crooked and do not fit the plant’s original overall shape.
- Prune the suckers: The Scindapsus Silver Lady can be prone to suckers, which is why it is best to remove them before they take over.
- Pruning plant tips: Some people may choose to prune their Scindapsus Silver Lady tips with the aim of forcing lateral branching. This is a process that helps in improving coverage on the plant.
- Pruning a plant may help it to grow more quickly as well. You should also prune the plant in order to make sure that it stays in its original shape, particularly when you see that it is outgrowing its pot.
When you are pruning your Scindapsus Silver Lady, make sure that you do not remove too many leaves at once. Always start with your smallest leaf and work your way up to the larger ones instead of starting from the highest leaf and working your way down.
How do you repot Scindapsus Silver Lady?
Repotting is recommended when your Scindapsus Silver Lady outgrows its pot. This is especially true if it has been in its pot for more than two years. If this is the case, you should consider repotting your Scindapsus Silver Lady. To do so, follow these steps;
- Clean the roots: Remove any excess dirt from the plant along with any dead roots before you repot it.
- Fill the pot with a good potting soil: Fill your pot with a mixture of peat moss, sand and vermiculite. These are the three most common types of soil used in tropical plants.
- Cut the roots: If it is necessary to cut the roots, make sure that you do not remove more than half of them at one time.
- Fill the pot with a mixture of sand and vermiculite: Fill the pot with a mixture of peat moss, sand and vermiculite. These are the three most common types of soil used in tropical plants.
- Cut new roots: Plant your Scindapsus Silver Lady in a fresh container filled with good potting soil. Replant it at least five to six inches below the surface of its pot, making sure that it is evenly distributed on the surface.
- Water it well: After repotting your plant, make sure that you water it well. This is a crucial step because it allows your Scindapsus Silver Lady to settle in as soon as possible and helps to prevent root rot or pot rot.
- Take note of the pruned roots: Once repotting is done, take note of the pruned roots and let them dry for at least two weeks before planting your Scindapsus Silver Lady again.
- Re-pot every two years: For the first two years, you should repot your Scindapsus Silver Lady once a year. After this time, you should repot every two years in order to keep the plant from getting too rootbound.
- Re-potting your Scindapsus Silver Lady at least once every two years will help it to grow strong and sturdier than it might have otherwise with an insufficient amount of room for growth.
- Move your Scindapsus Silver Lady to a larger pot if you ever feel that it is necessary.
- Move your Scindapsus Silver Lady to a smaller pot if you ever think that it is appropriate.
- Do not allow the plant to sit directly in water after repotting, or right after transplanting it into a larger container. This will only exacerbate the problem of root rot and cause more issues for you in the long run.