Scindapsus Pictus Argyraeus - The Classic Satin Beauty
Meet the original and most beloved variety of Scindapsus pictus, the Argyraeus. This stunning plant features dark green heart-shaped leaves splashed with iridescent silvery spots that shimmer and catch the light beautifully. The name Argyraeus comes from the Greek word for "silvery", and one look at those gorgeous leaves will tell you exactly why!
What makes the Argyraeus truly special is the distinctive thin silver edge that outlines each leaf, creating an elegant frame around the dark green and silver patterned foliage. The leaves have a gorgeous velvety, satin-like texture that feels wonderful to touch and gives the plant its popular common name, Satin Pothos.
Despite being commonly called Satin Pothos or Silver Pothos, this plant is not actually a true Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). It belongs to its own genus, Scindapsus, within the Araceae family. The care is very similar to Pothos though, making this one of the easiest and most forgiving houseplants you can grow. It even received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit for its outstanding qualities!
Light Requirements
Argyraeus thrives in medium to bright indirect light, which brings out the best colour and contrast in those beautiful silver markings. While it can tolerate lower light conditions, the silver variegation may become less pronounced and growth will slow. Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves and cause brown patches. An east or west-facing window with filtered light is perfect.
Watering
One of the easiest aspects of caring for this plant is watering. Allow the top 2-5cm of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Like other Scindapsus, the leaves will start to curl slightly when the plant is thirsty, giving you a helpful visual cue. This plant would rather be slightly underwatered than overwatered, so when in doubt, wait a few more days. Soggy soil is the fastest way to cause problems.
Humidity and Temperature
While Argyraeus appreciates moderate to high humidity, it adapts remarkably well to average household conditions. For the lushest growth, group it with other plants or place it in a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen. Maintain temperatures between 18-29°C and protect from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes. Avoid placing near air conditioning vents or heaters.
Soil and Potting
Use a well-draining potting mix that is rich in organic matter. A standard indoor potting mix with added perlite works well, or create your own aroid mix with potting soil, perlite, orchid bark, and coco coir. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Feeding
Feed with Growth Technology Foliage Focus at 3-5ml per litre of water at every watering during the growing season (spring and summer) for optimum results. Add Growth Technology Rootzone at 0.5-1ml per litre every 2-4 weeks to support strong root development. Reduce or stop feeding during autumn and winter when growth slows.
Growth Habit and Display
Argyraeus is wonderfully versatile. Let those beautiful vines trail from a hanging basket or high shelf, or give it a moss pole or trellis to climb. When allowed to climb a flat surface, the plant will develop a unique shingling habit where the leaves lay flat against the support. The leaves may also grow larger when climbing. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.
Propagation
Propagating Argyraeus is simple and rewarding. Take stem cuttings with at least one node, and root them in water or directly in moist soil. Cuttings root readily, especially during the warmer growing months. Once established, pot them up or add them back to the mother plant for a fuller look.
Perfect For
- Beginners: Award-winning easy care!
- Hanging Baskets: Beautiful trailing growth!
- Low Light Spaces: Tolerates shadier spots!
- Climbing Displays: Gorgeous on poles!
- Silver Plant Lovers: Classic shimmer!
Please Keep in Mind
Scindapsus Pictus Argyraeus contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Keep out of reach of curious cats, dogs, and children. The silver variegation may vary between leaves and plants as this is a natural characteristic. Each plant is unique and the photos shown are representative examples of the quality you can expect.
If you are from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase this plant, we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR PLANTS GET TO YOU & HOW YOU CAN PICK THEM UP!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit & Pick Up from the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'BOOK TO VISIT' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE DO NOT SHARE THE GREENHOUSE ADDRESS PUBLICLY BECAUSE ITS OUR HOME ASWELL AS BUSINESS, AFTER YOU BOOK YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL OR TEXT WITH OUR ADDRESS, IF THE GATE IS CLOSED ON ARRIVAL DON'T WORRY WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU :) AND PLEASE NO BIG BOUNCY DOGS AS ITS A SMALL SPACE & PLANTS GET DAMAGED WITH HAPPY TAILS :)
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
