How to Care for Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight?

The thick, silvery green leaves of the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight have also earned the plant the name ‘Sterling Silver’.

The satin finish of the heart-shaped leaves and their silver tint give this plant a special appearance that will certainly step up your houseplant game.

But only if you manage to track one down, because it can be hard to find in nurseries.

So, if you do get a hold of the Sterling Silver, it’s all the more important that you take good care of it. By checking out my plant care tips below, you’ll find that it’s a hardy plant that’s low-maintenance.

Size & Growth

As a trailing tropical plant that’s extremely stylish, the Scindapsus Treubii needs a support structure to really grow into its beauty.

You can use a bamboo stick, a trellis, a totem pole, whatever you like as long as it supports the plant.

With a good support structure to its aid and ideal conditions, the plant will grow quite tall, standing at about 6 to 8 feet tall. Of course, indoor conditions will limit the plant’s size, so it may not grow as tall.

The main attraction of the Scindapsus Treubii is its silver tinted satin leaves, which can grow anywhere from 4 inches to 20 inches.

Light Requirements

As a native of the rainforests of Southeast Asia, this tropical plant isn’t used to being exposed to direct sunlight. This, however, does not mean it doesn’t need any sunlight.

On the contrary, it will thrive in bright, indirect light. Positioning it in a room with filtered light will make sure it doesn’t get too much direct light.

Direct light, especially without any acclimation, will cause scorching on the leaves, which is irremediable.

Don’t place this plant in a shady area either, because the lack of enough light will stunt the growth of the plant.

Watering

When the Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight is feeling thirsty, the edges of its leaves will start slightly curling. I wouldn’t wait that long to water it; these aren’t drought-resistant plants, but if in doubt this is a good indication that your plant is getting dehydrated.

It’s crucial not to overwater or allow the roots of the plant to sit in water. This will cause rotting at the roots and at the base, which can be fatal to the plant.

Simply aim to keep the soil slightly moist. When watering the plant, check that excess water drains out of the pot, and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry before the next watering.

This method will keep rotting issues away. Overwatering is a common problem for tropical plants, so this rule can be applied to the watering regimen of most tropical plants.

Soil Type

To ensure that water drains out of the pot easily and without much of it being retained by the soil, use a well-draining potting mix for the job.

The Sterling Silver isn’t picky about aspects like pH, but it does need fast-draining soil. You can use any mix that fits that description including succulent mixes or mixes designed for other tropical plants.

Temperature & Humidity

While adaptive to a certain degree, the Scindapsus Treubii does best if it’s kept in a location where the temperature stays above 55 F.

If it’s kept outdoors throughout spring and summer, it needs to be taken indoors when outdoor temperatures start falling below 52-53 F.

Because it’s a tropical plant with high humidity needs, do make sure it gets a bit of misting here and there to make up for any lack of humidity in the environment.

If the air is too dry in your home, a humidifier will help increase humidity levels, which will benefit both you and the plant.

Fertilizing

As a foliage plant, the Silver Sterling prefers a fertilizer that is balanced or a bit higher in its nitrogen content. This will keep its foliage lush and growing beautifully.

It doesn’t require frequent fertilizing, once a month is enough. Fertilize only during the growth period, from spring throughout summer.

Stop fertilizing in fall and winter, as the plant prepares to enter, then enters its dormancy phase, when it no longer grows. In spring, you can resume monthly fertilizing once again.

Potting & Repotting

This plant doesn’t need to be transplanted often to a new pot. You can wait until the plant has visibly outgrown its current pot, which can be indicated by roots poking out of the draining holes.

When this happens, transfer it to a bigger pot, but don’t pick a size that’s much bigger. That will prevent the soil from drying out fast enough.

Regardless of the type of pot you choose, make sure it can support the weight of the plant, so it doesn’t fall over. The pot should also allow water to drain.

How to Propagate Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight?

Propagation by taking leaf cuttings is the easiest way to get new Scindapsus Treubii Moonlight plantlets.

Cut leaves just below a leaf node, allowing for 3 or 4 inches of stem as well. Dab the cut end in rooting hormone just to speed up the rooting hormone a little, but rooting will happen without it too.

From here, you have two options — rooting in water or rooting in potting mix. Both methods are fine, I prefer rooting in potting mix, but rooting in water has the advantage of the roots being visible.

Replace the water often to avoid it becoming cloudy or dirty, and if you’re rooting in potting mix, keep the soil moist.

Wrapping Up

While it’s a rare find, the Scindapsus Treubii is a worthwhile choice for a houseplant. It’s low-maintenance and easy to grow if you understand its requirements.

As a novice plant-keeper, there are a few important things to bear in mind about this plant — it doesn’t like to be drowned in water, but it’s also not drought resistant. It doesn’t like full sun, but it doesn’t feel good in complete shade either.

And you should keep it away from cold including cold drafts, cold windows and other sources of extreme cold or extreme heat.

With these in mind, you’ll definitely manage to grow a healthy plant with lush, silvery foliage.