Silvery Ann vs Silver Satin Pothos: What’s The Difference?

Scindapsus pictus or in other words Pothos is a real hit among house plant lovers today. And this is understandable since there are many versions of this plant, from green-leaved to exquisite and rare variegated varieties and cultivars.

The main difference between the Silvery Ann and the Silver Satin is their leaves. Silvery Ann Pothos has more variegated leaves than Silver Satin Pothos. The variegation of Silvery Ann is more chaotic while Silver Satin has more regular variegation.

In addition, the leaves of Silver Satin Pothos are larger than those of Silvery Ann Pothos. Accordingly, the size of the plants is also different. Silver Satin is larger than Silvery Ann which results in some differences in care.

Leaves

Silvery Ann has an unambiguously larger chlorophyll-free tissue area than its competitor. The pattern is also more chaotic. Sometimes the leaf may have large gray-white islands in the middle, and sometimes half or even almost the whole leaf is white. Although the main leaf area can be green with single whitish spots on it.

Silver Satin has a more regular pattern and less white tissue. Usually, the center of his leaf is green and the center of both lobes of the leaf white or grayish-white. The leaf margin is mostly green, but can also be variegated. The leaves of this variety are never completely white.

The next difference is the size of the leaf. Silvery Ann leaves are smaller and are usually no more than 4 to 5 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. Whereas Silver Satin leaves can be 6 inches or more in length and 4 or more in width. This is the size of a pothos leaf that grows indoors in pots, but under native conditions, the leaves may be larger.

Read also: What hydroponic system is best for cucumbers?

Growth habit

Both varieties are vine-like, in native conditions, they cling to the bark of large trees and grow upwards. However, their size is different. Of course, it all depends on the growing conditions, but if they are equal, the size will not be the same.

With less chlorophyll, Silvery Ann leaves produce less energy and the plant grows more slowly. An indoor-grown adult will usually be less than 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. To achieve this height you will need to use a prop, such as a moss pole.

Silver Satin on the other hand has larger leaves with more chlorophyll. This makes it grow more vigorously and quickly. The size of an adult plant can easily reach 10 feet tall and 3-4 wide. So it is a larger plant that requires a little different care than the Silvery Ann.

Sunlight

As for light, both varieties need bright light but not direct sunlight. This is since pothos grows under the canopy of huge trees where there is the diffused sun. But the climate in their natural habitat is very sunny so they get a lot of indirect sunlight.

For the Silvery Ann and Silver Satin to thrive they must be placed on the side of a south-facing window. Also suitable east or west window. Near the northern window, these plants would not have enough light, in which case you will need to use the additional lighting.

The Silver Satin will grow faster with the same amount of light and the Silvery Ann will have more white. The less light the slower they will grow and the less white you will see.

Soil

Both Silver Satin and Silvery Ann need good quality soil. In most cases, a potting mix will do. The most important thing is that the potting soil should be disease and pest-free, which means that you should not skimp here. You can also make your own potting soil mixture or buy special dirt for aroids.

There are also ways to grow pothos in peat moss or bark. But this is a complicated method and if you are not experienced in it, you will be better off with a ready-made solution.

As for pots, a 5 to 6-inch pot is enough for the Silvery Ann. But the Silver Satin is a larger size so you should go with an 8-9 inch pot. You will also need a little more soil accordingly. The pots must have large drainage holes

Water

There are slight watering differences between the Silver Satin and the Silver Ann. If you are planting in regular potting soil then you should water about once every 7 to 14 days. You have to let the soil dry out halfway between waterings.

Silvery Ann grows a little slower and has a smaller leaf area, so the soil will dry out more slowly. As a result, you will have to water it once every 10-14 days. To be sure, check the moisture in the pot with your finger. If it is half dry then it is time to water. You need to give as much water as possible to get the soil wet, don’t worry, the excess water will flow out through the drainage holes.

Silver Satin is a more vigorous plant with larger leaves, so it uses more water. The soil in the pot can dry out faster and you will have to water every 7 to 10 days. A good solution is to use a soil moisture meter, then you will know for sure when to water. Again, the dirt should dry out about halfway between waterings.

Avoid watering too often as pothos can easily get root rot. For this very reason, winter watering should also be reduced to once every two to three weeks. Also, the amount of water in winter should be less.

Growing conditions

As far as growing conditions are concerned, both varieties are completely similar. They can tolerate temperatures from 60 °F to 70 °F. Lower temperatures will retard their growth. Beware of placing them near an air conditioner, as even short-term cooling can leave noticeable damage on the leaves.

As for humidity, both plants can easily tolerate the normal humidity of a living house. But if you can provide them with 65-75% humidity, it is certainly an advantage.

Unfortunately in most of the U.S., you can’t grow any of these varieties outside. Only in some parts of zone 9 is it possible. There are also successful examples in zones 10 and 11.

Common Problems

The first problem pothos lovers face is a disease. Diseases usually arise from improper cultivation and appear as spots on the leaves. To avoid this, the plants should be kept in a well-ventilated room and not overwatered. If the disease occurs, an aqueous solution of fungicide should be used for treatment.

Because Silvery Ann has more chlorophyll-free tissue it is more prone to disease. So if you choose this plant, you will need to be more vigilant about its health. Please check out my article on pothos leaf problems.

Also, both varieties are susceptible to pest damage. This is especially true for aphids and other insects. If you notice any bugs on the leaves or stems, use an aqueous solution of horticultural oil immediately, in most cases, this will suffice.

Fertilizer

Both plants need additional nutrition because potted cultivation is not the same as growing in the ground. In nature, pothos gets all the necessary nutrients from other plant debris and other sources, but in pots, this is not available. It is especially important to fertilize during the growing season and the Silver Satin needs a bit more fertilizer in this respect.

Liquid fertilizer with equal parts Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium is best. You need to apply it once every 1-1.5 months. The amount of fertilizer doesn’t have to be much, there are many good fertilizers on the market, some specifically for aroids. Do everything as instructed and your pothos will thrive.

Also don’t over-fertilize, as this makes the plants grow too vigorous and they can become sluggish and more susceptible to disease. Also, do not fertilize the pothos during the winter.

Toxicity

Both varieties of pothos have been identified by reputable organizations as toxic to humans and animals. But this is only true if parts of this plant are ingested. Therefore, if you have children or pets in the house, place the pot of pothos out of their reach.

Contact your doctor or veterinarian if pothos is ingested.