15 - 25cm Scindapsus Silver Knight 12cm Pot House Plant
The Scindapsus Silver Knight is a striking tropical houseplant prized for its dark, velvety foliage and beautiful metallic silver markings. Combining rich shades of deep green with flashes of silvery-grey, it has a sophisticated appearance that becomes even more impressive as the plant develops. Each heart-shaped leaf has a soft, satin-like finish, with silver variegation spreading across the surface in irregular patterns. Against the darker background of the foliage, the silver almost appears to shimmer as the light changes. New leaves can emerge in slightly different shades before deepening in colour as they mature. Silver Knight has a naturally climbing and trailing growth habit, making it an incredibly versatile houseplant. Allow the stems to cascade from a shelf or hanging planter for a relaxed trailing display, or provide a moss pole or climbing support to encourage the plant to grow upwards. For the most impressive mature growth, we recommend allowing it to climb. As the plant establishes itself against a suitable support, it has the potential to produce increasingly substantial foliage and creates a beautiful column of dark, silver-patterned leaves. Despite its exotic appearance, Silver Knight is relatively straightforward to care for. It appreciates bright indirect light, an airy growing medium and sensible watering, but doesn't require the highly controlled conditions associated with some collector's aroids. Its combination of near-black green foliage, metallic silver markings and velvety texture makes Scindapsus Silver Knight particularly effective when displayed alongside brighter green or highly variegated houseplants. Whether you trail it from a shelf or train it vertically, this is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a darker, moodier addition to their indoor jungle. Please note: Silver markings, leaf colour and pattern naturally vary between individual plants and leaves. Each plant is unique and may differ slightly from the plant pictured. Light Give your Scindapsus Silver Knight plenty of bright, indirect light for strong growth and attractive foliage. A position close to an east- or west-facing window is often ideal, or place it slightly back from a brighter south-facing window. Silver Knight can tolerate somewhat lower light levels, but growth is likely to become slower and more stretched. Brighter indirect light will generally help the plant maintain a fuller growth habit and show off its silver markings at their best. Avoid prolonged harsh direct sunlight, particularly during the middle of the day, as this can scorch the leaves. Watering Allow the upper 3–5cm of the growing medium to dry before watering again. When it's ready for a drink, water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot, then allow it to drain completely. Avoid leaving Silver Knight sitting in water or keeping the compost permanently wet. Scindapsus prefer some moisture but are susceptible to root problems if their growing medium remains saturated for extended periods. Watering frequency will naturally change throughout the year. During warmer, brighter months the plant will generally use water more quickly, while considerably less frequent watering may be needed during a UK winter. Signs of overwatering can include: Yellowing leaves Soft or mushy stems Persistently wet compost Leaf drop Root rot Signs the plant may be too dry can include: Curling leaves Drooping foliage Crispy leaf edges Very dry growing medium Check the compost rather than relying on a fixed watering schedule. Humidity Silver Knight appreciates moderate to high humidity, although it will generally adapt well to normal household conditions. Humidity of around 50–70% provides excellent growing conditions and can help support healthy new foliage. If your home is particularly dry, especially during winter when central heating is running, a humidifier can be useful. Good airflow is equally important. Avoid creating permanently damp, stagnant conditions around the foliage. Temperature Keep your Scindapsus Silver Knight somewhere warm and protected from sudden temperature changes. An approximate temperature range of 18–27°C is ideal. Avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures below around 15°C and protect the plant from cold draughts, open windows and doors during winter. Don't position it directly against a radiator or other strong heat source, as excessively hot and dry air can cause the foliage to deteriorate. Soil Use a light, chunky and free-draining growing medium. A good Scindapsus mixture could include: Houseplant compost or coco coir Orchid bark Perlite or pumice A small amount of horticultural charcoal This provides a useful balance between moisture retention and root aeration. Avoid very dense compost that remains wet for long periods. Whatever mixture you choose, always use a pot with adequate drainage holes. Climbing or Trailing? Silver Knight can be grown either way, and both create very different displays. Trailing: Allow the stems to cascade naturally from a hanging planter, shelf or tall piece of furniture. This creates a beautiful curtain of dark, silver-patterned foliage. Climbing: Provide a moss pole, coir pole or other vertical support and gently encourage the stems upwards. This more closely replicates the plant's natural climbing habit and can encourage larger, more mature foliage. If you're aiming for the biggest possible leaves, climbing is the better option. A moisture-retentive moss pole can be particularly effective because aerial roots can establish themselves into the support. Feeding Feed during the active growing season, usually from spring through to early autumn. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser approximately every 4–6 weeks, following the manufacturer's recommended dilution rate. Reduce or stop feeding during winter if growth slows significantly. Avoid excessive fertilisation. Too much fertiliser can cause salts to accumulate in the growing medium and damage the roots. Growth Silver Knight is generally a moderate grower when provided with warmth, good light and appropriate watering. New leaves emerge along extending vines, and aerial roots may develop from the nodes as the plant searches for something to climb. If you're growing it as a trailing plant and the stems become excessively long or sparse, pruning can encourage a fuller appearance. For climbing specimens, securing the vine against a suitable support can encourage stronger, more mature growth. Repotting Silver Knight doesn't need frequent repotting and can remain slightly snug in its container. Consider repotting when: Roots are heavily circling the pot Roots are emerging extensively through drainage holes The growing medium has become compacted Water passes straight through the root ball The plant is drying considerably faster than previously When repotting, move up by one sensible pot size rather than placing the plant directly into a much larger container. Spring and early summer are generally the best times to repot. Pruning Pruning can be useful if your Silver Knight becomes too long, sparse or uneven. Use clean scissors or secateurs and cut the vine just above a node. New growth can then develop from nodes further back along the stem. Regular light pruning can help create a bushier trailing plant rather than a few extremely long vines. Healthy cuttings containing at least one node can also be used for propagation. Propagation Silver Knight can be propagated from stem cuttings. Take a healthy section of vine containing at least one node and preferably one or two leaves. The node is essential because this is where new roots and growth will develop. Cuttings can be rooted in: Water Sphagnum moss Perlite A suitable propagation mix Keep the cutting warm and provide bright, indirect light while roots develop. Leaf Care Those dark, velvety leaves can gradually collect dust. Gently wipe the foliage with a soft, slightly damp cloth when required, supporting the leaf from underneath to avoid damage. Avoid using commercial leaf-shine products, as the naturally satin-like surface is part of the plant's appeal. Common Problems Yellow leaves Often associated with overwatering, particularly when the growing medium remains wet for extended periods. Curling leaves Frequently a sign that the plant has become too dry, although environmental stress can also cause curling. Brown or crispy edges Can result from inconsistent watering, very dry air or excessive fertiliser salts. Long stems with large spaces between leaves Usually indicates that the plant would benefit from brighter light. Small new leaves Check light levels, feeding and whether the plant has suitable climbing support. Trailing plants will often produce smaller foliage than established climbing specimens. Faded or scorched patches The plant may be receiving too much direct sunlight. Pests Scindapsus are generally resilient but can occasionally attract common houseplant pests including: Spider mites Thrips Mealybugs Scale insects Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves, stems and new growth so that any infestation can be treated early. Toxicity Scindapsus Silver Knight is not considered pet-safe. Like many members of the aroid family, the plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation if chewed or ingested. Keep it away from pets and young children who are likely to chew plants. Scindapsus Silver Knight Care at a Glance Common name: Scindapsus Silver Knight Light: Bright, indirect light Water: Allow the upper 3–5cm of the growing medium to dry Humidity: Moderate to high; ideally 50–70% Temperature: Ideally 18–27°C Soil: Airy, chunky and free-draining Feeding: Every 4–6 weeks during active growth Growth habit: Climbing or trailing Support: Moss pole recommended for larger foliage Growth rate: Moderate Difficulty: Easy to intermediate Pet safe: No Special feature: Dark, velvety foliage with metallic silver markings