The Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver is a tropical plant known for its dark green foliage with distinct silver stripings.
The plant is also known for its foliage patterns by Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver Stripe and Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver Streak.
The general care of the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver is to provide it with well-draining soil and weekly water bathing. This plant grows best as an indoor plant near a source of bright indirect sunlight. Direct sun will burn the leaves, so avoid placing the plant outdoors.
This plant species is relatively easy to take care of, and I recommend it for even plant beginners. The only problem is that the plant is quite rare in non-tropical countries like where I am (Australia).
In this blog post, I share my mistakes, photos, and tips for maintaining the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver.
Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver Grows Best Under Bright Indirect Sunlight
The Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver grows best indoors where there’s bright indirect light. The plant does not need to be positioned right next to the window, provided it’s in a well-lit room.
Avoid placing the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver anywhere with direct sunlight because the leaves will burn. During the warmer season, leaving the plant exposed to a few hours under the sun is enough for it to start wilting. The leaves will show small patches of black areas in just a few days.
I realized the sensitivity to direct light when I planted outside for some “fresh air.” It had received a few hours of the midday sun and was wilting the following morning.
Once I brought the plant back into the house, its leaves reverted to their happy position after a few days. I learned that the plant does not need direct sunlight at all for it to grow.
Even when placed in the corner of my study room and about 13 feet from the window, it’s growing quite well. I have not yet seen any losses of color, as is usually the case when houseplants don’t get enough sunlight.
Some ideal locations to place the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver include:
- Close to the windows
- Under any shelter, such as the carport
- Covered deck
- North-facing apartment balcony
- Hotel foyer
Bright indirect sunlight is the key message here; adjustments should be made if color changes occur.
Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver Only Requires Fortnightly Watering
As a general rule, you should water the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver once a fortnight if the plant is kept indoors.
The aim is to keep the soil relatively moist but still feel grainy when rubbed with your fingers.
The watering routine is dependent on the season and weather conditions. In summer, you’d need to water the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver more regularly than in winter.
A tip is two use your fingers and check the top two inches of the soil. If it’s dry, you should top it up with some water (rainwater, if possible).
Alternatively, use a moisture meter for a more accurate reading and the next course of action.
This plant grows similar to the common houseplant, Epipremnum aureum (Devil’s Ivy); it grows rapidly like a vine even when watering is forgotten. It’s resistant to short-term drought and quickly recovers after taking in water.
For me, I like to take my Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver outside for a water bath once a fortnight during summer.
I have the plant in a large pot and bring it outside for a complete washdown at the base. I also give it a gentle mist on the foliage to help increase the humidity.
However, be careful not to hose too much water on the leaves as the large surface areas tend to drag it down, causing stress on the stems. For this reason, I avoid leaving the plant outside, where it’s potentially damaged by unprotected heavy rainfall.
Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver Require Well-Draining Soil
The Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver grows best in a porous soil mixture, allowing water to percolate through reasonably quickly and avoiding any puddling.
However, look for soil that is able to retain water moisture, as this plant loves to drink.
I personally use SuperSoil indoor, balcony, and hanging basket soil mix. This is only available in FlowerPower nurseries in Australia, but you can get a similar general-purpose soil mixture at your local nursery.
Here is a picture of the SuperSoil indoor soil mix that I’m using:
This is a combination of high-quality dirt, perlite, and fine bark. Even after a few days of water bathing, the soil feels grainy yet moist enough for the rest of the week.
During summer, I’ve only had to water once a week. I plan to only once every 3-4 weeks in the upcoming winter season.
Pre-made soil mixtures are great for the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver because they:
- Usually contain controlled-release fertilizer for balanced plant nutrition
- Optimum water holding capacity, and
- Excellent air-fill porosity
These benefits of indoor soil mixtures provide an excellent growing medium for this fast-growing plant.
You can add some worm castings to the soil to enhance growth. However, I do not find this step to be absolutely necessary. The Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver grows very quickly in most soil compositions as long as other growing conditions are favorable.
Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver Likes Room to Warm Temperatures
The Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver does well in temperatures between 70 and 85 Fahrenheit (21 to 29 degrees Celsius). Higher humidity environments will foster better growth, but it will grow just fine in dry surroundings.
Although a tropical plant, it does not require high humidities to survive. Buying a humidifier and placing the plant in the bathroom is unnecessary.
The plant is sensitive to fluctuations in temperatures, especially during summer. For this reason, the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver is better grown indoors with more consistent temperatures.
Use a Support Peace to Hold the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver
The Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver will require some form of support, such as a trellis or moss pole. As the plant grows taller, it will naturally fall over due to the heavy leaves.
I use a bendable metal piece found at a Japanese discount store called Daiso. Simply poke it into the soil and string it together with the plant.
This helps keep the plant keep upright that would otherwise fall over.
To Summarise…
The Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver is an easy plant to take care of and ideal for busy households.
The most important step in caring for this plant is selecting well-draining soil. Watering frequency largely depends on how well water drains out of the soil, but you’re looking at an average of once a fortnight.
Remember to place the Epipremnum Amplissimum Silver indoors in a well-lit room with plenty of indirect and reflective sunlight.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be rewarded with large green foliage that cleanses the toxins in your room.
