Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a climber plant with heart-shaped green leaves and yellow variegation. The vine is native to islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
It features long stems and climbs through aerial roots that adhere to surfaces. It’s suitable for hanging baskets, plant stands, and bookshelves. The Pothos also suits indoor settings because it filters gaseous toxins like formaldehyde.
| Scientific Name | Epipremnum aureum |
| Common Name | Golden Pothos, Money plant, Silvervine, Solomon Islands ivy, Pothos, Devil’s Ivy |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Epipremnum |
| Origin | Solomon Islands |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 10–12 (USDA) |
| Propagation Methods | Stem cuttings in water or soil, Layering |
| Temperature Tolerance | 60°F to 80°F/ 16°C to 27°C |
| Soil Requirements | Well-draining with a pH of 6.1 to 6.8 |
| Humidity Level | Moderate (around 40%) or higher |
Common Indoor Epipremnum Aureum Varieties
‘Marble Queen’
The variety features a white-and-green variegated pattern. This pothos plant requires more light to maintain its distinctive color.
‘Pearls and Jade’
It’s characterized by dark green leaves and white variegations around the leaf’s perimeter. The Pearls and Jade variety grows best in low-light conditions.
‘Neon’
The neon variety is non-variegated and features bright chartreuse leaves. It also requires less light compared to other Epipremnum Aureum varieties.
‘Silver Satin’
The silver satin derives its name from its dark green leaves splashed with silvery gray splotches. The drought-tolerant plant has thick, heart-shaped leaves that grow in low-light conditions.
How to Care for an Epipremnum Aureum Plant
Light Requirements
The Golden Pothos plant is a low-light plant that tolerates light levels of around 3-4 hours daily. More light, however, will provide more leaf growth, stem growth, and a healthier plant. Place your Pothos in front of a west- or east-facing window to provide optimal lighting.
Soil Mix and Composition
To pot a Devil’s Ivy plant, blend perlite, coarse pumice, activated charcoal, and coconut coir. The activated charcoal helps combat harmful chemicals in water, while perlite aids drainage.
For optimal results, add worm castings to the soil blend to act as a natural fertilizer. It allows the Golden Pothos roots to eat away, promoting healthier and longer stems.
Potting
You could grow Pothos plants in various pots, including plastic, ceramic, metal, and terra cotta. Ensure the container is 1-2 inches wider than the root ball and has adequate drainage holes.
Transplanting and Repotting
Pothos become pot-bound over time. If your plant has drooping leaves, it may be a sign that roots have filled the pot, and there’s no room for growth. Also, observe roots growing out of drainage holes or lift the plant to examine its roots.
If you have a pot-bound pothos, repot it into a larger container using fresh potting soil and water well. It’s best to repot during the plant’s active growth phase around spring or summer.
Temperature and Humidity
Devil’s Ivy thrives in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, with an ideal temperature range of 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate cooler temperatures but are sensitive to cold drafts.
Pothos prefers high humidity, like its native habitat, but can tolerate average or dry air. Supplemental air moisture, like misting or room humidifiers, helps during winter.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer boosts plant nutrients during growth. Apply liquid fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Use a specially formulated fertilizer for Pothos plants. Avoid fertilizing in winter when the plant is resting.
Watering
Devil’s Ivy prefers dry topsoil. On average, watering your Golden Pothos every eight days is ideal. Watering frequency depends on the lighting, potting soil porousness, and pot material.
Pothos with more light, porous soil and terracotta pots will dry out faster. It hence necessitates more frequent watering.
Avoid tap water, which may contain chemicals like chlorine. Instead, use filtered water or rainwater for Money plants. You should also water less during winter months.
Pruning and Training
Regular pruning helps maintain a bushy and attractive plant. Trim off any leggy or overgrown vines using clean pruning shears or scissors. You could also pinch back the tips of the vines to encourage branching.
Epipremnum Aureum is a climbing plant and can be trained to grow on a trellis or moss pole. Support allows the plant to climb and adds an aesthetic touch to its growth.
How to Propagate Epipremnum Aureum Plants
Epipremnum Aureum, or Golden Pothos, can be easily propagated through stem cuttings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on propagating Epipremnum Aureum plants:
- Select a healthy stem: Choose a healthy stem from the parent plant with several leaves and nodes. Nodes are the points on the stem where leaves emerge.
- Prepare the cutting: Make a clean cut just below a node using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. The cutting should be 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long.
- Remove lower leaves: Trim off the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving only a few leaves at the top intact. It prevents the leaves from rotting when placed in water or soil.
Water Propagation Method
- Fill a glass or jar with water and place the cutting in it. Ensure that at least one or two nodes are submerged in the water.
- Place the glass in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it could harm the cutting.
- Change the water every few days to prevent it from becoming stagnant.
- After a few weeks, you should see roots developing from the nodes.
- Once the roots are about an inch (2.5 cm) long, transplant the cutting into a pot with well-draining potting soil.
Soil Propagation Method
- Prepare a small pot with well-draining potting soil. Moisten the soil, but avoid making it waterlogged.
- Insert the cutting into the soil, burying one or two nodes.
- Place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Mist the cutting and soil with water to maintain humidity.
- Keep the soil moist but not wet.
- After a few weeks, roots should start to form, and new growth will emerge from the top of the cutting.
Pest and Disease Management
Pests
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, white, cottony insects that suck sap from the leaves. To control them, wipe the affected leaves with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of water and dish soap. Use an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil for severe infestations.
Spider Mites
Spider mites cause webbing, leaving yellow or brown speckles on the leaves. To manage spider mites, rinse the leaves with a strong jet of water to dislodge them.
Use an insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the instructions on the product. Increase humidity around the plant by misting it or placing it with pebbles on a water tray to discourage mite infestations.
Scale Insects
Scale insects appear as tiny, immobile bumps on the leaves and stems. To control scale insects, scrape off the scales with a soft brush or cloth. Use rubbing alcohol or a mixture of water and dish soap to clean the affected areas. For severe infestations, use an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Diseases
Root Rot
Overwatering or poorly draining soil leads to root rot, causing the plant’s roots to be mushy and discolored. To prevent root rot, ensure the plant is in a pot with drainage holes and well-draining soil.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot causes brown or black spots on the leaves. To manage leaf spots, remove and destroy infected leaves to prevent the spread of the disease.
Ensure good air circulation around the plant by avoiding overcrowding with other plants. Also, avoid overhead watering, as it promotes the spread of fungal diseases.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves could be due to overwatering. Adjust your watering routine and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Also, ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Underwatering could also lead to yellowing. Hence, increase the frequency of watering while ensuring not to overwater.
Brown Tips on Leaves
Brown tips on leaves could be due to low humidity, chlorine in water, or overfertilization. Increase humidity around the plant by misting the leaves or placing a tray of water with pebbles near the plant.
Use filtered or dechlorinated water to prevent chlorine buildup, which leads to leaf tip burn. Too much fertilizer causes leaf burn. Ensure you are following the recommended dosage and frequency for fertilizing.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth on your pothos plants could be due to inadequate light overcrowding. Epipremnum Aureum thrives in bright, indirect light. If the plant is not receiving enough light, move it closer to a window or provide supplemental artificial lighting.
Also, prune the plant to encourage bushier growth. Pinch back the tips of the vines to promote branching and fuller foliage.
