The Pothos is a perennial vine native to South America. Epipremnum aureum “Jessenia” is a variety from the popular Pothos genus, which make beautiful houseplants. The plant has moderate water needs and is considered easy to care for.
Jessenia Pothos Appearance
The Jessenia Pothos plant’s vining growth habit makes it great for hanging baskets or a pot with a trellis for support. The heart-shaped leaves are two-toned green with bright, chartreuse markings. Indoor plants grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long. In the spring and summer, blooms of green or white appear.
Jessenia Plant Light Requirements
This Pothos plant prefers bright, indirect to medium-level sunlight. Avoid full sun exposure as it will scorch the foliage. Yet, too little sunlight will fade the stunning variegation. Place the plant in a bright window covered by a sheer curtain or away from a window in a room that receives all-day sunlight.
Watering Your Jessenia Pothos Plant
The Jessenia Pothos is drought-tolerant and will survive a few missed waterings. The plant does prefer regular watering when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil becomes dry. Water until the soil is evenly moist down to the bottom of the pot. Repeat the routine throughout the spring and summer. Reduce water during the fall and winter when the plant goes dormant.
Soil and Fertilizer Requirements
The Jessenia Pothos prefers a soil mix that’s not heavy but is able to retain moisture. A potting soil amended with perlite and orchid bark gives a good balance. Feed your plant once per month, in the spring and summer, with a balanced, liquid fertilizer. Withhold all feedings during the fall and winter.
Temperature and Humidity Levels
The Jessenia Pothos prefers a warm and humid environment. Retain temperatures of between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 to 23.8 Celsius). Humidity levels between 50 and 70 percent are best. For dry climates, increase humidity with either a humidifier or by placing a tray filled with pebbles and water under the pot’s saucer. Placing the plant in a bathroom, which naturally has higher humidity, also works.
Propagating the Jessenia Plant
Propagation by cuttings is the ideal way to create new plants. Use a pair of sharp and sterile shears to cut a stem a few inches long that has at least two top and two bottom leaves. Remove the bottom two leaves to expose the nodes. Fill a small jar with water and place the stem into the water so the nodes are submerged but the top leaves are not. Place the jar in bright, indirect sunlight, changing the water once a week. Once the stem has developed roots two to three inches long, transplant the stem. Fill a pot with the recommended soil mix, ensuring the roots are covered. Keep the soil consistently moist for the next one to two weeks, then care for the new plant as a mature one.
Common Pests and Diseases
Mealybugs, scale, and aphids are common pests that infest the Jessenia plant. Treating the plant early is important to minimize the damage the pests cause. Treat infestations of mealybugs and aphids with neem oil for best results. Scale has a hard shell that protects it from most treatments. Instead, manually remove the insects using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Root rot is a disease that occurs when the plant is consistently over-watered. Yellowing leaves and stunted growth are the first signs of the disease. Decrease watering immediately and remove the plant from its pot. Inspect the roots and use sharp and sterile shears to remove any dark and mushy roots. Repot the plant, using fresh soil, in a clean pot to ensure the soil fungus does not transfer.
Jessenia Pothos FAQ
Prune your plant to remove any dead leaves and to control size and encourage fuller growth.
Yes, Pothos plants are considered toxic.
Yes, the plant will grow in USDA zones 10 to 12.
Repot your plant in the spring or summer. Choose a new pot 2 inches larger than the previous one and use fresh soil.
Yes, if grown upright, and not in a hanging basket, insert a trellis or moss pole for support.
