Pothos or the Epipremnum aureum (ep-ih-PREM-num AW-ree-um) is a species of arum plant in the Araceae family.
It is native to the French Polynesia island, Mo’orea, but was also brought to tropical and sub-tropical forests worldwide in South Africa, Australia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Since they grow so easily in places like these, the pothos has caused ecological damage, making them an invasive species.
The pothos is a perennial climbing plant, but its flowers are typically never seen as a house plant.
Pothos leaves are usually quite different depending on their variety.
However, the most popular variation, the devil’s ivy, has dark green leaves with light green patches.
The pothos vines can be called many different names, such as:
- Hunter’s Rope
- Devil’s Vine
- Devil’s Ivy
- Taro Vine
- Ivy Arum
- Ceylon creeper
- Golden pothos
The pothos plant enjoys bright direct sunlight but can tolerate low light, given its low maintenance label.
As a result, the pothos is a great house plant for beginner plant enthusiasts and all plant owners.
Quick Facts On Pothos
- Family: Araceae
- Light: Bright in direct sunlight
- Temperature: 60° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Let the soil dry out before watering
- Fertilizer: All-purpose houseplant fertilizer
- Propagation: Stem cuttings
- Common Problems: Overwatering, mealybugs, spider mites
Pothos Care
How Big Do Devil’s Ivy Plants Grow?
The pothos has an aerial root system, allowing it to sprawl over landscapes and trees.
As a result, its leaves can grow quite large in its natural environment, and there is no measured limit to how long the vine will grow.
The Devil’s Ivy can reach 40′ feet from its climbing vines if placed outdoors.
The pothos can be around 6′ to 8′ feet long when grown indoors. They can grow all year round as indoor plants.
The Devil’s Ivy can easily grow all year round, outdoors and indoors.
When Does The Devil’s Ivy Plant Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
The Devil’s ivy can flower in its natural environment when it has matured. The flowers are groups of flower stalks with ream-colored beige spathes with purple markings.
When they flower in the summer months, they usually have no fragrance.
The pothos will rarely ever flower when outside of its natural environment or grown indoors.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
All pothos can handle any lighting conditions they are placed in.
However, if they are placed in bright indirect light mimicking their natural environment, they will grow large and full.
If they are placed in low light conditions, the pothos will still need to be placed in bright indirect light.
However, they will still grow but will almost shrink in size. As a result, the leaves will be smaller, and the stems will be thin.
If the devil’s ivy leaves are too pale, it is getting too much sun and needs to be placed in a different setting or room.
Devil’s ivy plants are tropical, so they enjoy high humidity and warm environments. They do well in temperatures of 60° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Devil’s Ivy Plants?
When watering your pothos, it is important to ensure the soil is completely dry in between waterings.
However, the consistency may depend on how much light your devil’s ivy is getting. The more light your pothos receives, the more often you will water it.
Conversely, if it is in a low light condition, you will notice your devil’s ivy needing less water.
To encourage growth, you can fertilize your pothos every three months.
If you do not fertilize your plant, it will easily still grow. This is because the low-maintenance plant does not require being feed fertilizer.
What Is The Best Soil For Pothos And When Should You Transplant?
A pothos normally does not have a soil preference. However, well-draining potting soil will work best to avoid root rot.
When your devil’s ivy becomes root-bound, it will be time to transplant your plant. You will notice that this will happen every one to two years.
Make sure to repot in a larger pot than the last that has a drainage hole with fresh soil.
Does The Pothos Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
The pothos plant does not have any grooming needs.
If you find that your pothos is growing too large, you can easily prune it to maintain its shape and encourage upright growth.
To maintain humidity, ensure your pothos are not in front of an air vent or around any draft.
How To Propagate Golden Pothos?
To propagate a golden pothos, you will need to do the following:
- Take a cutting from the original plant.
- Place the cutting upright in a clear cup of water.
- Ensure the cutting leaves are exposed and the cut’s end is in the water.
You will notice that the plant will start to grow its own roots.
After this, you can plant your new pothos in a small pot with moist soil.
Golden Pothos Pests And Diseases
Devil’s ivy is normally a disease-free plant. However, it may face root rot in times of overwatering.
If it is overwatered and in low light, you may find mealybugs and spider mites being a problem. You can easily spray insecticide on your golden pothos to control and eliminate the issue.