The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum), often called Devil’s Ivy, is a houseplant cherished for its ease of care and cascading, heart-shaped foliage. This tropical aroid naturally grows as a vine in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Many plant enthusiasts admire fenestration—the development of splits or holes in a leaf structure as the plant matures. The question is whether the common Pothos shares this capability.
The Short Answer: Pothos Fenestration
The answer to whether a Pothos can fenestrate is a qualified yes, though this display is rare in a typical indoor environment. Fenestration is a characteristic of the plant’s mature life stage, which is a phase almost never reached when the plant is allowed to trail from a hanging basket. In its native habitat, Epipremnum aureum is a powerful climber that must ascend tree trunks to reach the brighter canopy light. The shift from juvenile, trailing form to mature, climbing form requires a significant physiological change.
This change is a direct response to specific environmental cues that signal the plant has secured itself high enough to warrant the energy expenditure of producing complex leaves. When kept indoors, Pothos plants remain in their juvenile state for decades, characterized by smaller, solid, heart-shaped leaves. Fenestrations only appear after the vine has successfully transitioned into its adult form, a process that relies on sustained, high-intensity conditions. The vine must climb vertically to trigger this maturation, anchoring itself with specialized aerial roots.
What Defines a Mature Pothos
A Pothos plant is defined as mature when it undergoes heterophylly, a morphological transformation involving the change in leaf shape between juvenile and adult phases. The shift from small, trailing foliage to large, complex leaves is triggered by three primary environmental requirements.
Light Intensity
The first is high light intensity, far greater than the moderate, indirect light typically provided in a home. The plant must sense it has climbed out of the forest understory and into the bright canopy.
Vertical Support
The second requirement is the presence of a vertical support structure, such as a large tree trunk. The vine must climb upwards, rather than trail downwards, for the maturation process to initiate.
Aerial Root Attachment
Finally, the plant must anchor itself to this support using specialized aerial roots that grow from the nodes along the stem. The leaves will increase in size—from the typical 4-inch houseplant size to potentially exceeding 30 inches in length—before any splits begin to form.
Visual Characteristics of Mature Pothos Foliage
The mature leaves of Epipremnum aureum are vastly different from the small, solid, heart-shaped leaves seen in houseplant varieties. Once maturity is reached, the foliage begins to develop fenestrations, manifesting as deep splits or lobes along the leaf margins. These are technically called perforations or slits and function to reduce wind resistance and allow light to pass through to the leaves below. Unlike Monstera deliciosa, which typically develops central holes, Pothos fenestrations generally begin as deep incisions that extend inward from the edges of the leaf.
The fully mature leaves are not only split but also exhibit a change in texture and color, becoming thick, leathery, and often more deeply variegated than their juvenile counterparts. These enormous, deeply lobed leaves are the hallmark of the adult plant. The size and complexity result from the plant allocating more energy to leaf production after securing its position high on a vertical support.
Encouraging Pothos Maturity in a Home Environment
Achieving full Pothos maturity indoors is challenging, but growers can encourage the initial stages by replicating jungle conditions.
Providing Intense Light
Providing intense, consistent light is the most important factor, often requiring a south-facing window or high-output grow lights placed close to the plant. This bright illumination signals to the plant that it is no longer in a shaded, juvenile environment.
Using Vertical Support
A sturdy, tall support structure is necessary, such as a water-retentive moss pole or a wooden plank. The vine must be trained to climb this support, and its aerial roots should be encouraged to attach to the surface. Maintaining high ambient humidity around the climbing structure assists in the attachment and development of the aerial roots.
While these efforts may not guarantee full fenestration, they will lead to larger leaves and thicker stems, moving the plant closer to its mature form.