The Neon Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’) is a trailing vine known for its brilliant chartreuse foliage. This cultivar of the common Golden Pothos is distinguished by its striking unvariegated lime-green color. Its popularity comes from its vibrant appearance and its reputation as an easy-to-care-for and resilient indoor plant. The distinctive bright hue makes it a favorite for introducing color into houseplant collections.
Ideal Placement and Light Needs
The striking color of the Neon Pothos depends directly on the amount of light it receives. To maintain the signature bright, acid-green hue, the plant requires consistent bright, indirect light throughout the day. Placement near an east- or north-facing window is generally ideal, as this provides gentle ambient light without harsh intensity.
Direct sunlight should be avoided, as the intense light can easily scorch the delicate leaves, resulting in bleached patches and brown spots. While the plant can survive in lower light conditions, a lack of adequate brightness will cause the neon coloring to fade into a duller, deeper green.
In addition to light, the Neon Pothos prefers standard indoor temperatures, typically ranging between 65°F and 75°F. It tolerates average household humidity but thrives when humidity is slightly higher, which prevents leaf edges from turning brown and crispy. Placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water or near a humidifier helps mimic its tropical origins.
Watering and Feeding Essentials
Overwatering is the most frequent cause of problems, as persistently wet soil quickly leads to root rot. The best approach is to follow a “soak and dry” watering method, allowing the top two to three inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings. Before watering, check the soil moisture by inserting a finger or a moisture meter deep into the pot.
Water the plant thoroughly until excess water drains freely from the pot’s drainage holes. Discard any water that collects in the saucer after about fifteen minutes, as allowing the roots to sit in standing water invites fungal issues. Watering frequency will naturally decrease during the cooler winter months when the plant’s growth slows down.
The Neon Pothos is not a heavy feeder and does not require frequent fertilization to thrive. During its active growing season (spring and summer), a balanced liquid fertilizer can be applied once a month. Look for a product with an equal nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) ratio, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength to prevent the buildup of nutrient salts that can burn the roots.
Pruning and Creating New Plants
Regular pruning serves a dual purpose: it helps maintain a desired shape and encourages the plant to grow bushier rather than becoming long and “leggy.” To prune for a fuller appearance, use clean, sharp scissors or shears to make cuts just above a leaf node on the vine. A node is the small bump on the stem where a leaf emerges and where new growth or roots will form.
The cut sections of the vine can be repurposed to create new plants through water propagation, which is a straightforward process. Select a healthy cutting that contains at least one or two leaves and two to three nodes. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline to prevent them from rotting.
Place the cuttings into a container of clean, room-temperature water, ensuring the nodes are submerged. Position the container in a warm, bright spot and change the water weekly to keep it oxygenated. Once these roots are about one to two inches long, the new plant is ready to be potted in well-draining soil.