The Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as Pothos or Devil’s Ivy, is a popular and resilient houseplant known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped foliage. Its ease of care and adaptability make it a favorite for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. This tropical vine, native to the Solomon Islands, is a successful indoor grower, but understanding its specific needs will help it thrive.
Optimal Environmental Placement
The ideal location for a Pothos plant involves exposure to bright, indirect light, which best maintains the variegation on its leaves. While the plant tolerates lower light, insufficient light slows growth and may result in the loss of yellow or white patterns, making the leaves appear mostly green. Avoid direct, intense sunlight, as it can easily scorch the leaves, leading to crispy brown spots.
Pothos adapts well to the average indoor temperature range of 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Maintaining temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause damage, so keep it away from cold drafts near windows and exterior doors. Although average household humidity is acceptable, providing moderate humidity (40% to 60%) encourages larger leaf production and prevents brown tips. Increase local humidity by placing the potted plant on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water, ensuring the pot’s base remains above the water level.
Mastering Hydration and Nutrition
Proper watering technique is the most important factor for Pothos health, as overwatering is the most common cause of decline. Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings. A simple finger test, where you insert a finger into the soil up to the second knuckle, is the best way to check the moisture level.
When watering, continue until excess water flows freely from the pot’s drainage holes, confirming the roots are fully hydrated. Use a container with proper drainage, as Pothos roots are sensitive to soggy conditions, which quickly lead to root rot. A well-draining potting mix, often containing components like perlite or peat moss, helps prevent the soil from becoming compacted and waterlogged.
Pothos is not a heavy feeder, but it benefits from regular fertilization during its active growing period in spring and summer. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once every one to three months, diluting it to half the strength recommended on the label to prevent chemical burn. Avoid fertilizing during late fall and winter, as the plant’s growth naturally slows and it cannot utilize the extra nutrients. Excessive fertilizer leads to a buildup of mineral salts, which often presents as brown leaf tips and stunted growth.
Maintenance and Multiplication
Regular pruning controls the vining plant’s length and encourages a fuller, more compact growth habit. To promote bushier growth, pinch or cut the stem just above a leaf node (the small bump where a leaf attaches to the vine). This stimulates the production of two new lateral shoots, resulting in a denser appearance. When cutting stems, be aware that the plant’s sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause skin irritation, so use gloves.
Pothos is easily multiplied through water propagation. Use a clean, sharp tool to cut a segment of vine that includes one to three leaves and one or more nodes. Submerge the nodes of the cutting in clean water, ensuring no leaves are underwater, and place the vessel in bright, indirect light.
The aerial roots emerging from the node will develop in a few weeks; change the water weekly to keep it fresh and oxygenated. Once the roots are approximately one to two inches long, the new plant is ready to be transferred into a pot filled with well-draining soil. If you desire larger leaves, train the stems to grow vertically on a support structure like a moss pole or trellis.