Epipremnum aureum ‘Glacier’, commonly known as Glacier Pothos, is a popular indoor plant known for its unique variegated foliage. This cultivar stands out with its distinct coloring, making it a favored choice for enhancing indoor spaces.
Understanding Glacier Pothos Characteristics
Glacier Pothos distinguishes itself with specific variegation patterns, featuring splashes of white, cream, and grey-green, often streaky. It typically has smaller, more rounded leaves and is a slower grower, maintaining a compact size indoors.
Glacier Pothos Care Guide
Light Requirements
Glacier Pothos thrives in bright, indirect light conditions. Placing the plant near a north or east-facing window where it receives filtered sunlight is ideal. Insufficient light can cause its growth to slow, and the distinctive variegation on its leaves may fade. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves, leading to brown or yellow patches.
Watering Needs
Allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings is important for Glacier Pothos. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is better to err on the side of caution. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, while drooping leaves indicate the plant needs water. Watering frequency will vary depending on light, temperature, and humidity, with more frequent watering needed during the spring and summer growing season.
Soil Preferences
A well-draining, aerated potting mix prevents waterlogging and supports root health. A suitable mix includes equal parts potting soil and perlite, or a combination of peat moss, perlite, and pine bark. Always use a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
Temperature and Humidity
Glacier Pothos prefers temperatures between 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). It is sensitive to cold drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations, so avoid placing it near air conditioning vents or drafty windows. While it can tolerate average indoor humidity levels, it appreciates moderate to high humidity, ideally between 50-70%. Symptoms of low humidity include brown leaf tips and edges. Increasing humidity can be achieved by using a pebble tray or a room humidifier.
Fertilizing Your Plant
Fertilize during the spring and summer growing season to support healthy growth. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks. Brown leaf tips may indicate over-fertilization, while slow growth and pale foliage suggest under-fertilization. Reduce or stop fertilization in fall and winter when growth slows.
Propagating Glacier Pothos
Propagating Glacier Pothos is done through stem cuttings.
- Select a healthy stem with at least 2-3 leaves and cut just below a leaf node.
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving 1-2 at the top.
- Place the cutting in water or directly into moist potting soil.
- If rooting in water, change the water every few days to prevent bacterial growth.
- Roots typically develop in 2-4 weeks in water; transplant to soil once 1-2 inches long.
- Soil propagation usually roots in 4-6 weeks and may produce sturdier roots.
Troubleshooting Common Glacier Pothos Issues
Yellowing leaves on a Glacier Pothos can indicate several issues:
- If yellow, soft, and soil is wet, overwatering is likely.
- If yellow with drooping and dry, crispy edges, the plant is likely underwatered.
- Insufficient light can also lead to yellowing leaves and a loss of variegation.
- Brown spots on leaves may result from overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental stress.
- Leggy growth, with long vines and sparse leaves, often suggests insufficient light.
Glacier Pothos Toxicity
Epipremnum aureum ‘Glacier’ contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, making it toxic if ingested by humans or pets. When chewed or eaten, these crystals can cause immediate pain or a burning sensation in the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. Other symptoms may include excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. While typically not fatal, ingestion can cause significant discomfort. It is advisable to keep Glacier Pothos out of reach of children and pets.