The Asaoka Pothos is a captivating houseplant, popular for its striking foliage and relatively straightforward care. Its unique aesthetic makes it a favored choice for adding verdant beauty to indoor spaces. This adaptable vining plant thrives in various home environments, making it suitable for both novice and experienced plant owners.
Understanding Asaoka Pothos
Asaoka Pothos refers to specific Epipremnum aureum cultivars developed by Japanese plant breeder Hiroaki Asaoka. These varieties are distinguished by unique variegation patterns. For example, the ‘Global Green’ Pothos, discovered in 2016, features a distinctive green-on-green variegation with brighter yellow-green coloring in the center and tip of its ovate leaves, bordered by darker green. Other cultivars in the Asaoka series include ‘Lima Compacta’ and ‘Excellent’ (also known as Asaoka First).
Asaoka Pothos Care
Light Requirements
Asaoka Pothos thrives in bright, indirect light. Placing the plant near an east or west-facing window is ideal, providing gentle morning sun or filtered afternoon light. While these plants can tolerate medium to low indirect light, their growth may slow, and variegated patterns might become less pronounced. Direct, intense afternoon sun can scorch the leaves. If leaves appear pale or stretched, it indicates insufficient light, requiring a move closer to a light source or supplemental grow lights.
Watering Practices
Water Asaoka Pothos by allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, typically every one to two weeks. Check the top two inches of soil; if it feels dry, the plant is ready for water. Overwatering is a common issue, leading to yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and root rot. Conversely, curling or crispy, brown leaves signal underwatering. Always ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water accumulation.
Soil and Potting
The ideal soil mix for Asaoka Pothos should be well-draining and aerated to prevent waterlogging. A standard houseplant potting mix or an aroid mix works well, with a blend containing peat moss, perlite, and pine bark providing necessary drainage. Choosing the right pot size and material is important. Pots made from porous materials like terracotta help excess moisture evaporate. Repotting may be necessary every one to two years into a slightly larger pot, ensuring it has drainage holes.
Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical plant, Asaoka Pothos prefers warmer temperatures, ideally ranging between 65°F and 85°F (18°C-30°C). Avoid temperatures below 60°F (15°C), as prolonged cold can cause damage and stunt growth. While Pothos tolerates average room humidity, they thrive in higher humidity environments, preferably between 40-60%. In dry indoor conditions, especially during winter, increasing humidity is beneficial, achievable with a pebble tray or humidifier.
Fertilizing Your Plant
During the active growing season (spring through summer), Asaoka Pothos benefits from regular fertilization. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every four to six weeks. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength to prevent over-fertilization, which can lead to browning leaf tips. During fall and winter dormancy, reduce or stop fertilization entirely as the plant’s growth slows.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning Asaoka Pothos encourages bushier growth and maintains its shape. Prune any time during the growing season (spring to early fall) to allow the plant to recover and produce new growth quickly. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, cutting just above a node where new leaves and roots emerge. Removing leggy vines or any yellowed or damaged leaves helps keep the plant vibrant and healthy. Regularly wiping down the leaves with a soft, damp cloth keeps them clean and improves light absorption.
Propagating Asaoka Pothos
Propagating Asaoka Pothos is straightforward using stem cuttings. Select a healthy vine with at least three to four leaves and several nodes. Make a clean cut with sharp, sanitized scissors or pruners just below a node, ensuring the cutting is two to three inches long. Remove leaves from the bottom inch or two to expose the nodes.
Rooting in water: Place cuttings in a clear glass container with room temperature water, ensuring nodes are submerged. Change the water every few days. Roots typically form within a few weeks. Once roots are two to three inches long, transfer cuttings to well-draining potting soil.
Rooting in soil: Prepare a small pot with a well-draining, pre-moistened potting mix. Plant the cutting so nodes are buried, firming the soil around it. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and provide a warm, bright location. Covering the pot with a plastic bag or humidity dome can increase humidity.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While generally resilient, Asaoka Pothos can show signs of distress.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves have multiple causes. If older leaves yellow and the soil is dry, it indicates underwatering. If new and old leaves yellow and the soil is damp, overwatering and root rot are likely. Insufficient light can also cause yellowing, particularly in variegated varieties.
Browning Leaves or Tips
Crispy, light brown spots typically indicate underwatering, while darker, soft brown areas suggest overwatering. Low humidity causes crispy leaf tips. Direct sunlight can scorch leaves, resulting in brown patches. Nutrient deficiencies or excess fertilizer salts can also contribute to browning.
Pest Infestations
Common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale insects may affect Asaoka Pothos. Signs include sticky residue, webbing, small white or fuzzy spots, or tiny insects. Isolate affected plants and treat with natural pesticides like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Improving air circulation and proper watering can help prevent pests.