The Epipremnum aureum ‘Mint’, or Epi Mint Pothos, is a popular houseplant known for its distinctive heart-shaped leaves with striking mint-green and creamy-white variegation. Its straightforward care and trailing habit make it a favored choice for indoor spaces, allowing it to cascade from hanging baskets or climb supportive structures.
Epi Mint Care
Light
The ‘Mint’ Pothos thrives in bright, indirect light, essential for maintaining its distinctive mint-green and cream variegation. Direct sunlight can scorch leaves, causing faded colors or brown spots. Insufficient light leads to loss of vibrant variegation, resulting in solid green foliage and leggy growth. Place it near an east or west-facing window, or a few feet from a south-facing window, for suitable illumination.
Watering
Water the Epi Mint by allowing the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. Frequency is typically every 1-2 weeks, depending on environmental factors like light and humidity. Overwatering is a common issue leading to root rot and yellowing leaves; it is safer to underwater slightly than to overwater. Signs of underwatering include drooping, curling, or wilting leaves, which perk up quickly after a thorough drink.
Soil Requirements
A well-draining, aerated potting mix is ideal for Epi Mint Pothos to prevent waterlogging and promote root health. A suitable blend often includes perlite, orchid bark, or coco coir, enhancing drainage and aeration. This allows for adequate air circulation around the roots, preventing issues like root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Epi Mint Pothos prefers average room temperatures, ranging from 65-85°F (18-29°C). While tolerant of average household humidity, it flourishes in moderate to high humidity; above 55% is ideal. Low humidity can cause browning leaf tips or edges. To increase humidity, consider grouping plants, using a pebble tray, or placing a small humidifier nearby.
Fertilizing
During its active growing season (spring and summer), the Epi Mint benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, every 2-4 weeks. Pothos are not heavy feeders; over-fertilization can lead to salt buildup and leaf damage. Reduce or cease fertilizing during fall and winter when growth slows.
Propagating Epi Mint
Propagating Epi Mint Pothos is straightforward, done through stem cuttings. Select a healthy vine with at least two to three leaves and a node (the point where a leaf or root emerges). Make a clean cut just below a node; each cutting should have at least one node and one leaf. Remove any leaves that would be submerged if placing in water to prevent rotting.
Cuttings can be rooted in water or directly in soil. For water propagation, place cuttings in a glass of room-temperature water, submerging the node with leaves above the waterline. Change the water every few days until roots develop in a few weeks. Once roots are 1-2 inches long, transplant into a potting mix.
For direct soil propagation, plant the cutting with the node buried 1-2 inches deep in a small pot with well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the pot in bright, indirect light. New growth indicates successful rooting; care for it as a mature specimen.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves on an Epi Mint Pothos often indicate a watering issue. Overwatering, a common cause, leads to soggy soil and can result in root rot, making leaves yellow and mushy. Conversely, severe underwatering also causes yellowing, often with dry, crispy leaves. Inconsistent watering, where soil cycles between too dry and too wet, can also stress the plant, leading to discoloration. Nutrient deficiencies or excess fertilizer can also cause yellowing.
Browning Leaf Tips/Edges
Browning leaf tips or edges point to low humidity or inconsistent watering. In dry indoor environments, especially during winter heating, the air can lack moisture, causing leaf margins to dry out. Ensuring the plant receives adequate and consistent moisture, without allowing the soil to dry out completely, helps prevent this.
Loss of Variegation
If the mint-green and cream patterns on your Epi Mint Pothos begin to fade, resulting in solid green leaves, it is a sign of insufficient light. Variegated parts of leaves have less chlorophyll and require more light to maintain coloration. Moving the plant to a brighter spot with indirect light helps restore and encourage variegation. Once a leaf has reverted to green, it will not regain its variegation.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth, characterized by long stems with sparse leaves, indicates insufficient light, as the plant stretches to find more. This results in a less full, scraggly appearance. Providing brighter, indirect light encourages more compact, bushy growth. Pruning back leggy vines also stimulates new growth closer to the base, promoting a fuller habit.
Pests
Generally resilient, Epi Mint Pothos can encounter common houseplant pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and fungus gnats. Spider mites leave fine webbing and small spots on leaves; mealybugs appear as white, cottony masses. Fungus gnats are small flying insects associated with overly moist soil. Treatment often involves wiping leaves with a damp cloth, using insecticidal soap, or applying neem oil. Addressing underlying issues like overwatering also prevents infestations.