Green Goddess Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Green Goddess’) is a popular indoor plant. Its vibrant foliage and adaptable nature make it a favored choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. This cultivar offers a refreshing touch of greenery to any living space.
Understanding Green Goddess Pothos
The Green Goddess Pothos distinguishes itself with striking, uniformly chartreuse to lime-green leaves. Unlike variegated Pothos varieties, this cultivar maintains a consistent, bright green hue across its heart-shaped foliage. Its leaves can grow quite large, developing a textured, almost leathery feel as they mature. This plant exhibits a trailing or vining growth habit, making it suitable for hanging baskets or climbing with support.
Green Goddess Pothos Care Guide
Light Needs
Green Goddess Pothos thrives in bright, indirect light. Place it near an east or north-facing window, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window. Direct sun exposure can scorch its leaves, causing brown, crispy patches. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth with smaller, less vibrant leaves as the plant stretches for more light.
Watering Practices
Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings. To check, insert a finger into the soil; if it feels dry, water thoroughly until it drains from the pot’s bottom. Adequate drainage is important, as soggy soil can lead to root rot. Underwatering, characterized by drooping or wilting leaves, is often easier to remedy than overwatering.
Soil Requirements
A well-draining potting mix is essential for Green Goddess Pothos. A suitable blend includes peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention, perlite or pumice for aeration and drainage, and a standard potting mix. This combination supports healthy root development by preventing waterlogged conditions while providing necessary moisture. Optimal soil ensures proper drainage and adequate air circulation around the root system.
Temperature and Humidity
This Pothos variety prefers average room temperatures, ideally 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C). It does not tolerate cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C), which can stress the plant and damage foliage. Green Goddess Pothos appreciates moderate to high humidity. While it tolerates average household humidity, increasing it with a pebble tray or humidifier can promote vigorous growth and prevent leaf crisping.
Fertilization
Fertilize Green Goddess Pothos during its active growing season, from spring through early autumn. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength, every 2 to 4 weeks. During dormant winter months, reduce or cease fertilization. Over-fertilizing can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil, causing root burn and yellowing or browning of leaf margins.
Propagating Green Goddess Pothos
Propagating Green Goddess Pothos is commonly achieved through stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem section with at least two to three leaves and a node, the small bump on the stem where a leaf or aerial root emerges. Make a clean cut about half an inch below a node, ensuring the cutting is several inches long. Remove the bottom leaf or two to expose the node.
Place the cutting in a glass of water, ensuring the node is submerged, and change the water every few days. Roots begin to form within a few weeks. Once roots are about an inch long, transplant the cutting into a small pot with well-draining potting mix. Alternatively, cuttings can be directly planted into moist soil, though rooting may take slightly longer.
Common Problems and Solutions
Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering, where saturated soil deprives roots of oxygen. To address this, allow the soil to dry out more thoroughly between waterings and ensure adequate drainage holes. Browning or crispy leaf tips signal insufficient humidity or underwatering. Increasing ambient humidity or adjusting the watering schedule can help mitigate this.
Leggy growth, characterized by long, bare stems with sparse leaves, results from inadequate light exposure. Moving the plant to a brighter location with indirect light encourages more compact and bushy growth. A lack of new growth or stunted development might suggest a need for fertilization during the growing season. Applying a diluted liquid fertilizer provides necessary nutrients for renewed vigor.