Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), often called Pothos, is a popular and resilient houseplant. Its cascading vines and heart-shaped leaves enhance any indoor space. Understanding its growth rate is key for cultivating lush foliage.
Understanding Devil’s Ivy Growth
Devil’s Ivy exhibits vigorous growth under suitable indoor conditions. Its vining habit allows stems to extend significantly, making it ideal for hanging baskets or climbing. Under optimal conditions, Pothos can grow 12 to 18 inches per month during its active growing season. This rapid extension signifies fast growth, with new leaves unfurling regularly. Slow growth indicates less than ideal conditions or dormancy, particularly in cooler months.
Key Factors Influencing Growth
Several environmental and care factors directly impact Devil’s Ivy’s growth rate, and understanding them helps cultivate a thriving plant.
Light significantly influences Pothos’s growth. While adaptable to low-light, Devil’s Ivy thrives and grows fastest in bright, indirect light. Insufficient light leads to slower growth, smaller leaves, and leggy stems with sparse foliage. Direct sunlight can scorch leaves, causing them to turn pale or brown, and may stunt growth.
Proper watering is crucial. Devil’s Ivy prefers its soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root issues. Overwatering causes root rot and stunted growth, characterized by yellowing leaves. Underwatering, while tolerated briefly, slows growth and causes leaves to droop. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry.
Soil composition and nutrient availability affect growth. Devil’s Ivy performs best in well-draining potting mixes. A neutral to slightly acidic soil pH (6.1-6.8) supports optimal nutrient absorption. Nutrient deficiencies impede growth, so a balanced nutrient supply is important.
Temperature and humidity levels contribute to the plant’s vitality. Pothos prefers temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Temperatures below 50°F stress the plant and slow growth. While adaptable to average household humidity, higher levels (40-70%) encourage robust growth and larger leaves.
Promoting Healthy Growth
To encourage vigorous growth, implement specific care routines. Place the plant near an east or west-facing window, or a few feet from a south-facing window, for bright, indirect light. If natural light is limited, supplemental grow lights can provide necessary illumination.
Establish a consistent watering routine. Check the top 1-2 inches of soil for dryness before watering to prevent over or underwatering. During active growth (spring and summer), watering may be weekly; in winter, frequency decreases.
Regular fertilization provides essential nutrients. During the growing season (spring and summer), apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer monthly or every 4-6 weeks. Dilute fertilizers to half strength to prevent over-fertilization, which can cause salt buildup and stunted growth.
Maintain appropriate environmental conditions. Keep indoor temperatures within 65-85°F. Increasing humidity through misting, grouping plants, or using a humidifier benefits the plant, especially in drier environments.
Managing Growth and Size
Once Devil’s Ivy grows well, managing its size and shape is important. Pruning encourages a fuller, bushier plant. Cut vines just above a node (where leaves emerge) to stimulate new, denser growth. The best time for significant pruning is during the active growing season (spring or early fall) for quick recovery and new growth.
Leggy growth, characterized by long stems with widely spaced leaves, often results from insufficient light or infrequent pruning. Prune leggy vines back to encourage new shoots closer to the plant’s base, creating a more compact plant. Moving the plant to a brighter location after pruning can also prevent future legginess.
Providing support for vining stems influences growth habits. Devil’s Ivy naturally climbs, so a moss pole or trellis allows it to grow upward. Training vines to climb can result in larger leaves and a more vertical display, as aerial roots anchor into the support.