The Golden Pothos, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is a popular houseplant recognized for its rapid growth and striking foliage. This plant features glossy, heart-shaped leaves that are typically a vibrant green, heavily streaked or speckled with golden-yellow variegation. Due to its extreme hardiness and tendency to remain green even in poor lighting conditions, it has earned the popular nickname “Devil’s Ivy”. The plant grows as a vigorous vine, which makes it an excellent choice for indoor displays where its trailing stems can cascade down shelves or hang from baskets.
Air Quality Improvement
One of the most notable benefits of the Golden Pothos is its documented ability to filter certain harmful airborne chemicals from indoor environments. This plant gained significant attention for its air-purifying capabilities following the 1989 NASA Clean Air Study, which investigated methods for cleaning the air in sealed environments like future space stations. The research demonstrated that the plant system is effective at removing specific Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are commonly found inside modern, energy-efficient buildings.
These VOCs are gases released from everyday household items, including formaldehyde from pressed-wood products and fabrics, and benzene and trichloroethylene from paints, solvents, and cleaning supplies. The plant and its surrounding system work together to process these contaminants. The leaves absorb some of the gaseous pollutants directly, but the primary mechanism for purification occurs in the root-soil zone.
Microorganisms living in the plant’s soil break down the VOC molecules that are delivered to the roots through the air, converting them into harmless substances. This process transforms the pollutants into nutrients and new plant tissue, effectively removing them from the air circulating in the room. While a single plant’s impact is localized, its inclusion in an indoor space contributes to a passive system for reducing trace contaminants.
Adaptability and Resilience in Home Environments
The Golden Pothos is valued for its resilience and undemanding care requirements, making it an ideal choice for new plant owners. Its ability to tolerate a wide range of light conditions is a major advantage for indoor cultivation. While the plant prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its striking golden variegation, it can survive in much lower light settings.
In dimmer locations, the plant may slow its growth and the yellow streaks on the leaves may revert to a more uniform green, but the plant will generally remain healthy. This tolerance for neglect is also evident in its watering needs. The plant is fairly drought-tolerant and thrives best when the top few inches of soil are allowed to dry out completely between waterings.
Forgetting a watering session occasionally will not cause lasting damage; the plant will often signal its thirst by displaying slightly drooping leaves, which quickly recover once watered. The plant’s naturally trailing or climbing growth habit lends itself to versatile placement within the home. It is frequently grown in hanging baskets or placed on high shelves, where its long, flexible vines can create a curtain of foliage.
Essential Safety Considerations
Despite its beneficial qualities and ease of care, the Golden Pothos contains compounds that are toxic if ingested, requiring careful placement in a home environment. The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which are microscopic, needle-shaped structures found throughout the leaves and stems. When a piece of the plant is chewed or swallowed, these crystals are released and physically penetrate the delicate tissues of the mouth and digestive tract.
This mechanical irritation causes immediate and intense symptoms. In humans, especially small children, and pets like dogs and cats, ingestion typically results in intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips. Other common reactions include excessive drooling, swelling of the oral tissues, and difficulty swallowing.
While ingestion is rarely fatal, the reaction is painful and can be severe enough to cause vomiting and a temporary loss of appetite. Owners must ensure the plant is placed well out of reach of children and household pets, often by using high shelves or hanging planters, to prevent accidental consumption.