Golden pothos

Identification and origin

Epipremnum aureum belongs to the arum family, Araceae. It is native to the Society Islands of French Polynesia but has naturalized in many tropical regions: Florida, Hawaii, the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia and Queensland. It was long known as Scindapsus aureus or Pothos aureus, hence its common name. The genus name, from the Greek epi (upon) and premnon (trunk), refers to its habit of climbing tree trunks; aureum means golden.

It is an evergreen herbaceous vine that clings to trunks with brown aerial roots or sprawls across the ground. In the wild its stems exceed 39.5 ft; indoors they usually reach 6–8 ft and can grow 12–18 in in a month under good conditions. In a pot the plant stays in its juvenile stage: alternate, heart-shaped, waxy, smooth and slightly leathery leaves 3–6 in long, green variegated with yellow, cream or white depending on the cultivar. Given a support to climb toward the light, the mature plant develops much larger, deeply lobed leaves up to 2.5 ft long. Potted plants rarely flower or set berries.

To tell it from heartleaf philodendron: the pothos leaf stalk is grooved, and new leaves do not carry a sheath that later falls away. Common cultivars include ‘Golden’ (gold-marbled), ‘Marble Queen’ (white-marbled), ‘Neon’ (bright yellow), ‘Jade’ (solid green, the most shade-tolerant), ‘Pearls and Jade’, ‘Snow Queen’ and ‘Manjula’.

Light

Ideally bright, filtered light without harsh afternoon sun. It tolerates low light, including office lighting, and keeps growing there, but variegated leaves lose their color and revert to green. The paler the cultivar, the more light it needs (‘Marble Queen’, ‘Pearls and Jade’, ‘Snow Queen’) and the more easily it burns in direct sun. Leaves that turn pale, on the other hand, signal too much light.

Watering

Water thoroughly to wet the whole root ball, empty the saucer after about fifteen minutes, then let the mix dry before watering again: at least the surface during active growth, or even the whole root ball. The brighter and warmer its spot, the more it drinks. In winter, just keep the root ball from drying out completely.

What to watch for: black spots or blackening leaf edges, yellow leaves that drop and rotting stems all point to too much water; drooping leaves mean thirst; dry brown edges mean the root ball stayed dry too long.

It prefers high humidity but adapts to typical home levels. Bathrooms and kitchens suit it well; if leaf tips turn brown, mist the foliage.

Potting mix

An airy, well-drained mix, peat-based or soil-based, in a pot with drainage holes. From spring to late summer, a balanced fertilizer every other month is enough; do not feed in winter, while the plant rests.

Temperature

It thrives between 64–81 °F. In winter it appreciates a rest around 61 °F; do not let it drop below 55 °F. Brown patches appear on the leaves after exposure to 34–39 °F or after a sudden temperature change. Keep it away from cold windows, air-conditioning vents and heating vents. Planted in the ground year-round, it only grows in USDA zones 10 to 12, where it reaches its full mature size.

Repotting

Repot when roots poke out of the drainage holes or the plant is root-bound, usually every one to two years, in spring, into a container just one size larger. A pot with drainage holes is essential.

Pruning

Pinch or cut back stems in spring to control size and keep the plant bushy, especially in hanging baskets. The pieces you remove can be used as cuttings. Wipe the leaves now and then with a soft cloth to remove dust.

Propagation

Stem cuttings could hardly be easier. Cut just below a node (the point where a leaf attaches): each cutting needs at least one. Set it in water or directly in potting mix; in water, roots form in about two weeks. Then pot the rooted cutting in potting mix.

Common problems

• Pests: mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites and thrips. Indoors it is usually little troubled; insecticidal soap controls mealybugs.
• Root rot: too much water or poor drainage.
• Leaf diseases: fungal leaf spot and gray mold.
• Yellow leaves: overwatering or lack of fertilizer.
• Scorch and dry tips: air too dry or light too intense.
• Loss of variegation: not enough light.
• Brown patches: a chill or a sudden temperature change.

The same symptom can have several causes: always weigh watering, light, temperature and humidity together before acting.

Toxicity

Toxic to dogs, cats and people: all parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing them causes irritation and intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing; in people, diarrhea and skin irritation from contact with the sap can also occur. Place it up high or in a hanging basket, out of reach of children and pets, and if any is swallowed, call a veterinarian or Poison Control.