how to care for epipremnum (pothos)

detailed care guide for epipremnum (pothos)

  Scientific Name: Epipremnum (a.k.a. Pothos, Scindapsus, Devil’s Ivy) Varieties: (list only includes varieties sold by Leafy Life)

• Epipremnum ‘Marble Queen’ – leaves have white ‘marbling’ variegation
• Epipremnum ‘Neon Pothos’ – leaves are a bright neon yellow

Origin: Solomon Islands Light: Pothos prefers bright but indirect light although they can also adapt to partial shade. Variegated plants sometimes lose their leaf pattern and revert to all-green plants if they don’t get enough light; moving them to brighter conditions usually restores the variegation. Suddenly paler-looking leaves mean the plant is getting too much sun. If you notice it is getting leggy, it may need more light. Water: Pothos like to have their soil dry out completely between waterings. If left continually in damp soil, the roots will rot. Black spots on the leaves and the sudden collapse of the plant indicate the soil has been kept too wet. Let the plant tell you when to water — when it starts to droop, it needs a good drink. However, don’t wait until the leaves start to shrivel or you will lose some leaves. Dry, brown edges mean the plant was kept dry too long. Soil: Pothos plants thrive in ordinary, well-draining potting soil. Temperature: Pothos should be kept at room temperature of 18 to 24°C. Fertilizer: Pothos aren’t heavy feeders, but since there are no nutrients in most potting soils, feed monthly to bi-monthly with any balanced houseplant fertilizer during growing season. Humidity: This plant likes high humidity but it is very tolerant and can thrive even where there is low humidity. For best results, mist once a week in the summer and once every two weeks in the winter. Pruning: Keep the stems trimmed relatively short to keep foliage full along the full stems. If stems grow bare, they can be cut back to the soil level, and new stems will sprout. Re-Potting: Eventually, your Pothos will become pot bound. When the leaves droop, no matter how much or often you water them, the roots have probably filled the pot. Carefully lift the plant and check to see if this is the problem. When the plant has reached this stage, you can re-pot in a container one or two sizes larger, filled with fresh potting soil. Propagation: This plant is easily propagated simply by taking stem cuttings and rooting them in water or in potting soil. Move cuttings rooted in water into the soil as soon as possible so they can begin getting nutrients. Diseases and Pests: Diseases and pest problems in Epipremnum are not common, although they do exist. One of the biggest culprits of both is overwatering so watering plants only when they need it will help prevent problems. Toxicity: These plants are poisonous. Keep them away from children and pets and take care when handling.

epipremnum (pothos) origins & overview

  Pothos (a.k.a. Epipremnum, Scindapsus) is a type of flowering vine in the arum family Araceae. It is native to tropical countries where warm temperatures and high humidity help the plant thrive. Although Pothos flowers in its native habitat, it rarely—if ever—flowers indoors. Leaves in the shape of a heart identify Pothos plant. These heart-shaped leaves grow on long trailing vines that reach between 1.8 – 3m long indoors. Regular pruning can help to control growth and also help the plant foliage to grow bushier. Pothos looks good as an indoor hanging basket plant with its dangling bright foliage. Or, you can train pothos to climb vertically up a moss pole or other suitable support.

epipremnum (pothos) light requirements

 

All types of Pothos plants grow in bright light to partial shade. When growing in pots indoors, it’s vital to protect Pothos vines from direct sunlight. The best location for a Pothos is in a bright east- or west-facing room. In a south-facing place, keep the hanging plant away from windows. Pothos plants are hardy houseplants and will adapt to most lighting conditions. Because of their tolerance for low light or artificial light, they are excellent shower plants for the bathroom. However, you may find that growing in minimal light tends to cause variegation to fade.

how to water the epipremnum (pothos)

How often you need to water a pothos plant depends on the moisture in the soil. Pothos plants thrive when the soil is slightly moist, but not too damp. The time to water a neon pothos—or any variety of pothos—is when the top 2.5 cm of soil has dried out. Thoroughly water the plant so that water drains from the bottom. Then, only water again when the potting soil is partly dry.

Infrequent thorough watering is better for your plant than frequent light watering. Plenty of water running through the soil allows the roots to get nourished. The essential care advice when it comes to watering a Pothos is to avoid the pot sitting in a saucer or tray of water.

You need to water houseplants more frequently in summer than in winter. Warm air temperature, household heating, and sunlight can dry out soil faster. So, before watering, gently press the Pothos soil. If it’s dry to touch, it’s time to water. If there’s any moisture, then wait until the soil dries.

repotting the epipremnum (pothos)

 

In time, you need to repot a Pothos plant when it becomes rootbound. Even if you want to keep it in a similar-sized pot, removing the plant from the container to trim its roots gives the roots more room. Also, a fresh potting mix can help to promote vigorous growth.

Signs that its time to repot include roots poking out the drainage holes, wilting leaves, and poor drainage.

How to repot a Neon Pothos:

• Carefully remove the root ball from the pot.
• Shake off excess soil or put the roots under a running tap.
• Untangle roots if necessary.
• Check the roots for signs of damage—brown roots or diseased roots.
• Half-fill a new pot with fresh potting mix.
• Put the root ball in the pot, making sure that it is growing at the same height.
• Fill the remaining space in the container with potting soil.
• Water thoroughly.