Pothos is a fair popular and easy - to - grow theater plant that has attractive , showy leaves that can be green , variegated , or even gilded .

It can tolerate low light , drought , and some neglect , making it a sound industrial plant for beginners and busy people . But that does not mean you should n’t take car of your Pothos – and you will find everything you need to do that here . you’re able to also scan our separata article about generalhouse plant guardianship .

Pothos can be exhibit in hang baskets , on shelves , or as a climbing works with a moss - rod support . Pothos is also known for its air travel - purifying abilities , as it can polish off toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the indoor environment .

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Golden Pothos: ideal location for optimum light

The naming of Pothos

As with so many house industrial plant , there are multiple name by which Pothos is known .

The accept scientific name is Epipremnum aureum , but the plant is also often known ( and sold ) as Scindapsus aureus or Pothos aureus .

Technically Epipremnum and Scindapsus are distinct plant geni , although the only literal difference is that Epipremnum produces a single ovule in each ovary , whereas Scindapsus has multiple ovules . In verity , the difference is barely obtrusive , specially as the works rarely blossom as house plant .

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Golden Pothos: ideal location for optimum light

Pothos is more often called Devil’sIvyin the UK , but in the USA it is in general known as Golden Pothos .

There are multiple Pothos varieties , mostly with different form of diversification on their leaves , such as Hawaiian Pothos , Pearls and Jade Pothos , Snow Queen Pothos , Harlequin Pothos , Marble Queen Pothos and Pothos NJoy .

Pothos: the plant of longing and desire

The name Pothos isrelated to Hellenic mythology , where Pothos was one of Aphrodite ’s Erotes ( winged gods of love ) , who represented longing or desire . Pothos was the brother of Eros , the Greek God represent love .

As the god of yearning , Pothos fire powerful tactual sensation of want someone unavailable or far away . While Eros represented the passion of love itself , Pothos governed yearning for a loved one who could not be give .

In ancient Greece , the ashen asphodel flower was sometimes referred to as “ pothos . ” However , or else of symbolizing romantic pining , the asphodel signified bereavement and death . This connexion between Pothos and the sorrowful asphodel suggest that Pothos be not only titillating craving , but also grieving for an absent loved one drop off permanently in death .

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Golden Pothos: key facts

Golden Pothos growing conditions

Pothos is a fairly low - upkeep plant that can adapt to a variety of term . However , for optimal growth and wellness , it prefer the following :

Golden Pothos care guide

Light

Golden Pothos can grow in grim - twinkle consideration , but it will acquire quicker and more vigorously in bright , indirect light . A honorable spot for Pothos is near a windowpane that get filtered light or weak morning Dominicus .

If Pothos does not experience enough light , it may lose its variegation and become long-legged .

quash placing Pothos in verbatim sun , as it can sear the leaves and cause them to fade . This is because the plant adapts to lower light atmospheric condition and have soft sparse leave of absence with more chlorophyl to photosynthesis . plant life adapt to full sun have tigher leaves , often with protective waxy or hairy coating .

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Soil and feeding

Golden Pothos can grow in any standard houseplant potting commixture that is well - draining and rich in organic topic . you’re able to also use a chunky , well - enfeeble arum commixture that turn back perlite , orchid barque , or coco coir .

Pothos does not need much fertilizer , but you may feed it monthly with a balanced theatre plant solid food during spring and summertime .

Do not overfeed your Pothos , as this can do salt buildup in the soil and damage the root . But , if you note icteric leave of absence or stunted growth , your Pothos may need a provender .

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Watering

Golden Pothos is drought tolerant and loosely prefers to be watered moderately , although more frequently in Spring and Summer . Here are the fundamental point to remember :

Pruning

Golden Pothos can grow very long and vine - like , so you may want to prune it to keep it compact and shaggy . Here is how :

Propagation

Golden Pothos is very easy to broadcast from stem cuttings . you’re able to propagate your pothos at any clock time of the class , but spring is the best clock time for faster rout .

There are two main method to propagate your pothos : water propagation and ground propagation .

Cut off a stem that has at least one node on it . Place it in a glass or jar filled with a few inches of piddle . ensure the node is submerged in weewee .

Golden Pothos

Change the water every few mean solar day to keep it brisk . Wait for root to form , which can take from a few days to a few weeks .

Once the roots are about an in long , you could pot up the cutting in a small pot with a very well drain potting commixture ( rafts of guts or perlite ) and water it well .

slew off a base that has at least one lymph gland on it . Dip the cut end in some rooting hormone pulverisation ( optional ) .

Golden Pothos

Insert the cutting into a small toilet with moist potting mix . check that the knob is buried in the grease .

comprehend the pot with a moldable bag or dome to produce a humid environment . Place the pot in a bright , collateral light spot . Keep the soil moist but not inert .

expect for roots to form , which can take from a few calendar week to a few months . you could check for roots by gently removing the muckle or looking for any roots at the drain hole .

House plant bright light

Golden Pothos: ideal location for optimum light

Once the cutting is rootle , you may take away the cover song and care for it as usual .

Golden Pothos common problems and solutions

Golden Pothos is generally plague - free and disease - resistant , but it can suffer from some common problems if the growing condition are not optimal .

Here are some of the issues that can regard Pothos and how to foreclose and do by them :

Golden Pothos troubleshooting quick guide

Leaves and shoots

Roots

Pests

Diseases

Golden Pothos toxicity to cats and other pets

Is your Pothos works toxic to favourite ?

The brusque answer is yes . Your Epipremnum aureum industrial plant is toxic to pets ( and mankind ) if ingest . This is because it contains atomic number 20 oxalate crystal that can cause temper , swelling , vomiting , or difficulty breathing .

Keep your plant out of reach of children and pet , and adjoin your doctor or veterinary surgeon if you mistrust toxic condition .

propagating Golden Pothos

Winter care

Golden Pothos plants can hold up in a kitchen stove of temperature , but they favor warmer conditions . In winter , they may take some extra forethought to keep them healthy and happy , such as :

Read more about how tooverwinter your house plantshere .

Golden Pothos: Frequently asked questions

How often should I water my Golden Pothos

Pothos is drouth patient of , but need to be water regularly in the growing season ( saltation and summer ) . How often you water Pothos depends on the growing environs and how quickly it dries out between waterings .

The importnat distributor point to recollect is that Pothos does not tolerate waterlogged soils . So let the top in ( 2.5 cm ) of soil dry out between lacrimation .

Also , cut down tearing frequency in winter . This is because the plant is abeyant and take up water much less slowly through its roots . Overwatering in wintertime is the biggest cause of root rot problems in Pothos .

How often should I fertilise my Golden Pothos plant?

You should fertilise your Pothos plant once a month during outflow and summertime with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength . Do not fertilise in winter , as the plant is dormant and does not take extra nutrients .

How do I propagate my Golden Pothos plant?

you could well propagate your Pothos works by adopt stem cuttings that have at least one guest ( a bump where a leafage attache ) and placing them in urine or grunge . In urine , transfer the body of water every few days and wait for ancestor to form . In soil , implant the cuttings in moist potting mixture and keep them in bright , indirect light . See further details above .

Why are my Golden Pothos leaves turning yellow?

There are several potential cause why your Pothos leaves are turning yellow , such as overwatering , underwatering , too much sunlight , nutrient deficiency , or pest plague . To fix it , check the ground moisture , adapt the watering docket , move the plant to a shadier spot , utilize fertiliser , or treat pests accordingly .

Can I grow my Golden Pothos plant outdoors?

you could develop your Pothos works outdoors if you live in a warm climate ( Agriculture geographical zone 10 to 12 ) where the temperature does not shake off below 50 ° farad ( 10 ° C ) . However , you should acclimate your plant gradually to outdoor condition and protect it from direct sunshine , impregnable winds , and frost .

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Martin Cole has been an avid plant life lover and nurseryman for more than 20 yr and know to talk and compose about gardening . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year contest . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .

He antecedently survive in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a sheepskin grade in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The website is aimed at everybody who love plant or has been seize with teeth by the gardening microbe and require to know more .

Gardening pace by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s   largest mail order plant retail merchant , as a website that put out practiced gardening content .