Pothos as a Houseplant

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a common, versatile, hardy, and very easy-to-grow foliage houseplant. It is a tropical climbing vine native to the Solomon Islands. Another common name given to pothos is Devil's Ivy. It has been cultivated commercially for over 100 years and is ubiquitous in offices, other commercial venues, and many of our homes. Pothos is a great plant and gift for the houseplant novice.

The pothos leaves are heart-shaped (cordate), smooth, shiny, and fold inward along the mid-rib. They are 3 to 6 inches long and less wide. Depending on the cultivar, the leaves can vary from bright chartreuse to deep green and even variegated green and white. Its stems can reach 8 to 10 feet or longer as a vine.

Pothos looks good in a pot on a plant stand or atop a tall piece of furniture or cabinet where the vining stems can flow down to the floor. Pothos is an attractive choice if you are looking for a hanging plant. A unique way to grow pothos is on a totem. Create a moss-covered totem, and with gentle guidance, the pothos vine will attach to the totem using its adhesive aerial roots. These aerial roots develop at each node of the stem. Alternatively, pothos can be trimmed back within a few inches and kept short and bushy. In a mixed container or a container garden, the versatility of growth allows pothos to be a spiller, filler, or thriller.

Place pothos in an area with moderate to bright light and average room temperatures between 60° and 80° F. Avoid direct sun. Under these conditions, it is a vigorous and fast-growing plant. However, the plant will let you know if its favorite needs are not met. Direct sun will lead to the yellowing of leaves. It can survive in low light conditions for quite some time, but it will eventually lose its desirable leaf qualities – the variegation or brightness of foliage, depending on the cultivar. Pothos leaves will grow toward the light, so turn the container weekly to develop more balanced foliage.

Water when the soil is dry. Too much water will lead to root rot, one of only a few problems with this plant. Too little water may lead to leaves temporarily drooping. Pothos is better kept too dry than too wet - a valuable trait for busy offices, non-gardening friends, or just those busy times of the year.

For best growth, fertilize pothos with a balanced houseplant food monthly through the winter and every two weeks throughout the rest of the year. Trim as needed by shortening a vining stem with sharp scissors (just above a node) at any point along its length or by removing the entire length, leaving a 2-inch stub.

Pothos appreciates being potted up annually in the spring into a slightly larger container. Use a good quality soilless potting mix that drains well. If the plant is large and you wish to keep it in the same container, it will still benefit from repotting. Remove the plant from the container, trim some roots, and cut up to one-third of the length of the vining stems. Provide some new soil, and don't overwater. Excess water upon repotting adds additional stress to this plant. Mine have recovered from this mistake: a mistake only made once.

Pothos is a long-lived plant. I have had the same plant for more than ten years. It is also a pass-along plant. Propagation through stem cuttings is more successful during the growing season from spring through summer. Propagate through root division during its annual repotting. Pothos has aerial roots at the node, so propagation through layering can also be successful (a method that this author accidentally discovered).

One downside of this houseplant is that all parts of pothos are poisonous (yet non-lethal) to humans and their pets. The roots, stems, and leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals — irritants to the skin and oral and digestive tracts.

Pothos is sometimes mistaken for the vining heartleaf philodendron. Both houseplants are tropical and are in the arum family (Araceae). One distinguishing feature is that the petioles of pothos have a groove, especially noticeable where they seem to "grasp" the stem. Another is that newly emerging philodendron leaves have a protective sheath (a cataphyll) that will eventually dry, turn brown, and drop off. Pothos leaves emerge cleanly along the stem without a cataphyll.

Common cultivars include 'Golden' with green leaves and bright yellow variegation, 'Jade' with solid dark green leaves, 'Neon' with bright chartreuse leaves, 'Marble Queen' with green leaves and white variegation, 'Lime' with yellow-green leaves, and 'Tricolor' with green leaves variegated with white as well as stems that are off-white.

Interestingly, no hybrids exist for pothos because it rarely flowers, even in their native habitat.

Pothos is a very reliable, easy-to-tend plant that will bring life and bright beauty to different areas of your home or office. Provide it with bright indirect light, water it when dry, and fertilize it occasionally. You will be able to pass this versatile plant along to new and experienced gardening friends for years to come.