Pothos – Types, Care, and Propagation
Pothos – An Introduction
Pothos is without a doubt one of the easiest houseplants to grow at home. It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced or professional gardener or a completely inexperienced one, pothos is the first plant love of every gardener. With its heart-shaped leaves growing with abandon, the pothos can turn almost any space into a tropical paradise.
Also known as the devil’s ivy, it has earned its name because it’s almost impossible to kill and can grow anywhere, in full sun as well as under fluorescent lights. The leaves of this low-maintenance perennial are either solid rich green or variegated with white and yellow or pale green. Famous in India as the money plant, it can be planted all year round and grows quickly, over 12 to 18 inches in a month.
The pothos is an excellent indoor plant for homes as it is an excellent air-purifying plant that removes toxins like formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene amongst many others. In addition to it, its climbing nature with aerial roots makes it suitable for growing in tight spaces. However, the plant is toxic to pets so keep it out of reach of your furry friends in hanging baskets and planters.
Common names: Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Devil’s Vine, Money Plant, Ceylon creeper, Taro vine, Ivy arum, Silvervine, and Solomon Islands ivy.
Types of Pothos
The pothos, botanical name: Epipremnum aureum, is often confused with the common philodendron for their similarity. They not only look similar but they also have the same care regime.
Here are some of the most common and widely loved pothos varieties
- Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): The original variety with heart-shaped leaves and milky white/yellow variegations on heart-shaped leaves.
- Marble pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’): A common pothos variety with heavily streaked leaves in creamy white.
- Neon Pothos (Epipremnum ‘Neon’): One of the most distinct varieties with big heart-shaped leaves in neon green or golden yellow and no variegations.
- Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus): Thick waxy and dark moss-colored heart-shaped leaves with silvery variegations.
Pothos Plant Care
One of the easiest plants to care for, the pothos are generally overlooked in favour of more flamboyant plants. However, it is the best option if you want to give your home a tropical vibe with the least amount of effort.
Let’s take a look at caring for pothos plants and growing tips.
Light
Pothos can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but when grown indoors it prefers bright indirect light to thrive. Pothos can survive in medium light too but the rate of growth slows down. If you have a variegated pothos variety, the leaves might revert to solid green in low-light conditions but once you place it in the sun, the new growth will again start sporting the variegations. If your leaves are extremely pale, it indicates too much sunlight.
Water
The key point to be kept in mind while watering pothos is that they like it when the soil dries out in between waterings. If the plant is kept in soggy soil at all times, it will lead to root rot and black spots on the leaves is a clear sign of overwatering.
Water your pothos deeply when the soil dries out completely or when the leaves start drooping to show dehydration. However, don’t wait till the leaves shrivel before watering as it will lead to leaf drops and browning of leaf edges.
When watering your dried potting mix, water it in batches to ensure that the soil absorbs all the water and it just doesn’t run out of the planter. Water a little and then wait for a while for the soil to soak up the water before watering it again till it drains out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the planter.
Soil
The pothos plant is not very finicky about the soil it grows in. It thrives in a well-draining but a rich potting mix. The key points to be kept in mind is allowing the soil to dry in between waterings and also aerate the soil once in a while.
Suggested soil mix: Equal parts Ugaoo Garden Soil, Ugaoo Pot-o-Mix, Ugaoo Vermicompost
Fertilisers
Use a well-balanced and generic houseplant fertiliser for your pothos plant. They are not heavy feeders and do well with both root and foliar application every 15 days. Use a good quality fertiliser like the Ugaoo Plant Tonic for this. Using NPK is also a good idea. Dilute the fertiliser as instructed and apply directly to roots once in 15 days and put it in a misting spray and do a foliar application too once in 15 days. The foliar application guarantees bigger and showier leaves.
Pruning
The pothos plant does not require any pruning as such. Pruning for pothos comes into play in two instances; one is to remove dead foliage and the other is to manage the shape and growing pattern of the plant. Simply use sharp clean pruning shears or scissors to prune away stems at the required length, cut at an incline in between leaf nodes.
To remove dead or yellowing leaves, just pinch it away ensuring the leaf stalk is also removed from the main stem.
Propagating Pothos
Propagating pothos is something that can give even a novice gardener confidence to propagate. Simply, use sharp pruning shears or scissors to take stem cutting with at least one leaf and root node. Place these cuttings in water or potting mix, such that the root node is under soil or water and keep it in a well-lit place. If planting directly in soil, keep the potting mix moist at all times. New roots should appear in a week and new growth can be seen in the next two weeks.
Problems with Pothos and how to deal with them
Pothos is generally hassle-free and has no major issues. Some issues with money plants and their solutions are as follows:
- Mealybugs: Mealybugs settle in the nooks and crannies, especially where the leaf joins the stem. When the infestation is too widespread, you can see mealy bugs openly on the stem, leaf underside, and clumped around the aerial root ends.
To get rid of the mealybugs, timely action is essential. Physically remove the mealy bugs with a q-tip dipped in an alcohol solution or soap water solution. You can also use pressurized water spray to dislodge the bugs and check the leaf underside too.
Follow up the physical removal of bugs with regular spray with neem oil solution. Spray neem oil solution on your plants as a preventive measure every 15 days.
- Yellowing leaves are a clear sign of overwatering. Water only when the potting mix is dry, water thoroughly till it drains out from the drainage hole at the bottom.
- Bleached or lighter leaves are a sign of too much sunlight. Shift your plants to a place with lower intensity of light.
- Loss of variegations is because of too little light. While the leaves do not get back its variegations, you can place it in brighter light so that the new growth gets back its variegations.
- Browning leaf tips can be due to irregular watering schedules. While the plant loves it when the soil dries out in between waterings, do not keep the soil dry for too long. Long dry spells cause the leaves to shrivel and dry.
FAQs
Are pothos (Epipremnum aureum) plants poisonous?
In which direction should I keep the pothos plant at home?
How much time does Pothos take to grow?
Where can I buy Pothos?
Are pothos (Epipremnum aureum) plants poisonous?
In which direction should I keep the pothos plant at home?
How much time does Pothos take to grow?
Where can I buy Pothos?
Happy gardening!
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