Thriving Tips For The Golden Pothos

Golden Pothos is a tropical and easy-to-care-for plant. Veteran plant collectors popularly recommend it because of its unique appearance and vibe.

This care guide contains all the information necessary to cultivate a Golden Pothos confidently. Want to purchase this plant? We have provided a list of shopping choices for you to consider. Continue reading to see why this Epipremnum is so intriguing.

What Is Golden Pothos?

The Golden Pothos is also known as Devil’s Ivy, Pothos, and Devil’s Vine.

This perennial from the Araceae family is well-known for its stunning variegation. It has heart-shaped and rich green with yellow variegation-colored leaves.

Pothos plants are often and easily confused with their Heartleaf Philodendron cousins. While they both require similar care, pothos plants tend to have larger, thicker leaves and are more likely to have marbled colors than the typical solid-green philodendron.

We will focus mainly on the optimal circumstances for growing Golden Pothos indoors, which may also be grown outdoors in zones 10-12.

Origin And Family

Devil’s Ivy originates from the Epipremnum genus, which is part of the Araceae family. The forests of Mo’orea in French Polynesia are home to this plant, but it has long since become naturalized in the forest floors of Southeast Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific Islands.

Devil’s Ivy has become a popular indoor plant in recent years, thriving in most households that give it plenty of humidity.

The Pothos species was ascribed to numerous genera and designated Pothos Aureus in 1880, which is why it is generally known as Pothos. After multiple reclassifications, our eminent botanists have officially (and accurately) categorized all Pothos variants under Epipremnum Aureum (E. Aureum).

Where To Buy

Due to its heart-shaped leaves and broad availability in garden centers, Golden Pothos is the most popular pothos cultivar. Numerous locations provide access to Golden Pothos. You can acquire one from a local nursery, but it will typically be more expensive, and you will need to transport it in your automobile. We have discovered that ordering plants online is more cost-effective. Etsy offers regular discounts and a variety of cuttings and mature plants.

The Golden Pothos is affordable, with prices between $10 for rooted cuttings or small plants and $20 for larger or more mature plants.

Golden Pothos Plant Size

As a houseplant, the Golden Pothos grows to a height of 20 to 40 feet and a width of 3 to 6 feet. Typically, it expands rapidly. Place it near a window facing east or west for optimal plant development.

Golden Pothos Care Needs

If you take proper care of your Golden Pothos, they will flourish and exhibit beautiful variegation. This plant prefers humidity and somewhat dry soil year-round.

Your Epipremnum should be watered when the top two inches of soil are dry. Ensure it is completely saturated by allowing water to run down the bottom of the pot. This plant requires bright indirect light for optimal growth.

Refer to the precise growing guidelines below to keep your Golden Pothos thriving and healthy!

Care Difficulty

The Pothos is often regarded as an easy-care plant because of its light, water, and humidity requirements. To cultivate this plant successfully, you must pay close attention to the well-draining soil and amount of light.

I want to take a cutting of this giant golden #pothos near my parents’ house SO BADLY #houseplants 🌱 pic.twitter.com/VAU20p6YW2

— Dr. Kimberly Ayers (@kimdayers) July 8, 2022

Growth Rate

The growing speed of a Devil’s Vine is typically fast. Indoors, it reaches a mature height of 20-40 feet.

You can manage this plant’s height with proper pruning during the growing season in the spring and summer.

Potting

Golden Pothos plants, in general, prefer a well-draining pot. A medium-sized plastic, terracotta, or clay pot is recommended for your Devil’s Ivy. You can also use hanging baskets to allow this plant to drape downwards, as this beauty is known to be the most popular trailing plant to care for indoors.

Lack of drainage, which causes root rot, is one of the leading causes of houseplant death. Please ensure that the bottom of your container has holes to allow excess water to drain.

Repotting

Once your plant reaches a specific size, it is advisable to transplant it to a larger container to maintain its health. When you observe roots pushing through the drainage holes, it is time to move the plant to a container a couple of inches larger.

Golden Pothos grow fast and must be repotted approximately every two years. As the soil loses its natural nutrient components over time, it is preferable to repot using average commercial potting soil.

Soil

The Pothos thrives in potting soil that is widely available. This plant prefers a relatively dry environment for its roots, so be careful to use soil components with sufficient moisture retention. Use peat, perlite, or coco coir to create your soil combination.

Adequate drainage helps to prevent root rot and other illnesses. Consider incorporating coarse and granular debris into your soil to increase aeration.

These are some fantastic possibilities for your plant’s substrate:

pH

Your Devil’s Vine prefers neutral to acidic soil, so maintain a pH between 6.1 and 6.5. If you are concerned about the acidity of your soil, you can purchase a simple pH testing device to evaluate it.

To lower the soil’s high pH levels, sulfur or aluminum sulfate could be utilized. Add baking soda, calcitic or dolomitic lime, or wood ash to raise low pH levels.

Water

The Devil’s Ivy is a humidity-loving plant that requires dry soil year-round.

Throughout the spring and summer, you should water your plant. When the soil’s top two inches are dry. Soak the ground until it drains through the opening at the bottom of the plastic, terra cotta, or clay container. When utilizing a collection tray, discard the water to prevent root rot and other plant diseases.

In the winter, less watering will be required. Continue to deeply water your plants, but less frequently.

 

Light

Golden Pothos requires 6-8 hours of bright indirect sunshine per day. Remember that you attempt to mimic its growing circumstances in the French Polynesian forests of Mo’orea. In most cases, placing this plant near an east- or west-facing window is optimal.

Golden Pothos are air-purifying plants that clean the air in your home. Many plant lovers prefer to grow this beautiful species in their bedrooms to boost indoor air quality.

You’ll know your Golden Pothos is getting too much light when its leaves are getting burned. On the other hand, its stems may grow leggy if it doesn’t get enough sunlight.

Avoid putting your Golden Pothos in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it.

Fertilizer

Here’s a common mistake by several indoor growers, they forget to fertilize. They think that water and bright indirect light are good sources of nourishment. But the truth is that the soil’s nutrients are just as vital in your plant’s overall health.

During spring and summer, fertilize your plant monthly. Your Pothos will do best with a water-soluble fertilizer. If you are using a more potent fertilizer, it may be necessary to dilute it beforehand.

During the winter, there is no need to fertilize.

Propagating Golden Pothos

It is possible to propagate a Devil’s Ivy with the proper methods. Here are various techniques for propagating this tropical houseplant.

golden pothos sprouting a new leaf and cherry tomatoes going crazy! pic.twitter.com/F53nZTZZ4A

— Leah but fucking 🏳️‍🌈exhausted 🏳️‍🌈 (@LeahCola) July 9, 2022

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Planting stem cuttings straight into the soil is fundamental to growing Devil’s Ivy. If you do not already possess this plant, you can buy a cutting from Etsy or your local Facebook Marketplace.

It is ideal for propagating between early spring and summer so your plant can recover more quickly from transplant shock.

1. Using clean shears, cut off a healthy section of the plant, and a cutting should ideally be at least three inches tall and include a few leaves and nodes.

2. Bury the stem’s nodes in moist, fresh soil in a pot or container. Use wooden skewers or pin the dirt around the stem to secure the plant. Too much movement can inhibit root development.

3. Place your container near a window in bright, indirect light. Remember to keep the soil moist.

4. Expect new roots in around two to three weeks. A developing sprout is the most reliable indicator that a cutting has successfully developed roots!

Stem Cuttings In Water

Water propagation is another easy method to root your Pothos cuttings. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Cut. After harvesting a healthy cutting, pluck off the bottom leaves from its stem.

2. Submerge. Let the cutting sit in a glass of water. To avoid rot, ensure no leaves are below the water level.

3. Maintain. Keep your cutting in an area with bright, indirect light and good air circulation. A humidifier nearby can boost the plant’s health.

4. Refill. Replace the water each time it starts to turn murky. Keep the leaf node submerged for faster root growth.

5. Transplant. Once the roots are sufficiently developed, place the cutting in clean, aerated soil. Keep the soil wet to aid with root adaptation.

Humidity And Aeration

Golden Pothos is a common plant that thrives in humid conditions. Maintain a constant humidity level between 50 and 70 percent.

Use a simple hygrometer to measure the humidity level in the air surrounding your Golden Pothos. If the humidity level is too low, you can increase it using the following techniques:

• Plants produce moisture from their leaves through transpiration; therefore, they will benefit from one another if they are kept nearby.

• Place a flat tray filled with pebbles and water beneath the plant’s container. The plant receives some nutrients from the evaporating water.

• Acquire a humidifier for your plants, continuously releasing steam and increasing the room’s relative humidity.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for your Devil’s Vine is between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Like other tropical plants, it will appreciate being kept in warm locations.

More importantly, ensure you avoid any sudden spikes or drops in temperatures. Don’t use cold or hot water to water your Devil’s Vine so its roots won’t go into shock.

Toxic

You should be responsible when handling this plant if you have small children or pets. Toxic to humans and animals alike, the Pothos plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, potentially dangerous if consumed. If eaten, the following are possible side effects: pain, vomiting, oral irritation, and difficulty swallowing. In most cases, this plant is considered non-life-threatening.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

Even with competent care, things can occasionally go awry. Pests and illnesses are unavoidable components of gardening, yet the Golden Pothos is resistant to pests and diseases.

Read the following sections for tips on diagnosing common problems and discover ways you can help your plant return to a healthy condition.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are prevalent pests, especially on Devil’s Vine. At first, spider mite damage appears as brown or yellow spots on your plant’s leaves. You may also realize that your plant’s growth has slowed or ended.

Wash your Devil’s Vine using a sink nozzle, a pressure sprayer, or a garden hose to eliminate spider mites. In addition, you can spray the leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap, but be sure to include the undersides!

Naturally, you may also introduce spider mite predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and Stethorus picipes beetles (dubbed the “Spider Mite Destroyer”). The wonderful thing about these insects is that they feed on spider mites without harming your plant!

Scale Insects

There may be lumps on the stems or leaves of your Golden Pothos caused by scale insects. Once attached to a plant, these tiny bugs, which might be green, gray, brown, or black, are often sedentary.

If the infestation is not too bad, you can dissuade scale insects from attacking your plant with a teaspoon of neem oil diluted in four glasses of water. Spray the plant vigorously with a spray bottle.

Neem oil and horticultural oils may not kill the bugs, but they will do them irreparable harm. Multiple pesticide sprays against scales are deemed acceptable for indoor use.

Mealybugs

On Devil’s Vine, mealybug infestations are pretty prevalent. Take fast action if you discover these tiny parasites (typically recognizable by white puffs on the leaves) on any of your houseplants.

Pour isopropyl alcohol onto a cotton ball, and then massage it over the plant’s leaves and stem. Also beneficial as a preventative spray is neem oil.

Brown Leaf Tips

Causes of brown leaf tips on your Devil’s Ivy include low humidity, waterlogging, root injury, and soil compaction.

Occasionally, you may need to allow water to flow through the soil for a few minutes to remove excess minerals, salts, fertilizers, and pesticides. As long as you have a substrate that drains quickly and a container with drainage holes, you need not worry about drowning your plant’s roots.

bought my first golden pothos 🙂 i can’t wait til it takes over my room pic.twitter.com/1mPClEwjDM

— hanging out (@legallyines) July 2, 2022

Drooping Leaves

Drooping leaves on the Golden Pothos can be caused by inconsistent watering, incorrect lighting, and lack of humidity. It might also help clean your plant’s leaves with plain water and a microfiber cloth to remove the layer of dust that can interfere with photosynthesis.

Yellow Leaves

If you notice that the green leaves of your Pothos are turning yellow, you will need to trace any recent adjustments in your usual care practices or the weather.

Overwatering, underwatering, overfertilizing, under fertilizing, too much light, lack of light, root damage, temperature swings, and pests can cause yellowing leaves.

Root Rot

Root rot is a significant threat to Devil’s Vine. Indoor gardeners tend to overwater their plants or forget to provide proper drainage. Rotting roots appear black and mushy, leading to a plant’s decline and eventual death. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure.

The easiest way to prevent root rot is to regulate water intake. Prolong the gap between watering schedules, especially when your plant doesn’t receive enough sunlight and wind to dry the soil. Also, don’t forget to drill holes in the bottom of your pot to allow the water to drain!

Soil aeration is just as crucial in preventing root rot. If your soil tends to become compact and water-logged, add chunky and airy materials such as perlite, pumice, orchid bark, horticultural coal, coco chunks, river sand, and many others.

Similar Plants

Love Devil’s Ivy? Here are some other popular houseplants you should try:

Jade Pothos: – Jade Pothos is a low-maintenance tropical plant that can brighten up any interior space. Plant collectors adore this houseplant because of its unusual look and feel.

Global Green Pothos: – The Global Green Pothos is an easy-to-care-for tropical plant that will liven up any indoor garden. This plant is sought-after by plant lovers for its distinctive appearance, feel, and the positive vibe it brings.

Dragon’s Tail: – The classy appearance of this plant makes it one of the must-have Pothos today. It’s effortless to care for and brings a tropical and refreshing vibe to the home.

Snow Queen: – With its specks of green, cream, and white variegation, this royal-looking plant is an excellent addition to any indoor garden. It’s a lovely ornamental item best displayed as a centerpiece.

Conclusion

With its stunning variegation, the Golden Pothos grows beautifully indoors. Plus, it’s one of the easiest houseplants to care for, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

It prefers indirect sun, high humidity, relatively dry soil, and warm temperatures.

Use these instructions to cultivate your Golden Pothos if you’re searching for a new addition to your collection or just starting out as an indoor gardener!

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