Pothos is a common type of houseplant a lot of people consider because of its beauty, ease to grow, and low maintenance requirements. There are a lot of pothos varieties you can choose from, Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) being one of them.
Also known as Devil’s ivy, this is a viney plant that belongs to the Araceae family. It is a fast-growing, evergreen, tropical vine whose origin is the Solomon Islands. If you are in USDA zones 1-0 through 12, you can plant golden pothos outdoor. However, it is a great indoor plant for any growing zone.
In USDA zone 9b, it might freeze in winter but will resprout during spring. Its inability to die and the fact that it’s very invasive are the reasons why it got the name devil’s ivy.
Golden ivy is a fast-growing viney pant, and its size depends on where you plant it. If you plant it outdoors, it could grow up to a height of up to 40 feet, while indoors, its maximum length is around 608 feet if you do not prune it.
It has heart-shaped and waxy leaves variegated with green and bright yellow. The size of the leaves also depends on whether you grow it indoors or outdoors. If you have it as an indoor plant, the leaves could grow up to 4 inches long, while outdoors, they could be as big as 30 inches long.
Golden pothos rarely blooms when you plant them indoors. However, outdoor plants produce tiny flowers surrounded by a 6-inch green spathe.
In some areas, golden pothos could grow so big and become invasive, killing the native vegetation. However, if you grow it indoors, it not only acts as a perfect decoration for your tables and shelves but also helps purify the air of the room.
Because of its long vines, golden pothos is also perfect for you to plant in hanging baskets and hang around your balcony.
Golden pothos is toxic, and you should plant them away from the reach of your children and pets. You should also wear gloves when handling it because the sap could cause an allergic reaction.
How To Care For Golden Pothos
Golden pothos is easy to care for and maintain, which makes it a perfect plant for beginners. However, there are some basic requirements you have to meet to maintain not only its health but also the color of its leaves.
Light
Golden pothos does well in bright but indirect sunlight. While it could also grow in dim light, it loses the yellow variegation of its leaves and turns green because the leaves are trying to make up for the low light by producing more chlorophyll.
Golden pothos cannot tolerate full and direct sunlight or total darkness. Place your golden pothos near a window that receives sunlight for 3-5 hours daily, and rotate it often to ensure even growth. When there is no sunlight, you can use artificial light.
If you are planting it outdoors, provide it with shade in case of bright sunlight to keep it from getting sunburnt.
Water
Just like other pothos plants, Golden pothos does not need a lot of water unless in the dry seasons. When watering, ensure you water it until water runs out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, and wait for it to dry out before you water again.
In the summer, however, you should only wait until only the tip 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Do not overwater your plant as that will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant. When your plant is desperate for water, the leaves will start wilting and folding at the edges.
Soil
Golden pothos is less choosy when it comes to soil, provided the soil is well-drained. While growing it in a standard potting mix will suffice, orchid mix, or cacti mix, which are better draining, work better.
You do not have to worry about the soil conditions as the plant does well in both acidic and alkaline conditions.
Fertilizer
Golden pothos is a plant that can do well with minimum feeding. However, if you want to maintain the lush green and healthy look, use a 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer. Fertilize in the growing months but not in winter.
If your plant seizes producing new growth, limit the fertilizing frequency to once in 2-3 months. You should also follow the guidelines on the labels of the fertilizer for proper application.
Temperature
Golden pothos thrives best in moderate temperatures, between 65-85 degrees F. Very low temperatures cause the plant to defoliate, and very hot temperatures scorch the leaves.
Humidity
Golden pothos loves a humid environment, which is why they make perfect plants for your bathroom or kitchen. You can use a humidifier or plant spray to maintain the humidity around your plant.
Types Of Pothos
Repotting
Golden pothos has a very shallow root system, which makes it perfect for planting in a small pot. You do not have to worry about changing the size of the pot often unless you want to have more vigorous growth.
When repotting, add more soil to the new pot and ensure it has drainage holes at the bottom. Also, the pot should be breathable and not water retaining.
Pruning
If you are growing your golden pothos indoors, you must prune it often to control its growth. Pruning also helps maintain its shape and keeps it from becoming overly bushy.
You do not have to worry about over-pruning because the plant is fast-growing and will regrow in a very short time.
Types Of Geraniums
Propagating
Golden pothos is not only perfect for how easy it is to take care of and maintain but also because of its ease to propagate.
If you want a fuller golden pothos, consider potting around three cuttings in 1 pot.
Salvia Chamaedryoides
Golden Pothos Problems
Golden pothos is a hardy plant and resistant to a lot of problems that might affect other plants. However, some of the problems you might encounter with your plant include:
Pests
Some of the pests you will find on your devil’s ivy are mealy bugs and spider mites. To remove them dip a cotton ball in diluted alcohol and wipe down the affected part. Very concentrated rubbing alcohol will kill the plant. You can also use insecticidal soap.
Diseases
Devil's ivy does not suffer from a lot of diseases. The main ones are bacterial and fungal problems. The most common one is root rot that happens because of overwatering the plant. To avoid that, only water the plant when needed.
You might also notice leaf spots on the leaves of your plant, but those mainly occur due to underwatering.
FAQs
There are various reasons:
Some plants cannot stand tap water because of the minerals, which requires you to use distilled water. With golden pothos, however, you can use regular tap water. You only have to ensure that it is at room temperature to avoid drastic temperature changes for your plant.
There are different reasons why this is happening:
