Plant Spotlight: Pothos

Pothos, with its stunning cascading vines and effortless maintenance, has become a popular choice for houseplant enthusiasts. As a member of the Araceae family, there are several types of pothos, including Epipremnum aureum, Epipremnum pinnatum, and Scindapsus pictus. These plants are indigenous to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and are distinguished by their trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. This blog post will provide you with all the necessary details to cultivate and appreciate your Pothos plant.

Water

Pothos plants prefer soil that is consistently moist but not saturated. A good rule of thumb is to water your Pothos thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This ensures that the roots receive adequate hydration without risking waterlogging.

When it's time to water, give your Pothos a generous watering session, allowing water to penetrate the soil deeply. This helps to ensure that the entire root system receives moisture. However, pothos plants dislike sitting in standing water, as it can lead to root rot and other issues. To avoid this, make sure to allow excess water to drain away freely. 

Light

Pothos plants do well in a variety of lighting conditions, but they prefer bright, indirect light. They can also tolerate low light, but their growth will be slower. Direct sunlight can burn their leaves, so be sure to keep your Pothos out of direct sunlight.

Fertilizer

Pothos plants do not require a lot of fertilizer, but they do benefit from a regular feeding during the growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month to keep your Pothos healthy and happy.

Humidity & Temperature

Pothos plants do well in average household humidity and temperatures. They can tolerate slightly lower temperatures, but they do not like to be exposed to temperatures below 50°F (10°C). Avoid placing your Pothos near drafty windows or doors.

Repotting

Pothos plants do not need to be repotted often, but they can benefit from a larger pot as they grow. Repot your Pothos when you see roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, or when the plant becomes too top-heavy.

Propagating

Pothos plants are easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Simply cut a stem with a few leaves and place it in water or soil. In a few weeks, roots will start to form, and you will have a new Pothos plant.

Pests

Pothos plants are generally resistant to pests, but they can occasionally be affected by mealybugs, spider mites, or scale insects. If you notice any pests on your plant, use an insecticidal soap to treat the problem.

Varieties

There are many different varieties of pothos, including:

-        Argyraeus Pothos: Scindapsus pictus - This pothos variety has large, heart shaped dark green leaves with sparse silver markings, giving it a unique look. This compact variety has soft leaves and can be trained to climb along the edges of shelves.

-        Albo-Variegata: Epipremnum Pinnatum – This variety has green leaves with white variegation, creating a striking contrast. The variegation is caused by a chimeric gene (some tissue can produce chlorophyll and others cannot, most common type of variegation).

-        Baltic Blue Pothos: Epipremnum Pinnatum – This pothos variety has elongated leaves that resemble a dragon’s tail and have a dark green color. is a unique Pothos variety with heart-shaped leaves that showcase a beautiful blue-green coloration. The leaves have a glossy texture and an iridescent quality, resembling the shimmering depths of the Baltic Sea.

-        Cebu Blue Pothos: Epipremnum Pinnatum – Cebu Blue Pothos has elongated leaves that are a stunning blue-green color and have a velvety texture. One of the standout features of Baltic Blue Pothos is its silver variegation. The leaves are adorned with silver patches or streaks that create a striking contrast against the blue-green backdrop. This silver variegation gives the plant a lustrous, almost metallic appearance, adding an element of visual interest and elegance. It is a slow-growing trailing plant and is often used in hanging baskets.

-        Dragon Tail Pothos: Epipremnum Pinnatum – This variety features elongated leaves that resemble the shape of a dragon's tail, hence the name. The leaves have distinctive ruffled edges, creating a unique and textured appearance. The color of the leaves can vary from green to a deeper shade of green, depending on the specific plant and growing conditions. The foliage of Dragon Tail Pothos tends to have a glossier texture compared to other Pothos varieties

-        Emerald Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – This variety has a dark green center with lighter bright green outside, heart-shaped leaves that are glossy and lush. This is a variant of the N’Joy pothos, and looks very similar to the Global Green Pothos, the difference being the Emerald Pothos’ variegation typicaly melt together, rather than presenting sharp transitions.

-        Glacier Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – The Glacier Pothos has white and green variegated heart-shaped leaves that are small and dainty. The variegation patterns can vary from plant to plant, but typically the leaves have marbled or speckled patterns of green and white. The foliage has a glossy texture. It is a slow-growing plant that is perfect for hanging baskets.

-        Global Green Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – A visually stunning plant with lush, vibrant green foliage. Its heart-shaped leaves are smooth and glossy, reflecting light to create a lustrous appearance. The plant showcases a uniform green color without any variegation, giving it a consistently fresh and vibrant look. With its trailing growth habit, the vines gracefully cascade down, adding a dynamic element to its visual appeal. 

-        Golden Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum –This is the most common variety of pothos, that boasts heart-shaped leaves that exhibit a stunning blend of green and yellow hues. The vibrant golden-yellow variegation spreads across the glossy, deep green foliage, creating a striking contrast and adding a touch of warmth and radiance to any space. The leaves feature a smooth texture and a trailing growth habit, cascading gracefully down from containers or climbing up supports.

-        Jade Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum –This variety is visually captivating with its glossy, heart-shaped leaves that exhibit a stunning combination of deep green and vibrant jade hues. The foliage showcases a beautiful contrast between the rich green color and the lighter, almost translucent jade tones, adding a touch of elegance and natural beauty to any space.

-        Jessenia Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – The foliage features a combination of vibrant green and creamy yellow colors, creating an eye-catching contrast. The variegation patterns vary from plant to plant, with some displaying marbled patterns and others showcasing distinct patches of yellow.

-        Manjula Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – With its stunning variegated leaves, Manjula Pothos showcases a mesmerizing blend of green, creamy white, and silver hues. The marbled patterns on the foliage create an exquisite and elegant appearance. Each leaf carries a distinct and intricate variegation, making every Manjula Pothos plant a work of art. Its trailing vines gracefully cascade down containers or climb up supports, adding a touch of enchantment to any space.

-        Marble Queen Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum –The leaves of Marble Queen Pothos feature a marbled pattern of green and creamy white, creating a captivating contrast. The creamy white patches are irregularly spread across the leaves, giving them a marble-like appearance, hence the name. It is very similar to the snow queen pothos, has typically less white, with half and half green/white coloring.

-        N'Joy Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – The leaves of N'Joy Pothos display a striking variegation pattern, featuring a combination of lush green and creamy white colors. The variegation creates a beautiful contrast and adds a touch of elegance to the plant. With its small heart-shaped leaves and vibrant variegation, N'Joy Pothos effortlessly adds a pop of visual interest and charm to any indoor space. This cultivar is favored by plant enthusiasts for its distinctive appearance and its ability to thrive in various light conditions.

-        Neon Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – The leaves of the Neon Pothos showcase a vibrant lime-green color that instantly grabs attention. The intensity of the neon green hue adds a pop of brightness and liveliness to any space. This variety of Pothos retains the classic heart-shaped leaf structure and features a trailing growth habit, allowing the vines to elegantly cascade down from containers or climb up trellises.

-        Pearls and Jade Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum –This variety showcases heart-shaped leaves that are predominantly green with splashes of creamy white and silvery-gray variegation. The variegation patterns resemble pearls scattered across the surface of the leaves, giving the plant its name.

-        Silver Satin (Exotica) Pothos: Scindapsus pictus -  The leaves of Exotica Pothos display striking variegation patterns that set them apart from other Pothos varieties. The foliage showcases a combination of green, yellow, and white colored heart-shaped leaves, creating a beautiful and intricate mosaic-like appearance. One of the notable features of Exotica Pothos is its mottled and marbled patterns on the leaves. The variegation is not uniform, with patches and streaks of different colors dispersed throughout the foliage. The leaves are thick and broad (almost as stiff as cardboard) and can be the size of your hand.

-        Silvery Ann Pothos: Scindapsus Pictus – Similar to the Argyraeus variety, Scindapsus 'Silvery Ann' exhibits foliage with a softer texture. The characteristic Scindapsus hook is present at the bottom tip of its leaves, maintaining the usual asymmetrical shape. It has prominent silver variegation, some leaves look like they were dipped in silver paint, with a significant portion covered in shiny silver. The remaining portion of the leaves is speckled with silver, creating a captivating contrast. In certain instances, individual leaves may even appear completely silver, adding an extra touch of allure to this remarkable plant.

-        Silver Splash: Scindapsus Pictus – Closely resembling the Exotica, the Silver Splash variety showcases a distinctive variegation pattern that is dappled instead of streaked, and the silver tones are more subdued. However, the leaves retain the same impressive size, thickness, and visual impact as those of the Exotica. What sets the Silver Splash apart is its captivating silvery-blue appearance.

-        Shangri La Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – It features interesting, shriveled-looking leaves with a beautiful blend of green and creamy yellow variegation. The unique leaves look wrinkled and rolled up (sometimes it’s also called the spinach pothos) The variegation forms marbled patterns, creating an eye-catching contrast.

-        Snow Queen Pothos: Epipremnum Aureum – This variety has predominantly white leaves with sparse green variegation. It is very similar to the marble queen pothos, but has a higher percentage of white variegation (80% white, 20% green). The leaves are more slender than a typical pothos varieties and have a pointed tip.

Fun Facts

- Pothos plants are often referred to as "devil's ivy" due to their ability to grow in almost any condition.

- Pothos plants are a popular choice for offices and public spaces, as they are known for their air-purifying abilities.

- In Feng Shui, Pothos plants are believed to bring good luck and positive energy into a space.

- Pothos plants, including varieties like Golden Pothos and Marble Queen Pothos, are known for their air-purifying qualities. They can help remove toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air, making them a natural and beautiful addition to your indoor environment.

- Pothos plants are highly adaptable when it comes to lighting conditions. While they thrive in bright, indirect light, they can also tolerate lower light levels. This versatility makes them suitable for various areas in your home or office, even those with less natural light.

- Pothos plants are forgiving when it comes to watering. They can tolerate occasional neglect and are more prone to issues caused by overwatering rather than underwatering. It's generally recommended to allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering.

- Pothos plants are incredibly easy to propagate, making them perfect for sharing with friends or expanding your plant collection. You can propagate them by taking stem cuttings and placing them in water or directly in soil. The cuttings develop roots relatively quickly, allowing you to create new plants with ease.

- Pothos plants have a trailing growth habit, producing long vines that gracefully drape down from containers or can be trained to climb up supports. This trailing nature makes them ideal for hanging baskets or displaying on high shelves, adding a touch of natural beauty and greenery to any space.

- Pothos are toxic to animals and people if ingested.