Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Botanical Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Monocots
- Order: Alismatales
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Epipremnum
- Species: Epipremnum aureum
Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as Golden Pothos or Devil’s Ivy, belongs to the Araceae family, which includes many popular houseplants like Philodendrons and Monsteras. It’s a versatile vine known for its climbing or trailing growth habit. Native to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, Epipremnum aureum was introduced to the rest of the world through trade and exploration. Its exact path into cultivation is somewhat obscured, but it’s been a popular houseplant since at least the 19th century.
The name “Golden Pothos” reflects its most common variegation pattern of yellow and green, while “Devil’s Ivy” refers to its hardiness and difficulty to eradicate once established. It’s also known as money plant in some cultures, believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Due to its ease of growth and air-purifying abilities, Golden Pothos has become a staple in indoor gardening across the globe. It’s often one of the first plants recommended for beginners due to its resilience.
Through human activity, it has become one of the most widespread houseplants, also occasionally escaping cultivation to become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas outside its native range.
Golden Pothos is not suited to outdoor cultivation in most USDA Hardiness Zones due to its tropical origins. It thrives in Zones 10-11 where temperatures remain above freezing year-round. However, it’s primarily grown as an indoor plant in all zones because of its sensitivity to cold. In zones colder than 10, Golden Pothos is cultivated indoors, where it can survive in conditions ranging from low light to bright, indirect light, making it adaptable to various indoor environments.
In its native habitat, Golden Pothos grows in the understory of tropical rainforests, climbing trees or over rocks, where it benefits from high humidity, warmth, and indirect light. Globally, Golden Pothos has a vast cultivated range, found in homes, offices, and public spaces in virtually any country where indoor plants are popular. Its ability to grow in diverse indoor conditions has made it one of the most ubiquitous houseplants.
Outside its native range, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates, Golden Pothos can become an invasive species if it escapes cultivation. It has been noted as problematic in places like Florida, where it can outcompete native flora in natural habitats. Its adaptability to various light conditions, from bright indirect light to low light, and its tolerance for occasional neglect in watering, make it suitable for a wide array of indoor settings, from well-lit greenhouses to less ideal conditions in urban apartments.
Characteristics
- Foliage: Known for its heart-shaped leaves, Golden Pothos displays a variegation of bright yellow and green, which can vary in intensity depending on light exposure. In lower light, the leaves might exhibit more green, while brighter light can enhance the yellow variegation.
- Growth Habit: It’s a vigorous climber or trailer, capable of growing several feet long. In nature or with support, it climbs using aerial roots, but indoors, it often trails from hanging baskets or shelves.
- Size: Can grow to lengths of several meters with leaves up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide, although size can be managed through pruning.
- Flowers: Rarely flowers indoors, but when it does, it produces a spadix and spathe typical of the Araceae family. Flowering is much more common in its natural habitat.
Cultivation
- Light: Golden Pothos is highly adaptable to light conditions but thrives best in bright, indirect light for optimal variegation. It can survive in low light but will grow slower and might lose some of its variegated color.
- Soil: Prefers well-draining potting mix. A mix of peat, perlite, and pine bark or a standard houseplant soil works well. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering is a common mistake; this plant prefers to dry out somewhat between waterings. It’s quite drought-tolerant but benefits from consistent moisture in a well-draining medium.
- Humidity: While it can adapt to average home humidity, it does best with higher humidity, reminiscent of its tropical origins. Misting or using a humidity tray can enhance growth, especially in dry environments.
- Temperature: Ideal temperatures range from 65-85°F (18-29°C). It’s sensitive to cold, with growth slowing below 50°F (10°C) and damage occurring at temperatures near freezing.
- Fertilization: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows.
- Pruning: Prune to control size, shape, or to encourage bushier growth. Cut back long stems or remove any yellow or damaged leaves. Pruning also provides material for propagation.
Propagation
- Stem Cuttings: The most common method due to its simplicity and high success rate.
- Cut a piece of stem with at least one node (where leaves attach) and one or two leaves.
- Place the cutting in water or directly in soil.
- If using water, roots will typically form within a few weeks, after which the cutting can be potted in soil.
- For soil propagation, ensure the node is covered by soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until roots develop.
- Layering: For natural propagation, you can lay a stem horizontally on moist soil, ensuring nodes touch the soil. These nodes will root, and once established, the new plant can be separated.
- Division: Less common but possible with mature plants that have developed multiple stems or if you’re repotting. Simply divide the root ball into sections, ensuring each has some roots and shoots, then pot up separately.
- Air Layering: An advanced technique where you encourage rooting on a stem while it’s still attached to the plant. Make a small cut on the stem, apply rooting hormone, wrap with moist sphagnum moss, and then cover with plastic to retain humidity. Once roots develop, cut below the new roots and pot up.