Epipremnum aureum
Overview
Uses: Houseplant, patio plant, or outdoor plant (in approved tropical zones)
Benefits: Air purifier—removes formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide while also helping eliminate odors. Beautiful flowers and leaves. Climbs when trained and hangs from pots when allowed. Easy to take care of.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 - 12
Sun: Bright Indirect. Avoid strong, full sun.
Life Cycle: Perennial
Mature Height: 10" (unless trained to climb as easily trimmed stems may grow 40'+)
Mature Width: May spread up to 75'+ wide if allowed (easily kept short by trimming)
Summary
Golden Pothos is one the most popular houseplants on our site, and for good reason.
It's super easy to take care of, versatile, and has beautiful heart-shaped foliage with white, yellow, and green variegation.
Quite functional as a hanging plant or a climbing plant—it's also one of the few plants that we have that's actually recommended by NASA for it's air purification capabilities, as it's scientifically proven effective at reducing pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene.
Care
How to Water a Golden Pothos
We suggest watering an indoor Epipremnum aureum once every 5-10 days as required, making sure to allow the plant's soil to completely dry between watering cycles.
Avoid overwatering and do not allow this houseplant to rest in standing water (although it often thrives when grown in only water, as this method minimizes the risk of root rot associated with overwatered soil).
Like many other plants, too much watering will result in the yellowing of stems and leaves, eventually followed by root rot should the wet conditions persist.
Golden Pothos is considered to be drought resistant; however, too little water will result in the browning of branches and leaves, eventually followed by death if the dry conditions persist.
How Much Humidity Does Golden Pothos Like?
Epipremnum aureum is known to be a versatile and tolerant plant that is capable of thriving in a variety of environments.
Although it can be grown in drier areas, it does best in environments with humidity between 50% and 70% RH.
Golden Pothos does well with intermittent misting (2x a week), but misting too often may cause problems.
Humidifiers and pebble beds may be used to supplement humidity.
How Much Sun Should I Give My Golden Pothos?
Avoid placing Epipremnum aureum in areas that receive extended periods of direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to strong, direct light may cause leaf burn.
Golden Pothos often do best in areas where they receive the majority of their light from bright, indirect sun.
What is the Best Temperature for a Golden Pothos?
Epipremnum aureum prefers warmer temperatures and will likely die in extended periods of exposure to environments of 50°F or cooler.
It's best to keep this plant in temperatures above 55°F to ensure its beauty and the integrity of its growth; however the optimal temperature range of this houseplant is between 65°F and 85°F.
As such, Golden Pothos thrives outdoors year round in USDA zones 10-12, and will likely not survive living outdoors over winter in USDA zone 9 or colder.
What is the Best Soil for a Golden Pothos?
Epipremnum aureum thrives in a variety of soils, but does best in soils that are both nutrient rich, and moderately well draining.
It's important to not use soil that will allow water to hang around the roots of this plant for too long as it is very susceptible to root rot.
Our potting soil is a great option for your Golden Pothos.
How to Fertilize a Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum should be fertilized on a regular basis between early spring and late fall.
Winter fertilizations may be required on a less frequent basis if the plant is in an environment where the temperature and the amount of light that it's exposed to don't promote fast growth.
We suggest using our slow release fertilizer, a balanced liquid fertilizer, or a fish emulsion, being careful not to overfertilize.
Trimming and Maintenance of Golden Pothos Plant
Epipremnum aureum can be trimmed in various ways to encourage different growth patterns. Stems may be cut as close to 4" from the soil when trimming is required. When taking a cutting/trimming, it's suggested to make the cut just above a node.
A bushy plant can be grown by trimming or pinching new growth from the tips of the stems, which will signal the plant to sprout lower growth. Bushiness can also be encouraged by pruning stems 4" from the soil and allowing them to regrow.
A lengthier, less bushy plant can be obtained by pinching or trimming lower branches to encourage the extended growth of existing stems. This pruning should be done using a sharp and clean set of pruning shears to ensure a clean cut and to mitigate the spread of disease.
We suggest lightly fertilizing after any extensive pruning.
How to Repot a Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum does not like being rootbound so it's suggested that you repot your plant if its roots are crowding its pot.
You can repot your plant by placing the entire root ball into a larger pot then softly breaking up its root structure around the edges of its root ball prior to surrounding it with a lightly packed, medium porosity potting mix. It's advised to only slightly increase the pot size when repotting.
In situations of root bounding without the desire for a larger pot and/or plant, it's advised to remove Pothos from its pot and to trim away the side/lower roots and to replace their space with new potting soil.
How to Propagate a Golden Pothos
The propagation of Epipremnum aureum is easily accomplished by placing a cutting in a glass of water, possibly with a slight amount of liquid fertilizer and/or rooting hormone (although neither are necessary).
It's best to provide propagation cuttings with ample light, but to keep them out of strong, direct sun.
It's also advisable that the cutting be freshly snipped at a slight angle just below the lowest node, and stripped of all leaves other than a few at the top prior to its submersion in water.
Size
What Size are the Golden Pothos for Sale Online?
The Epipremnum aureum that we sell online will ship in a greenhouse grade grow pot or hanging basket. Each plant will be appropriately sized for its pot. Please contact us with any specific questions.
How Large Do Golden Pothos Plants Grow?
The size of Epipremnum aureum at maturity is very dependent on its situation.
Indoors, this plant can easily be kept to no more than a few feet in length with the use of a smaller pot and periodic trimmings.
If desired, the plant can easily grow to lengths of 40+ feet through the use of large pots or outdoor planting in appropriate climates. It can grow both horizontally or vertically (if provided a proper area in which to climb).
Additional Information
Common Names of Epipremnum aureum
-
Golden Pothos
-
Devil's Ivy
-
Devil's Vine
-
Ivy Arum
-
Marble Queen
-
Pothos
-
Taro Vine
-
Ceylon Creeper
-
Money Plant
A General Description of Epipremnum aureum
Golden Pothos is a perennial evergreen that's gained fame from its use as a houseplant. It's known to be extremely easy to care for and is highly desired for its beautiful glossy, thick, waxy, heart-shaped foliage with white, yellow, and green variegation.
It's often used in hanging baskets or placed near an area where its signature vines are able to either hang or climb (sometimes requiring a little help) by means of aerial roots. Left untrimmed, its vines have been known to grow as long as 40 feet.
Epipremnum aureum produces flowers when it is in its mature phase, which it typically only enters when grown outdoors and at lengths of greater than 30'. It will likely never flower indoors without the assistance of specific fertilization and light schedules.
Devil's Ivy is often confused with the common philodendron (Philodendron scandens). When comparing the two, you'll notice that Philodendron scandens does not have grooved petioles (the stalk that joins a leaf to a stem) and Epipremnum aureum does. You'll also notice that Philodendron scandens has free stipules on new growth and Epipremnum aureum does not.
Golden Pothos, like all pothos, are not only great houseplants for their beauty... they're also able to effectively purify the air by removing harmful contaminants like formaldehyde, benzene and toluene. In fact, NASA listed the Golden Pothos as one of the best household plants for this task.
In addition to its wonderful air purification abilities, the Epipremnum aureum is also a great indoor plant because it's so easy to maintain. It doesn't need frequent watering (maybe only water it once every 7-10 days) and does quite well in low light conditions.
The History of Golden Pothos Plant
Epipremnum aureum is a species in the arum family Araceae, native to Mo'orea—a part of French Polynesia's Society Islands archipelago. Its popularity as a houseplant is responsible for its modern worldwide level of fame and adoration. The Golden Pothos has also found itself quite at home throughout numerous tropical and sub-tropical global regions—proven by its thriving (and often invasive) current status within the forests of northern South Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Pacific Islands and the West Indies
Golden Pothos has had classification modifications since it was first cataloged in 1880 as Pothos aureus, the name responsible for it being commonly referred to as "pothos". It was reclassified as Raphidophora aurea in 1962 after the observation of one of its very rare flowers, but was reclassified as Epipremnum pinnatum shortly later after a change of opinion, only to be reclassified yet again as the currently held Epipremnum aureum after the observation of growth patterns and variations of foliage unique to the species.
Toxicity and Risks of Golden Pothos Plant
Epipremnum aureum is known for its toxicity to both people and to pets.
Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, kidney failure, and/or death can occur after the ingestion of this plant—which contains needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate called raphides (known to cause kidney stones in humans).
Allergic dermatitis (skin inflammation) and swelling of the skin can occur after repeated skin exposure to this sap.
