Golden pothos care
Epipremnum aureum
Also called Devil's ivy and Money plant. Family Araceae.
In short
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also called devil's ivy, is a fast trailing vine that grows in anything from low light to bright indirect light. Water every 7 to 14 days once the top half of the soil is dry; in a dim corner or a cool winter room it may only want water monthly. It is happy at 15 to 29°C (59 to 84°F) with no special humidity. It is toxic to cats and dogs.
Updated
Golden pothos at a glance
- Light
- Low to bright
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 daysLess often in winter
- Temperature
- 15 to 29°C59 to 84°F
- Humidity
- No special requirement
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs
How often should you water a golden pothos?
Usually every 7 to 14 days, once the top half of the soil is dry, and perhaps only monthly in a dim corner or a cool winter room.
Bright indirect light in a warm room, ordinary pot: usually every 7 to 14 days. Let the top half of the soil dry out first; pothos would far rather be too dry than too wet. In a dim corner or a cool winter room it may only want water monthly. Limp, mushy stems mean overwatering; a general droop that recovers within hours of watering means it was simply thirsty.
How much light does a golden pothos need?
Anything from low light to bright indirect, though variegation fades to green in dim corners and scorches in direct sun.
Anything from low light to bright indirect. Variegation fades to plain green in dim corners and scorches in direct sun.
How to feed a golden pothos
Half-strength balanced feed every 6 to 8 weeks in spring and summer, erring on the side of less.
Half-strength balanced feed every 6 to 8 weeks in spring and summer. It grows perfectly well with very little, so err on the side of less.
When to repot a golden pothos
Every 2 to 3 years; it tolerates being pot-bound, so there is no rush.
Every 2 to 3 years. It tolerates being pot-bound better than most, so there is no rush.
How to prune a golden pothos
Trim at any time to control length or make it bushier; the cuttings root in water.
Trim any time to control length or encourage bushiness. Cuttings root in water in a week or two, which is why everyone seems to own one.
What temperature and humidity does a golden pothos like?
15 to 29°C (59 to 84°F), and it is very forgiving.
15 to 29°C (59 to 84°F). Very forgiving. Humidity: No special requirement.
Is a golden pothos toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, it is toxic to cats and dogs: chewing it causes mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals: mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed.
How big does a golden pothos get?
Trailing stems reach a couple of metres, and the leaves grow noticeably larger when it climbs.
A fast trailing vine. Happily hangs from a shelf or climbs a pole, and the leaves get noticeably larger when it has something to climb. Trailing stems reach a couple of metres and can be cut back hard without harm.
Where does the golden pothos come from?
Mo'orea in French Polynesia, though it is now naturalised across the tropics.
Tropical forest, where it climbs trunks and spills along the ground in deep shade. Its tolerance of low light and irregular water is why it has escaped cultivation almost everywhere warm.
What's wrong with my golden pothos?
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Limp, mushy stems | Overwatering | Let the top half of the soil dry before watering again, and cut away any mushy stems. |
| A general droop that lifts within hours of watering | It was simply thirsty | Nothing more is needed; check the soil a little sooner next time. |
| Variegated leaves turning plain green | Too little light | Move it to bright indirect light, out of direct sun. |
| Scorched patches on the leaves | Direct sun | Move it out of direct sun into bright indirect light. |
Questions about the golden pothos
How do I propagate pothos?
Cut a length of stem and stand it in water. It roots in a week or two and can then be potted up.
How do I make my pothos fuller?
Trim long stems to encourage bushiness; it takes hard cutting back without harm. Rooted cuttings can go back into the same pot.
Why is my pothos losing its variegation?
Too little light. Variegation fades to plain green in dim corners; move it to bright indirect light, out of direct sun.
Why are my pothos leaves so small?
The leaves get noticeably larger when it has something to climb. Trailing from a shelf, it keeps smaller leaves.
Is pothos the same as a money plant?
Money plant is one of its common names, along with devil's ivy. The name is also used for other plants, such as the Chinese money plant.
Christi Miltz, CC0
Jacqui Geux, CC BY 4.0
Флорист, CC BY 4.0