Konnichi wa / Great Outdoors

Introduction

Pothos are one of the easiest plants to grow in your home. This article will take you through everything you need to know about growing Pothos, from the types of Pothos available and their characteristics, to how they should be cultivated. We'll also cover a few tips for success with this easy-to-grow plant!

Watch this video on how to grow pothos!

What is a pothos?

Pothos (scientific name Epipremnum aureum or epipremnum pinnatum, but a more common term is Scindapsus; it may also go by the Solomon Islands ivy, taro vine, ivy arum, money plant, or silver vine) is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors. They are very tolerant of lower light conditions and can easily be grown in hanging baskets for those with limited space who want greenery. They are also one of the few plants that is safe near cats, so if you have a feline friend with an affinity for eating greenery, they’re perfect.

Pothos has different names depending on who you talk to but pothos or scindapsus describe all members of this species and variety while Epipremnum aureum or epipremnum pinnatum describes only some varieties. Because it's such an easy plant to grow in any condition most people will simply refer to them as Pothos since there isn't enough reason not too.

The leaves can be described either by their shape (ivy-like) or their coloration (yellowish). The two main varieties golden and silver edged because of the yellow or white striping on each leaf.

Pothos is a vine, but can also be grown as an upright plant with some support; they like to climb so if you have something for them to attach themselves too it will encourage healthy growth. They are not only easy to grow in low-light conditions but can actually handle extremely dark environments which makes pothos perfect for growing under aquariums where other plants would struggle.

Pothos is a good indoor plant and outdoor plant, though outdoor varieties may need more frequent watering than indoor ones during hot summer months when humidity drops. There’s no reason you couldn't keep one outside year round since there isn't anything that could hurt your potted garden at worst it might struggle a little, but that’s just part of gardening.

They are also easy to propagate since the stems can root in water and they make great gifts for anyone who’s trying to grow plants indoors or has limited space (because there is no way you can kill them).

Even if you’re not into gardening, this is a good plant to have around the house because it can easily be integrated into any interior design and can help filter indoor pollutants from the air. Pothos are also very easy to take care of in general and require little attention; they'll do well on their own with minimal interaction from you.

They prefer high humidity as it is native to Southeast Asia and French Polynesia in the Pacific Islands, but will adapt to low humidity conditions as long as there's adequate ventilation so make sure your home isn't too dry during winter months or in air conditioned environments (which can suck all the moisture out of an indoor space). A humidifier might help just don't add chemicals since pothos should never come into contact with anything that could cause them harm even though they're pretty much harmless themselves.

Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to keep around because they are so easy to grow. It can be as simple or complicated as you want but either way it will come out looking great and being healthy for its entire life cycle which makes pothos an excellent addition to any indoor garden.

Different types of pothos

Pothos are the perfect plant to grow indoors. They do not require a lot of care and lighting, making them ideal for beginners. However, there are different types that you might want to consider before growing your own pothos at home:

Marble Queen

The Marble Queen is known for its marble-like leaves which vary in color from green with pale yellowish spots all over it or vice versa; hence why they look like marbles. This type can survive in low light conditions since this variety prefers shady areas but will still produce white flowers even if the area has bright indirect sunlight exposure.

Hahnii

Also called Hawaiian Pothos or devil's vine , it features heart shaped leaves with green and cream marbling. It's also known for its ease of care, making this type ideal if you're looking for a pothos that does not require too much attention from your end.

Golden Pothos

The Golden variety is one of the most popular types which comes with yellow leaves but it can also be bought in other colors such as red and silver-green or dark purple leaves. If you want to add color to your plants' foliage then pick a golden pothos since they come with different hues!

Neon Pothos

This type is similar to the Golden pothos but with brighter leaves that are even more eye-catching. It's not only easy to care for, it also has a low light requirement so you can place your plant anywhere regardless of whether there's direct sunlight or not!

Manjula Pothos

The Manjula variety features green and cream marbled leaves as well just like Marble Queen plants. You will be able to spot white flowers emerging from its stems since this type comes with white leaf margins when it grows older which ultimately darkens into an all-green foliage later on.

Cebu Blue Pothos

If you're looking for a plant that won't require much care from your end and will still look beautiful in the long run, then pick Cebu blue pothos as they can survive even when there's little light available.

Jessenia Pothos

The Jessenia variety is also known to be low maintenance just like most other types of pothos. However, it has grayish green leaves with cream-colored marbling which makes this type ideal if you want something that looks different than its counterparts. You'll get white flowers once it matures!

Hawaiian Pothos

Also called devil's ivy or variegated philodendron , Hawaiian pothos features green leaves that are variegated with cream color. It can grow up to four feet high and has heart-shaped leaves which you can use as a perfect display in your living room's corner.

Trebi Pothos

Another low light requirement variety, the Trebi type can be identified by its jade green foliage and white marbling. Even though this plant does not need too much care from your end, it is still advisable to keep an eye on the water level just so none of your plants will die because of overwatering!

Glacier Pothos

The Glacier pothos' name comes from the look of their solid blueish gray colored leaves once they get older. This type is ideal if you want to create an exotic display in your home's corner since this plant has a high light requirement and it can survive even when there's little sunlight available!

N-Joy Pothos

Looking for an easy care pothos? Then pick N-joy because it requires low maintenance, making them perfect if you're just starting out with growing plants indoors. They come with dark green leaves which feature creamy white marbling so they also make great houseplants that will brighten up your room.

Satin or Silver Pothos

Satin pothos are another variety that feature silver marbling on their leaves but the best thing about these plants is that they grow into a small, compact plant so if you don't want to place too many houseplants inside your living room then pick this type!

Pearls and Jade Pothos

Also known as Variegated philodendron or Hawaiian pothos, Pearls and Jade plants are popular varieties because they come with green leaves that feature cream colored marbling. They also produce white flowers once it matures so you can expect this type to look like a real gem in any corner of your home!

How to care for a pothos

Light

Pothos plants need bright light, but not direct sunlight. Place them near a window that gets indirect light or in areas with fluorescent lights on the ceiling. If you keep your pothos plant indoors and it begins to lose its leaves, move it closer to a window.

Soil

If you want to grow pothos in pot, choose a rich and well-draining soil. You can use regular potting mix from the store or make your own by mixing one part organic compost with two parts perlite. Potting mixes formulated for African violets work great too since they're also composed of peat moss and vermiculite but contain less limestone than most other brands. If you’re using an acidic fertilizer, be sure that it is low on nitrogen so as not to encourage leaf growth at the expense of flowers (e.g., Neptune's Harvest).

Temperature & Humidity

The best temperature for growing Pothos is approximately 65°F at night 50°F (degrees Fahrenheit) during the day (15-21 °C). Keep the humidity level between 40% - 80%.

Watering

Pothos plants need moderate watering, but they are sensitive to overwatering as this will cause root rot. The soil should not be kept constantly wet and the plant's leaves shouldn't sit in water either. Water it thoroughly until water flows through the drainage holes at least once a week during its growing season (spring-summer). Let dry before watering again or keep slightly moist when you don’t see signs of growth such as new shoots or buds opening.

Water pothos houseplants less often during wintertime since they go semi-dormant this time of year and require less care than usual. You can wait weeks between consecutive waterings if necessary so long as the top inch of potting mix is still barely damp when you water it again.

Potting

Pothos houseplants tend to grow best when slightly pot-bound, so don't overpot them by repotting into a larger container unless the roots are growing out of the bottom holes and/or through the drainage mesh in its current pot. If you do need to transplant your pothos plant make sure that after removing it from its old home that you cut off any dead or damaged root tips before planting it back up again. The deeper soil layer also helps retain moisture around their roots for longer periods of time which means less watering is needed throughout each week as well. Pinching off faded flower stalks can improve this vine's appearance since blooming may be sparse if conditions aren't favorable.

Flowers vs. Leaves

Pinching off blooms can also help encourage the plant to produce more leaves since flowering requires a lot of energy which reduces how much photosynthetic activity is taking place in its leafy green tissue. Pothos plants may not grow as tall when they flower, although this change isn't always noticeable but it can take years for them to get back to their original height after blooming so if you're growing pothos indoors then keep these tips and tricks in mind!

Fertilizer

They also require frequent fertilizing, especially when they are in bloom or growing vigorously. The best time to fertilize is during the springtime, but it can be done every two weeks throughout the summer as needed if you’re watering your pothos daily. If you want to get really technical with it, use an organic fertilizer that provides for all types of plants (such as fish emulsion). Pots should be thoroughly watered before applying any fertilizer so that nitrogen doesn't burn leaves! Avoid using high phosphorus on leafy foliage because this will result in dark green leaves instead of light ones like desired.

Toxicity

Pothos plants are considered mildly toxic due to the calcium oxalate within the plant and should be kept away from pets and children. If the plant is ingested, it could cause vomiting or a burning sensation in the mouth or throat. In severe cases, it can cause diarrhea, breathing difficulty and even coma. Pothos also has been known to have caused dermatitis on some people who come into contact with the sap-like residue of the leaves when they're burned. It's not fatal but you'll certainly wish you'd never brushed up against your houseplant!

Propagation

Pothos is a long vine that loves to climb. It can be propagated by cutting and rooting in water, soil, or even directly in the ground if conditions are right. Rooting pothos from stem cuttings allows you to create new plants faster than growing them from seed. This method of propagation also ensures your plant will have exactly what it needs for strong growth when transplanted into a hanging basket, potting mix, or other garden container location . When taking cuttings make sure they're at least four inches long so there's enough stem material for roots to form well below the soil surface after planting.

Yellow Leaves

A common problem with pothos is yellowing leaves. This can affect both indoor and outdoor varieties of the plant. The most likely cause of this symptom is too much sun or not enough water, though a genetic predisposition to low chlorophyll levels may also be to blame. You should first consider moving your plant out of direct sunlight if it has been getting lots of bright light for an extended period of time. Additionally, make sure that you are watering it often enough (but never overwatering). If neither changing its location nor increasing/decreasing how frequently you water it does the trick, then there might actually be some sort of nutritional deficiency at play instead - in which case you’ll want to try fertilizing your plant.

Droopy Leaves

If your pothos starts to look a bit droopy and wilted, you can give it a quick boost by watering the plant thoroughly. If that doesn't get your plant back on track, take cuttings from the tips of healthy stems and root them in water or soil.

Final thoughts on pothos

Hope you enjoyed this article on pothos!

Looking for more on Pothos and other similar content? Try these:

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Konnichi wa / Great Outdoors

August 28, 2021 — Konnichi wa