If you’re thinking of adopting an indoor plant that requires little care, the Glacier pothos may be an excellent choice to consider.
What is Glacier pothos?
Glacier pothos is a cultivar of the climbing, perennial pothos species in the Araceae family, which goes by several other names, including Devil’s Ivy. Out of the 15+ scientifically identified pothos varieties, Glacier pothos has the smallest leaves and the slowest growth rate.
Appearance and characteristics
What stands out the most about Glacier pothos is their evergreen appearance. It is defined by the small green and white variegated leaves with silver-gray streaks. The plant is easy to take care of and adapts to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions.
Quick Summary
- Botanical Plant Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Glacier’
- Native to: Moorea, Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific.
- Care: Easy to grow and maintain.
- Size: As a house plant, it grows 6-8 feet tall, with a plant spread of 3-4 feet. It grows taller in its native habitat, reaching 40 feet or more in length.
- Common problems: Mealybugs, mites, scales, and thrips. Fungal leaf spot and gray mold.
- Toxicity: Mildy toxic if ingested by pets and humans.
Plant recommendation tip: does your home need to be brighten, then check out the ornamental Hydrangea Serrata.
How to care for Glacier pothos
Sunlight
Glacier pothos thrives in areas where it’s indirectly exposed to light. Moderate sunlight is the most optimal.
Direct exposure to sunlight over long periods can burn the leaves, so when outdoors provide sheltered exposure to sunlight.
Lack of sunlight will cause the white color on the leaves to fade away and eventually acquire a monochrome green color. Inadequate sun exposure also slows down the plant’s growth.
Watering
Glacier pothos requires a moderate water supply. It may do well when the water is a little excessive, but, as long as the soil is well-drained.
Its best practice to wait until the top 2-3 cm of soil is completely dry before watering, which should be every 7-14 days on average.
Humidity & Temperature
Glacier pothos does well in both low and high humidity environments and adapt to prevailing humidity levels as the seasons change throughout the year.
If keeping Glacier pothos indoors, average household humidity is sufficient. However, if the temperature inside the house is above 65° Fahrenheit, particularly during the winter, provide supplemental humidity to encourage transpiration.
You can use a humidifier for plants or place a pebble tray near the plant. Otherwise, the plant may begin to die, in which case the tips of the leaves will start to curl or change color due to low moisture and humidity.
Counter this by misting the plant every day. Discontinue the practice once you adjust the room temperature to a lower degree or when the climatic conditions change and humidity rises.
Temperatures between 18° Celsius and 26° Celcius (65° Fahrenheit and 80° Fahrenheit) are optimal, although the plant does survive in lower or higher temperatures.
Cleaning
If water splashes on the leaves while you’re watering the plant, wipe it off gently using a soft cloth. Leaving water on the leaves could attract or encourage the growth of harmful, water-loving microorganisms.
Use a clean, damp microfiber cloth to clean the dust off the leaves of your Glacier pothos.
When dust accumulates on the plant leaves, it keeps the light from penetrating the leaf, thus impeding photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis, the plant cannot produce the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Fertilizing & Soil
Because Glacier pothos is not a heavy feeder, it can do just fine without fertilizing. There is no harm in fertilizing the plant, however, and doing so will accelerate growth.
Add fertilizer during the growing phase—from springtime to fall—so the plant can fully utilize the extra nutrients.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer—10:10:10 should be enough but you can choose 20:20:20 if you want higher nutrient quantities.
Glacier pothos adapts well to both fertile and not-so-fertile soils as long as the soil is well-drained. If the soil stays water-logged for long, the Glacier’s root will start to rot and, unless checked, the plant could eventually die.
Repotting
Glacier pothos should be repotted annually in the spring to coincide with the start of the growing phase. Choose a planter that is two sizes bigger than the one in which the plant is currently grown and use a fresh potting mixture.
Plant recommendation tip: looking for a popular plant, then check out the Fiddle-leaf fig from Africa.
How and when to prune
Pruning is done in the spring.
Use quality pruning shears to cut back the plant, focusing on the larger stems and areas with space underneath.
Cut back the stem to a point slightly below a node and healthy leaf.
You can grow the cut bits into new plants if you like.
Problems with Glacier pothos
Glacier pothos is prone to mealybug, scale, mite, and thrip attacks. To help with the infestations, dab the leaves with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab.
Glacier pothos is also prone to fungal leaf spot and gray mold. To help with this, prune infected areas and dispose of affected parts properly to prevent spreading (especially of gray mold). For control, use fungicides where necessary.
How to propagate
1. Position the knife or shears below a node and cut your chosen tip, ensuring that it is 3-4 inches long.
2. Add your propagation medium to a suitably sized pot and plant 3-4 cuttings in it.
3. Wrap in a plastic bag.
4. Place in an area with indirect exposure to bright sunlight until rooting takes place, usually 4-6 weeks.
5. Remove the wrapping and water the cuttings just enough.
6. Once propagation begins transfer each plant into a container of potting mix.
7. Nurture the plant as a mature Glacier pothos.
Common FAQs
How much light does a Glacier pothos need?
Glacier pothos flourishes in medium to bright, filtered light.
What is so special about Glacier pothos?
Glacier pothos has a striking variegated pattern with silver and gray freckles that makes for an eye-catching decorative plant. It’s also a low-maintenance, easy-to-care plant.
Are Glacier pothos good indoor plants?
Glacier pothos are excellent indoor plants. They respond well to different soil, temperature, and humidity conditions. Therefore, they thrive indoors where all three conditions are controlled differently. Plus, they grow to just the perfect size for indoor plants.
Can a Glacier pothos grow in low light?
Glacier pothos will grow in low light areas, but it will not be as robust as it would be in an area that receives more light.
Plant inspiration tip: looking for something special, then check out the popular Neon pothos from French Polynesia.
Summary
Glacier pothos is an easy to grow, easy to maintain, evergreen plant that thrives in diverse climatic and soil conditions.
The plant can be prone to a few diseases and insect attacks. But with proper care and attention, these are easy to prevent and control.