What is Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos, also called Epipremnum aureum, is an evergreen vine that originated in the jungles of Southeast Asia. It has been used by people for centuries worldwide to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
This plant provides many benefits and can be grown indoors or outdoors with minimal care requirements.
Epipremnum aureum derives from the Latin’ epi’ meaning upon and ‘premium meaning premiums which is an altered form of suspicion. The name Premnus means hill or mountain.
Pothos comes from a Greek word that means “a falling”. Thus, Golden pothos falls into the category of non-edible food plants from the Araceae, formerly known as Scitamineae.
Appearance and characteristics
The most prominent feature of this plant is its heart-shaped leaves and light to dark green. The leaves of the Golden pothos are relatively large, with the average being 8 inches long by 6 inches wide.
The veins in these leaves are yellow or white, depending on the variety of this plant.
Quick summary
Botanical Plant name: Epipremnum aureum
Native to: Southeast Asia
Care: Medium to high light, keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot, occasional pruning, and some fertilizer.
Size: The average size is 8 inches long by 6 inches
Common problems: root rot
Toxicity: Not intended for human or animal consumption but has no toxic properties.
Plant inspiration tip: does your home need a fresh plant, then check out the evergreen Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum).
How to care for Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
How much sunlight does Golden pothos need?
Golden pothos will tolerate partial sun but prefer medium indirect light, with the best bright, sunny locations. Too much sun can dry and cause them to yellow.
To avoid leaf burns from too much heat exposure, try moving it away from the window if the temperature outside is scorching.
How much water does Golden pothos need?
Golden pothos requires about 2 to 3 tablespoons of water a day from spring through fall and less in winter when growth slows. Please make sure the grower’s pot saucer has a little water in it, then pull the tip of the plant out of its pot and into your hand or a sink to drain before watering thoroughly.
Let your Golden pothos rest dry for a few days after repotting, then resume a regular watering schedule. If you’re growing Golden pothos as a houseplant, keep it on the moist side by not allowing the Soil to become completely dry between each watering. You can also mist your plant with room-temperature water occasionally.
How much humidity does Golden pothos need?
Golden pothos prefers 50 to 60 per cent relative humidity, although it will tolerate low humidity. To increase humidity, mist your plant thoroughly with room-temperature water on the leaves and crown of the plant, or orientate it on a pebble tray or in its pot sitting in 1 inch of tepid water at least once every two weeks.
You can also group several plants for increased humidity around them without increasing the frequency of watering.
How much temperature does Golden pothos need?
Golden pothos can be grown at 65 to 80 degrees F throughout the year. It will tolerate temperatures below 40 degrees F for short periods, but it’s best to keep Golden pothos between 65 and 75 degrees F.
How to clean the leaves of Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
During humid weather, dust and dirt can be washed from leaves with a damp cloth or sponge, but avoid direct contact with water as this could cause the plant’s leaves to drop.
If you come across any insects on your plant such as spider mites, mealybugs or scale, spot treats it with an insecticidal soap spray according to package directions.
Fertilizing & Soil of Golden pothos
Golden pothos doesn’t require fertilizer as much as many other houseplants. Feed it every three months in spring and summer and every six to nine months the rest of the year with an all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength.
You can also feed your Golden pothos a quarter-strength solution weekly during spring and summer. Just be careful not to over fertilize. This could lead to rapid new growth that may collapse under its weight because the roots cannot support new plant material, or it might cause root rot if there’s too much moisture in the Soilsoil.
Repotting of Golden pothos
Typically, Golden pothos doesn’t need to be repotted until it becomes rootbound. This means the roots have grown so prominent in the pot that they wrap around and cover most of the soil surface.
Golden pothos can also become top-heavy from new shoots growing too rapidly, so repotting every spring or summer helps keep it more stable while encouraging new growth at a manageable rate.
Plant recommendation tip: looking for an indoor tree, then check out the amazing Dragon tree from Canary Islands.
How and when to prune Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
What time of year?
The best time to prune Golden pothos is during the winter season; however, you can prune it in the summer or fall.
When to prune?
Pothos should be pruned when it has no leaves or after its leaves have wilted.
How to prune:
- Use a pair of household scissors, hand shears or a sharp knife to remove the vines.
- It is vital to cut just above a node or leaf joint that contains some leaves as you take care not to damage the stem.
- If the plant is severely damaged, cut it back to a node that has some leaves; however, if the plant has no leaves on some of the vine, cut it back to a vital node or leaf joint that is at least 8 inches (20.3 cm) from the soil level.
Problems with Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Since it is so readily available and is often used as a plant to decorate a room, indoor gardeners need to know the potential problems.
Pest Problems
Golden pothos is usually pest-free. When pests do affect the plant, it is often the result of overwatering or poor drainage, in which case mealy bugs and scale can become an issue.
Problems
Golden pothos is commonly used in home decor, often as climbing vines to be draped over the side of a planter or hanging basket. However, in some cases, they can be invasive in shade gardens.
The plant can absorb chemicals such as benzene, trichloroethylene or formaldehyde through its leaves. However, it was discovered that the plant increased these chemicals up to twenty times when in direct sunlight.
It has also been known to create problems with humans and pets within the home, such as skin irritation and nausea, which can result from ingestion or irritability of the skin.
How to propagate golden pothos(Epipremnum aureum)
Rooted stem cuttings can be used to propagate golden pothos. It is a method that does not require rooting hormones; instead, you can place the plant cuttings in water or moist soil.
Cutting the stems into sections that contain at least two nodes will increase the chances of rooting.
You can cut the stems into 5-inch sections, leaving about 2 inches of leaves at the top. Then allow the cut ends to dry for a day or two until a white, waxy powder forms on them.
Plant recommendation tip: interested in a strong green plant, then check out the Solid green spider plant from Africa.
Common FAQs
How much light does Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden pothos is a popular houseplant because it’s effortless to grow and has low maintenance. The only downside is that not all kinds of light are great for the plant. It may be receiving too many or too few rays, which will lead to patches of light leaves and dark leaves.
What is so special about Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Golden pothos is not fussy when it comes to light and temperature.
- If you find your plant is drooping, it probably needs water.
- It is a great humidifier.
- It is a plant that needs very little care, but if you do provide care, the rewards are fantastic.
Are Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) good indoor plants?
Yes, Golden pothos grows well in bright light, but it tolerates low light conditions making it a great office house plant.
Can pothos (Epipremnum aureum) grow in low light?
Yes, you can grow this plant in low light, but it will grow faster if it is in a bright area.
Summary
Golden pothos is a plant that can be used as an attractive ornamental groundcover or houseplant. It has large, heart-shaped leaves and gives forth yellow flowers on short stems in the springtime. The word “pothos” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a falling” because it was believed to have medicinal properties against parasites.
They are native to Southeast Asia but now grow all over the world. So if you’re looking for a new addition to your garden or home, consider adding Golden pothos plants today.