Jade pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, is an incredibly versatile plant that originated from Solomon Islands and can be grown indoors or out.
It thrives in both humid and arid climates, making it attractive to anyone who wants a beautiful plant for their home. While the Jade pothos look fragile, its vines are very hard.
Jade pothos come in green or variegated varieties, both of which are equally easy to care for. Many people find that the Jade pothos is an easy houseplant to grow indoors because they can place it in direct sunlight without fear of burning the leaves. The vines range anywhere from one foot to six feet in length.
Appearance and characteristics
I bet you’re thinking, “wow, that’s some green plant!” Well, you’re right. It is a green plant. Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is the plant’s name with large leaves and thick stems; its scientific name means golden devourer. People often call it devil’s ivy, pothos, or just plain old ivy.
Its leaves are large and heart-shaped with jagged edges. The plant is noted for its toughness, meaning that it can adapt to most conditions and still thrive. It’s easy to find in the store because it’s popular. People buy it both as an ornament plant and as a houseplant. Jade pothos is a useful plant that can be used to remove acetone and toluene.
Quick summary
Botanical Plant name: Epipremnum aureum
Native to: French Polynesian islands
Care: Medium to medium-low light. Between 65 – 85° degrees Fahrenheit.
Size: The green Pothos can grow up to about 30′ feet in length (and wild pothos
much longer than that). But most plants will look best if kept at or below 6′-10′ feet.
Common problems: Southern blight, root rot, powdery mildew, and botrytis.
Toxicity: Pothos plants are toxic to adults, children, and even pets.
Plant inspiration tip: does your home need an ornamental plant, then check out Burmese evergreen.
How to care for Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Watering
Watering Jade pothos requires very little maintenance. If the soil seems to be drying out, give your Jade pothos a little water.
If your Jade is outside, feel free to leave it there for a few days, and it will be fine. Just give it a thorough watering before bringing it back inside.
Humidity & Temperature
Jade pothos can survive in some extreme temperature ranges, but this is more difficult for the plant. During the more extreme summer months, make sure to give your Jade pothos some shade if it is outside. If you decide to bring it back inside, don’t let the Jade get too hot either.
You can transfer it to a more shaded area of your home or put it in a cooler location.
Cleaning
Jade pothos plants are extremely easy to clean since dirt does not cling to the jade leaves very much. This means that you should only have to clean off your Jade once or twice a year. Using a damp cloth or spray bottle for this challenging task will be better.
Fertilizing & Soil
Jade pothos plants require slightly acidic soil that is moist but well-draining. You can buy specific soil mixes or use well-draining potting soil. Make sure to fertilize your Jade pothos once every 2-3 months during the warmer seasons with liquid or slow-release fertilizer.
Repotting
When repotting your Jade pothos, be sure to use a pot that is only one size larger than the previous one and make sure there are still holes for drainage. It would be best if you only had to re-pot your Jade pothos every 2 or 3 years unless you’re using a porous clay pot, in which case you may need to re-pot more often.
Plant recommendation tip: looking for a tropical plant, then check out the beautiful Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum).
How and when to prune Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
As a houseplant, Jade pothos can become out of control if it doesn’t have their leaves pruned regularly. Lopping off entire stems or branches of Jade pothos is acceptable and can be done at any time of year. The plant will back bud or sprout new growth from the cuts, helping to keep it in check.
When dealing with older stems, cut them back to within three leaves of the main stem. If you are doing a complete pruning of your Jade pothos, cut it back to within 3 inches of the soil. Even with these harsh pruning jobs, your Jade pothos will grow back.
You can also prune your Jade pothos back to control the growth. If you are trying to keep it in one spot, cut off any long branches to not lean or hang outside of your desired area. If you want to keep it at a certain height, cut the vines off at any time after the leaves grow to the desired size. For example, if you want your Jade pothos to be tall, let the vines grow out until they are the length you want. Then prune the vines to keep the plant at that size.
Pruning can also be done for aesthetic purposes. By cutting off any discolored or damaged leaves, you can promote new growth and keep your plant looking fresh. Jade pothos doesn’t mind this type of pruning, and it will encourage new foliage.
Even though Jade pothos can be controlled through pruning, you should not prune it back severely. Jade pothos is known for its ability to grow long vines and leaves; without them, the plant will become bare and unattractive. Maintain moderate pruning to keep your Jade pothos healthy, attractive, and controllable.
Problems with Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
One of the most common problems associated with Jade pothos is chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves caused by iron deficiency. This is often due to over watering and insufficient drainage or because the plant’s potting media has poor aeration.
If this problem continues, the plant may begin to exhibit stunted growth. Although most commonly observed in Jade pothos, chlorosis can also affect other species of Epipremnum.
Another common problem with Jade pothos is root rot, caused by poor drainage, low light levels, and over-watering. This problem is usually the most severe when the plant is young because its root structure does not have a large enough volume of soil in which to spread.
Brown rot from the Jade pothos plant is also common, especially when exposed to excessively humid environments or kept too close to kitchen or bathroom sinks. All the parts of the plant are affected by the brown rot disease.
How to propagate Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
To propagate Jade pothos, take cuttings of any length and stick them in moist soil or a glass of water. They will root and proliferate. Once they have rooted, pot them up and treat them as you would any other plant.
Plant inspiration tip: does your home need an indoor low maintenance plant, then grab yourself a Golden Pothos from Southeast Asia.
Common FAQs
How much light does Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum) need?
Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum) require an average amount of sunlight during the day and should not be placed in direct sunlight as it may burn the leaves and cause them to appear yellow.
What is so special about Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum) need?
Jade pothos vines are a popular houseplant for a good reason: it tolerates low light, neglect, and inconsistent watering. But there’s much more to love about the plant than its hardiness.
It is one of the few plants that can remove volatile organic compounds from indoor air.
Are Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum) good indoor plants?
Yes, Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are very low-maintenance plants. They are the easiest of all houseplants to grow.
Can Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum)grow in low light?
Yes, because it is so adaptable, it can also survive very low-light conditions.
Summary
Jade pothos is an excellent plant for people who don’t have lots of time to take care of their plants. The leaves are easy to clean, and the plant has few insect pests. It also thrives in neglectful environments like offices or dorm rooms with little light or water.
If you find yourself cleaning your house less often than usual, be sure to get one of these plants ASAP.