The Jessenia pothos is a beautiful tropical vine that is commonly used by many as a houseplant. It is easily distinguished by its heart-shaped leaves that feature patterns with yellow-green hues which look stunningly beautiful against the dark green leaves.
Compared to other types of pothos, Jessenia has a good amount of variegation. This makes it grow slower because of the lack of enough green pigments in the leaves, a critical element needed for photosynthesis.
Nevertheless, if given time, the Jessenia pothos can grow into a bushy vine, just like the Satin pothos and Neon pothos.
In this guide, we will take you through everything you need to know to grow a healthy, and vibrant Jessenia pothos plant for your home or office space.
What is Jessenia Pothos plant?
Jessenia pothos is a tropical plant that is characterized by yellow-green leaves that are heart-shaped. It has a vining growth character and can survive in temperatures ranging between 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Jessenia pothos is popular for being very easy to grow and requiring minimal care, making them a great choice for beginners and busy seasoned gardeners.
However, all the parts of this plant are considered toxic to pets. They are also harmful to humans if ingested. You should be cautious when handling this plant, especially where you have pets or children in your home.
Quick summary
Botanical Plant name: Epipremnum Aureum’ Jessenia.’
Native to: French Polynesia.
Care: Requires little care to maintain.
Size: Can go up to 10 feet indoors.
Common problems: Root rot, bacterial leaf.
Toxicity: Mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested.
Plant inspiration tip: looking for inspiration for your home, then check out the West African Ficus lyrata.
How to care for Jessenia pothos
Sunlight
One quick way to tell how much light your Jessenia pothos requires is by looking at its variegations. The more lines and patterns, the more light is needed for the plant to thrive.
One thing that Jessenia pothos can not stand for long periods is exposure to direct sunlight. Direct sunlight “burns” the leaves, turning them pale in color.
Other than that, this vine can tolerate indirect lighting conditions that range from bright light to low light.
It is important to note, however, that leaving your plant in low light for long periods may result in the fading of the yellow and light green markings on your leaves.
Watering
Jessenia pothos is incredibly forgiving when it comes to neglect in watering. However, make it a habit to water your plant every 2-3 weeks. It is also advisable to water your plant whenever you notice the top two inches of potting soil have gone significantly dry.
Avoid watering when the soil is still wet. Too much water may expose your plant to root rot, which can cause the plant to die if not immediately revived.
Ensure that your pot has good drainage to allow excess water to drip out. Soggy soil can also easily cause root rot.
Humidity & Temperature
Jessenia pothos is adapted for both dry and humid places. However, a humidity of around 60% to 80% will see this plant grow vigorously.
One trick that you can use to maintain favorable humidity for this plant is placing the pot on top of a tray filled with water. When this water evaporates, the vapors produced help maintain the high humidity for the plant.
Jessenia pothos grows at a normal room temperature of around 18 to 23 degrees Celsius. Even though it can tolerate lower temperatures, anything below degrees Celsius will make the plant struggle to grow.
Cleaning
Jessenia pothos has a tendency to collect dust on its leaves easily. It is therefore important to regularly clean your plant to keep it looking fresh and healthy as well as get rid of pests such as spider mites.
One quick and easy way to clean the Jessenia pothos is by wiping the leaves with a soft cloth that has been soaked in a solution of soap and water.
Another way is to lather your hands with a solution of soap and water, then gently wipe off the top and bottom of the leaves.
Fertilizing & Soil
Jessenia pothos does not require any special nutrients. However, you can apply a house plant fertilizer as per the recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
Also, it does not require special soil for proper growth. Any good soil mix with drainage will do. You can however choose to add some perlite and other organic matter to help accelerate the plant’s growth
Repotting
If you notice roots protruding from the pot’s drainage holes. Then it’s an indication that the plant has outgrown the size of the pot and that it is time for repotting.
Purchase a plant pot that is atleast two sizes larger than the current one. Fill it with fresh potting soil before carefully lifting your plant, taking care not to damage the roots, and planting it in the new pot.
It is important to give your plant attention during this point to ensure it adapts quickly to the new surroundings.
Plant inspiration tip: check out the Southern African Spider plant for your home.
How and when to prune
Jessenia pothos tends to grow much slower than other pothos varieties. This is because it has a good amount of variegation. It may therefore not require pruning often.
However, given time, the vines may grow too long that the plant acquires a bushy look. If this is the case, you may need to trim your vines.
The best time to prune Jessenia Pothos is during spring. Pruning during this time allows the plant to quickly recover and start growing as this is when the plant’s growing season begins
When pruning, only make cuts above the nodes. This is where the leaf and stem meet.
Pruning above the nodes will encourage new growth with stems branching out.
Problems with Jessenia Pothos
Similar to other types of pothos, the Jessenia pothos is prone to a host of fungal and bacterial problems.
When bacteria attack the plant, the best option is to cut off the dead parts of the plant to avoid further spreading that can cause the whole plant to die.
Spider mites and Mealybugs are other problems that commonly attack Jessenia pothos. There are luckily natural solutions that can be used to get rid of these pests from your plant.
You can gently rub the affected parts of your plant with a cotton ball that has been soaked in rubbing alcohol or spray a soapy water mixture on the plant to suffocate the insects.
How to propagate
Jessenia pothos can be easily propagated from stem cuttings. Here’s how to go about it:
- Select a healthy stem that has nodes on it.
- Using a sterile pair of scissors or knife, cut about 4-6 inches of stem.
- Remove any lower leaves.
- Pour purified water that has less chlorine and fluoride in a jar.
- Place the cutting in the jar of water.
- Change the water after every three to four days or when it gets murky. This is to get rid of any bacteria that may affect root growth.
- After a few weeks, the roots will develop.
- Move the cutting into potting soil.
- Water the soil and continue to care for it
FAQs about Jessenia Pothos
How much light does Jessenia Pothos need?
Jessenia pothos grows best in moderate to bright indirect lighting.
What is so special about Jessenia Pothos?
The Jessenia photos have one unique feature; each of the leaves found in this vine is different in shape and size.
Is Jessenia Pothos a good indoor plant?
Yes. Jessenia pothos is a good indoor plant. Apart from it being an excellent ornamental plant, it is an air purifier. It gets rid of homestead toxins in the air, creating a healthier environment.
Can Jessenia Pothos do well in low light?
Yes. Although bright indirect light is best with this vine, it can also survive in low light conditions.
Plant inspiration tip: wanting more life and brightness for your home, then check out Goldfish plant.
Summary
Jessenia Pothos is one of those plants that is hard to kill. It thrives even with some degree of neglect even though it’s easy to care for. This makes it a great option for both experienced and inexperienced gardeners.
Its beautiful variegated foliage makes it a worthy addition to your space. Just like other pothos species, Jessenia is a natural purifier. It filters out harmful toxins from the air within the home, providing a healthy surrounding for both you and your family members.