HOW TO CARE FOR GOLDEN POTHOS
The resilient houseplant perfect for everyone, even if you don't have a green thumb!
written by Gabrielle Smith
ABOUT THE GOLDEN POTHOS:
The Epipremnum aureum, more commonly known as the ‘Golden Pothos’ or ‘Devil’s Ivy’, is one of the most well known and popular houseplants. The name ‘Devil’s Ivy’ comes from the plant's resilience and reputation to be extremely hard to kill no matter how much neglect it has endured. The Golden Pothos is a beautiful vine plant with green leaves and speckled golden stripes. This plant is extremely easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of different conditions. For those with a busy lifestyle, the Golden Pothos is a great low-maintenance addition to any home or office
| Botanical Name: | Epipremnum aureum |
|---|---|
| Common Names(s): | Golden Pothos, Devils Ivy, Hunter’s Robe, Ceylon Creeper |
| Plant Type: | Vine/Climber |
| Place of Origin: | Southeast Asia & Solomon Islands |
| Sun Exposure: | Filtered Sun |
| Seasonality: | Spring, Summer |
GOLDEN POTHOS WATER REQUIREMENTS:
The Golden Pothos does not have complicated watering needs. During the autumn and winter months this plant requires a weekly watering of about half a cup of filtered water or until the top inch of soil is moist. In the warmer months of spring and summer, it may require some additional watering to prevent the soil from drying out due to excess heat. Always ensure that the Golden Pothos’s soil never dries out completely, but also don’t allow the soil to become soggy; soggy soil will stunt the growth of the plant and cause potential root rot.
GOLDEN POTHOS LIGHT REQUIREMENTS:
Do Golden Pothos Need Sunlight?
Although it is native to tropical climates with high temperatures and plenty of sunlight, the Golden Pothos prefers filtered sun. Filtered sun is when sun exposure is being filtered through a sheer curtain or the sun rays are not able to directly hit the leaves or flowers of the plant. The ideal location for your Golden Pothos to receive filtered sun exposure is about 5 feet away from a southern or western facing window. This will provide your plant with a touch of direct light for about 1 hour a day and the rest of the day the light will be obstructed. Despite preferring filtered sun, the Golden Pothos can still thrive in a variety of sun exposure environments including partial shade, where the plant receives 3 to 6 hours of sun a day. It can also continue to grow in full shade, where the plant receives only 3 hours of direct sunlight a day. Your Golden Pothos is receiving the perfect amount of light when its leaves appear larger and are a brighter green. Larger leaves are a sign that the plant is healthy and growing.
Can Golden Pothos Grow In Low Light?
The Golden Pothos does not require real sunlight; artificial and fluorescent lighting will work just as well to ensure your plant is growing and thriving. Being that it has the ability to thrive under fluorescent lighting, the Golden Pothos is a perfect plant to decorate your office.
GOLDEN POTHOS TEMPERATURE:
A temperature range between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for your Golden Pothos. Average room temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit will also satisfy your plants needs. However, the Golden Pothos is not frost resistant. Do not expose your Golden Pothos to any temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or you may risk serious damage or death of the plant.
Keep Your Golden Pothos Away From The Cold!
Do not expose your Golden Pothos to any temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit as this is the Golden Pothos minimum temperature tolerated. Anything below this and you may risk serious damage or death of the plant. When you use the Flora Pod ™ Sensor, you will be alerted when the temperatures are too cold for your plant, making it that much easier to keep your plant healthy! Here are two great ways to keep your Golden Pothos at an appropriate temperature:
1. You can increase the temperature for your plant by wrapping its pot in bubble wrap. Bubble wrap creates a type of insulation for your plant and will protect it from colder drafts.
2. Another way to increase the temperature for your plant is through heat lamps. Heat lamps are a great way to ensure your plant is at the ideal temperature and is not at risk of exposure to lower temperatures.
GOLDEN POTHOS HUMIDITY:
As it is native to a tropical environment, the Golden Pothos prefers humidity between 50 and 80 percent, with the ideal humidity being at 65 percent. To ensure your plant’s humidity needs are met, lightly mist your plant’s leaves with water; this will increase humidity levels and keep your Golden Pothos growing and healthy! Another way to ensure humidity needs are met is by grouping your Golden Pothos with other house plants. Plants release moisture from their leaves through the process of transpiration, which will increase the moisture in the air and create increased humidity for the plants.
COMMON GOLDEN POTHOS DISEASES:
1. Root Rot - Root rot is caused by overwatering your plants. The easiest way to protect your Golden Pothos from this disease is to be mindful of how much water you are giving it. When overwatered, the leaves will become mushy and flaccid.
2. Bacterial Leaf Spots - Overwatering also causes bacteria and fungus to mature in your plant’s soil, potentially causing your Golden Pothos to develop bacterial leaf spots. Bacterial leaf spots are small oval shapes on your plant that appear in a brownish-yellow color. The best way to treat bacterial leaf spots is through chemical or organic fungicide spray. By targeting the infected areas with the fungicide spray, the bacterial leaf spots should improve and eventually disappear.
3. Mealybugs, Scale, Spider Mites - In addition to diseases such as root rot and bacterial leaf spot, your Golden Pothos is also susceptible to pests such as mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Mealybugs are the most common pests and can be removed through the application of alcohol with a swab as well as insecticidal soap.
Use the Flora App to ensure all of your plant's needs are being met. Flora will send you alerts and reminders to let you know when it's time for your plant to be watered as well as give you a detailed guide on the optimal conditions to help your plant to thrive!