How To Grow And Care For Devil's Ivy (Golden Pothos)

Chances are you've seen devil's ivy, also known as pothos, in many homes. It might have been dangling from a hanging basket or on a plant plant stand—the ideal vessels for showing off its trails of large, leathery green leaves sometimes marbled with cream or yellow. What you may not know about this indoor favorite is that it is one of the easiest houseplants to keep alive. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) stems can grow as much as a foot in length each month, quickly creeping along walls and down shelves in offices and hair salons.

In a tropical habitat, pothos grows massive leaves and thick vines that climb up the trunks of trees, but it's much more diminutive and well-behaved as a houseplant. According to The New Southern Living Garden Book, "This philodendron relative from the Solomon Islands is one of the toughest houseplants around, tolerating low light, infrequent watering, and near-total neglect." So if you didn't inherit a green thumb, this one might be for you. The only downside is if your household has pets or children who like to nibble on plants, because devil's ivy is toxic to dogs, cats, and people when eaten.

Plant Attributes

Devil's Ivy Care

Pothos prefer bright, indirect light or dappled light but can also tolerate low-light situations. If you're the type that forgets to water houseplants for weeks at a time, you've met your match with devil's ivy—it does best when the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings. It makes a particularly desirable plant for offices and homes due to its ability to purify the air of toxins and fumes.

While it is most popular as an indoor plant, this evergreen vine can be grown outside within the Tropical South (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and 11). Just be warned that it throws its inhibitions to the wind when taken outdoors. The IFAS believes it has a high invasion risk for central and southern Florida. If a tropical vine with extremely large leaves (up to 18 inches long) and stems (we're talking 40 feet or longer) doesn't fit with your yard goals, it's best to keep this one tucked safely inside. Devil's ivy leaves tend to grow to about 4 inches long indoors. With support, the vines will scramble up poles, over shelves, or across walls on hooks. When they grow out of bounds, you can give them a trim and use the cuttings to make new plants.

Light

Devil's ivy does especially well in filtered or dappled light near a window, as well as when placed away from windows in medium, indirect light. This houseplant will also tolerate low-light situations, even artificial lighting in an office. The plant will grow slower and may become spindly or fade in very low light. Variegated plants can lose their coloring.

Hot, direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. If you are using a south or west-facing window, a sheer curtain can help protect your plant from burning. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth from time to time to remove dust.

Soil

Use a lightweight, well-draining potting mix for your pothos. They do well in nutrient-rich potting mix that includes compost or slow-release fertilizer.

Water

Pothos prefers its soil lightly moist. Allow the top inch or two of potting mix to dry out between waterings. The plants do not do well in soggy soil and can develop root rot.

Temperature And Humidity

Like other tropical houseplants, devil's ivy should be kept away from drafts and heating vents. The plant thrives in temperatures between 70 and 90° F and high humidity. Since most homes are fairly dry, houseplant enthusiasts recommend misting the leaves with a spray bottle once a week. However, devil's ivy will tolerate indoor conditions in low humidity.

Fertilizer

Fertilize your plant twice a year with a liquid houseplant fertilizer according to package directions. Avoid fertilizing in winter, when devil's ivy isn't actively growing. If you're seeking faster, lusher growth, you can fertilize every other month with the exception of winter.

Types Of Devil's Ivy

• Golden pothos: The most common type you'll find, golden pothos is a generic label used for devil's ivy with golden stripes or streaks. The variegation may be irregular from leaf to leaf and plant to plant, so choose according to your tastes.
• 'Jade': This solid-green variety is actually a mutation of golden pothos, which is naturally variegated.
• 'Marble Queen': 'Marble Queen' is heavily streaked and spotted with yellow or cream across its leaves.
• 'Neon': The name says it all—'Neon' is a bright chartreuse variety without any variegation. Keep it in brighter light to maintain the color.
• 'Pearls and Jade': A mutation of 'Marble Queen,' this variety has large white patches and streaks that vary from leaf to leaf, resulting in a striking plant with lots of personality.
  

Pruning

If your pothos grows leggy or the vines start to take over the room, you can prune the plant at any time of year. Pruning also leads to bushier growth and provides free cuttings that you can plant. Use sterile snips or pruners to avoid spreading disease.

Propagating Devil's Ivy

If you can't get enough of your pothos plant, you're in luck—it propagates like a dream. Devil's ivy will sometimes revert from green to variegated or develop interesting coloration that looks different from the rest of the plant. Selectively removing that growth will preserve the original plant's color, while also allowing you to start a distinctive new plant. You can choose to propagate any time that you want to check the plant's growth or promote bushier growth, though cuttings root best in spring or summer because the plant is actively growing. Here's how to propagate devil's ivy from stem cuttings:

1. Cut stems from your plant with sterile snips or pruners, being sure to include at least two or three leaf nodes on each cutting.
2. Remove the bottom leaves and place the bottom end of the cuttings in a jar of fresh water. Make certain the nodes are submerged in the water and the leaves remain above the water.
3. Place cuttings in bright, indirect light. Change the water weekly or anytime you notice it growing cloudy.
4. Once roots appear, allow them to grow to at least 2 inches long.
5. Plant your cuttings in well-draining potting mix in containers with drainage holes. Keep soil lightly moist until the plants are well-rooted.

You can also root stem cuttings directly in potting soil. Take your cuttings as described above, then follow these steps:

1. Fill a small container with fresh potting mix and dampen.
2. Remove the bottom leaf on each cutting. Poke a hole in the potting mix with a pencil, then stick the bottom end of the cutting into the potting mix.
3. Press into place, making certain the bottom node is covered with potting mix.
4. Water containers and place in bright, indirect light. Keep potting mix evenly moist at all times until the cuttings are well-rooted.

Potting And Repotting Devil's Ivy

Devil's ivy home is often root bound when you bring it home from the garden center and should be repotted. The plants dry out too quickly when root bound, but also can rot when planted in too large of a container. Select a container that is one size larger (up to 2 inches wider in diameter) and that has drainage holes. Fill the bottom with fresh, lightweight potting mix that drains well and contains some organic matter. Place the plant in the center, then fill around it with potting mix. Lightly tamp down and water.

Keep an eye on your plant as it grows. If roots fill the pot or emerge from the drainage holes, it's time to move it to a larger pot.

Overwintering

Pothos doesn't like extreme temperatures, but you can give it a vacation outdoors in a sheltered area during mild weather. Once nighttime temperatures start to dip below 60° in fall or winter, bring the plant back indoors. Keep in mind that you have exposed your houseplant to pests. Spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil (including on the undersides of leaves) before bringing it in. Isolate your pothos from other indoor plants until you are sure any pests have been eliminated.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Scale and mealybugs may infest devil's ivy along with other houseplants. Scale looks like brown bumps on leaves and stems, while mealybugs look like tiny tufts of cotton. Scale may be controlled with neem oil, but sometimes plants have to be discarded. For mealybugs, spray with insecticidal soap or douse a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and swab it on the bugs.

Root rot can develop with overwatering and eventually cause the plant to wither away. Yellowing of newer growth, black spots on leaves, wilting when soil is moist, and mushy roots are all signs of overwatering. If your plant is in bad shape, the best course of action is to take a few healthy looking stem cuttings to propagate the plant. But you can also try to save your plant with these steps:

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot and shake off the soil.
2. Examine roots, looking for any that are turning black, soft, or slimy. Use sterile pruners to remove any infected roots.
3. Gently rinse the roots with lukewarm water to remove the remaining soil. If you notice further rot, go ahead and remove those roots now. Optional: Soak the roots in fungicide according to package directions.
4. Place the plant on a paper towel and allow roots to dry.
5. Using a brand new pot and fresh, sterile potting mix, replant your pothos. Water lightly and place in bright, indirect light.
   

How To Get Devil's Ivy To Bloom

Devil's ivy isn't grown for its blooms, which look similar to other plants in the arum family such as peace lilies. The flower spikes are hooded by a spadix and are creamy or greenish-white. Devil's ivy rarely blooms indoors because it is in an immature form.

Common Problems With Devil's Ivy

While devil's ivy is considered an easy and forgiving houseplant, it does require proper watering and lighting to thrive. Here are a few common problems that could affect your plant:

Yellow Leaves

Older leaves occasionally turn yellow and fall off as a natural part of the plant's aging. However, yellow leaves often are a sign of overwatering. Low light can make the problem worse. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings, and move to a slightly brighter location if light exposure could be a factor. Yellow leaves eventually fall off and leave bare spots on the vine, so prune as desired.

Black Spots Or Tips

Black spots or patches on leaves are a sign of overwatering. If the leaf tips turn brown or black, this can indicate under-watering or too much sun. Adjust your watering schedule and move to a more protected location if needed.

Fertilizer can cause salts to build up in the soil and turn leaf margins black. If you recently fertilized or haven't replaced your potting mix in a long time, repot the plant in fresh soil.

Wilting Leaves

Wilting can be tricky as it is a sign of under or overwatering. If you haven't watered in a couple of weeks, it's time to give the plant a good soak. If you've been watering regularly, let your plant dry out more between waterings. Keep in mind that the season can affect your plant's needs, and require watering more in summer and less in winter.

Fading Or Loss Of Color

Golden pothos and other variegated types can lose their color in very dim light. Move your plant a little closer to a window or into a brighter room. Also, mutations are common with new growth on pothos plants. Remove stems that don't sport the desired color, as they could eventually take over. This is an opportunity to take cuttings and grow a new devil's ivy plant.