Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Golden Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a staple in indoor plant collections for good reason. With its cascading vines and marbled green and yellow leaves, it adds a pop of color to any room and is incredibly forgiving for beginners. Native to the Solomon Islands, this tropical vine thrives in a wide range of conditions and is often recommended as a starter plant.
Its hardy nature means it can tolerate low light, missed waterings, and inconsistent care without much fuss. It’s one of the best choices for trailing from shelves, hanging baskets, or climbing up moss poles. Golden Pothos also improves indoor air quality and is easily propagated in water. Whether you’re just starting your plant journey or adding to a growing jungle, Pothos is a reliable favorite.
Quick Info
- Light: Low
- Water: Medium
- Size: Up to 10 ft trailing indoors
- Humidity: Moderate
- Temp: 60–85°F (15–29°C)
- Flowering: No
- Type: Tropical, Vine
- Dog Safe: No
- Cat Safe: No
- Kid Safe: No
Toxicity Info
- Dog Safe: No
- Cat Safe: No
- Kid Safe: No
Notes for Pets: Contains insoluble calcium oxalates which can cause mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting if ingested.
Notes for Kids: Not safe for ingestion. Can cause burning sensation and swelling of mouth/throat.
Care Instructions
- Water when top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry. Avoid soggy soil.
- Tolerates low to bright indirect light but grows faster in brighter spots.
- Fertilize monthly during spring and summer.
- Trim vines regularly to encourage fuller growth.
- Re-pot once roots begin to circle the pot or emerge from the drainage holes.
Common Problems
- Yellow leaves: Often caused by overwatering — let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings.
- Brown tips: Usually from dry air or inconsistent watering.
- Leggy vines: Not enough light. Move it to a brighter (indirect) spot.
- Root rot: Caused by soggy soil or poor drainage — always empty saucers.
- Pests like mealybugs or spider mites: More common in dry environments — wipe leaves and increase humidity.
FAQs
Yellowing leaves are usually a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure the soil dries out between waterings and that your pot has drainage holes.
Yes! Golden Pothos tolerates low light, though it may grow slower and lose some variegation. It thrives best in bright, indirect light.
Yes. Golden Pothos is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Keep it out of reach of curious pets.
Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. In most indoor environments, that’s about every 1–2 weeks depending on light and humidity.
You can encourage bushier growth by pruning leggy vines and placing cuttings back in the soil to root. Bright light also supports fuller growth.
Yes! Just cut below a node, place the cutting in water, and it’ll root in 1–3 weeks. Once roots are a few inches long, you can transfer it to soil.
