Pothos

About Pothos

Pothos, also sold as golden pothos or devil's ivy, is a tropical vine from the Solomon and Society Islands with glossy heart-shaped leaves splashed in yellow, white or cream. It is one of the most forgiving houseplants: it trails from a shelf or hanging basket, climbs a pole with its aerial roots, survives long spells in dim light and roots from a cutting dropped in a glass of water (NC State, Penn State). Outdoors in Florida it escapes into hammocks and floodplain forests, so UF/IFAS says to keep it indoors there.

None of the Extension pages we opened give a hardiness range. It is a frost-tender tropical vine grown indoors everywhere, and it can summer outdoors in shade once nights stay above about 60 F; in Florida UF/IFAS rates it a high invasion risk and says not to plant it outside.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Usually bought as a nursery plant or started from a stem cutting rooted in water or moist mix (NC State, Penn State).

Growing it indoors

• Light: Survives long stretches in low light, but the variegation fades and growth slows, and direct sun yellows the leaves (NC State, Penn State); the all-green 'Jade' does best in dim rooms.
• Water: Water when the mix has dried, soak it until water runs out the bottom, then let it dry again; overwatering blackens leaf edges and rots the roots, so err on the dry side (NC State, Penn State). A drooping vine is usually just thirsty and perks up within hours of a drink; water less in winter.
• Humidity: Ordinary room humidity is fine; a tray of wet pebbles or a humidifier helps in dry winter air (NC State).
• Temperature: Happy at normal room temperatures of 60-80 F (Penn State); MU Extension suggests nights around 65 F, and it should never see frost.
• Feeding: Penn State feeds a balanced houseplant fertilizer every two weeks spring through fall and monthly in winter, while NC State says every other month with none during the winter rest; anything in that range keeps it growing.
• Repotting: Repot each spring into a pot one size larger with fresh soilless mix, or trim the roots and up to a third of the vines and put it back in the same pot with fresh soil; go easy on water afterward (Penn State).

Soil

A well-drained, soilless potting mix in a pot with a drainage hole; it rots in mix that stays wet (NC State, Penn State).

Pot in a well-drained soilless potting mix in a container with a drainage hole (NC State, Penn State).

Feeding

• Spring through fall, while new leaves are coming: balanced water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Penn State feeds every two weeks at label strength; NC State feeds every other month. Water first, then feed; never feed a dry or wilted plant (MU Extension).
• Winter: balanced houseplant fertilizer, or none. Penn State drops to monthly; NC State skips feeding through the winter rest, and MU Extension says skip it whenever no new growth is showing.

Don't feed a plant that is sitting in dim light or soggy mix; poor growth there is a light or water problem, not a nutrient one (MU Extension).

Varieties (9)

NC State and Penn State Extension name 9 cultivars.

Pests to watch for

Mealybugs, Scale insects, Thrips

Diseases and problems

Root and crown rot

In the kitchen

Safety: Every part contains calcium oxalate crystals: chewing it causes burning and swelling of the mouth, lips and tongue, drooling and vomiting, and the sap can give a skin rash (NC State, medium severity). Keep it out of reach of small children and wash your hands after pruning.

Pets: Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA): insoluble calcium oxalates cause oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, heavy drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. NC State also lists it as a problem for horses.