Are you interested in growing your own Golden pothos plants? Do you already have a pothos plant but need some help learning how to care for it properly? Are you looking for information about common pests affecting your pothos plants and how to deal with them? If so, this guide is for you.
This article will cover how to grow, maintain and care for your golden pothos plants. We’ll also look at common pests that may affect them and how to deal with them.
Related: 20+ Types of Pothos and Varieties
in this article:
About Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos plants (Epipremnum aureum) are commonly available houseplants known for their trailing vines which can be trained along structures such as trellises or fences.
They’re a great choice for busy people who want an easy-to-care-for plant that requires minimal attention. Pothos plants are also often used to decorate office spaces and other work environments because they do not require direct sunlight to thrive.
They are also known as Devil’s ivy, Money Plant, Taro Vine, or even just Pothos. Their leaves are heart-shaped or oval with pointed tips and vary in color from dark green to cream. Pothos plants can grow up to 10 feet tall when trained on a trellis.
Cultivars of the Golden Pothos are myriad and incredibly popular in cultivation. You can’t go to a nursery or garden center and not find a variety of Pothos for sale.
Rarer and more exotic Pothos varieties have some degree of variegation in various patterns, but the Epipremnum aureum, or the Golden Pothos, only features mild yellow variegation on its bright green leaves.
Golden Pothos Care
Caring for a Golden Pothos is easy. It is a very forgiving plant that can withstand a lot of neglect and abuse. As long as it has water, light, and warmth (but not direct sunlight), your Golden Pothos will be happy! The one thing to take note of is overwatering—they do not like to sit in water.
Light
Pothos do best in bright indirect light. Direct sunlight will cause the plant to wilt and become stressed, so avoid placing it there.
The best place to put your Golden Pothos is near a window that gets direct sun for part of the day but not all day.
Soil
Golden Pothos plants do best in well-drained soil rich with organic matter. If you have loose, sandy soil that drains quickly, that’s ideal. If not, add peat moss or compost to your potting mix before planting your Golden Pothos.
Water
Like most indoor plants, Pothos love to be watered, but they don’t like to sit in water. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Golden Pothos plants are drought-tolerant and do well with infrequent watering.
Avoid overwatering as this is the primary cause a pothos plant might die.
Related: Underwatered vs Overwatered Pothos
Temperature and Humidity
These plants like warm temperatures, but they can tolerate cooler ones. The ideal temperature range for Golden Pothos is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, although they can be kept outside in warmer climates. In the winter, keep your Golden Pothos indoors, where it will stay warm enough to thrive.
Maintain high humidity (50-70%) for the best results. Try misting your Golden Pothos plant regularly. You can also place your plant near a humidifier.
Fertilizer
Golden Pothos is a very easy houseplant to maintain. It does not require fertilizer to function, but it does help.
You should fertilize your Golden Pothos plant every two weeks while it’s actively growing. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength.
Pruning
Golden Pothos is very easy to prune. Simply remove dead leaves or those that are yellowing or turning brown. The plant will grow new ones in its place, so don’t worry about removing too much at once.
If grown as a vine, you can prune the plant back to encourage it to branch out.
Potting and Repotting Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos can be potted or repotted at any time of year. If you’re growing your Pothos in a container, it’s best to repot it when the roots begin to fill up the pot and completely surround it.
This will ensure the plant has good drainage and can continue growing. You should also repot your Golden Pothos if it begins showing signs of root rot, which can occur if there isn’t enough oxygen in its soil mix.
Spring or summer is the optimal time to repot your Pothos. This allows plenty of time for the plant to become accustomed to its new pot before winter arrives and it stops growing.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the Golden Pothos from its current pot and gently shake off any excess soil.
- Use the pruning shears to cut off any dead or rotting leaves.
- Fill the new container with soil, leaving a couple of inches of space at the top.
- Gently place your Pothos into their new home and firm down around the roots with your hands.
- Water well to settle in the plant’s new environment.
Propagating Golden Pothos by Cuttings (Step-by-Step)
Stem cuttings are one of the easiest ways to propagate Pothos. The new plant will grow from a cutting you take from your existing plant, which can be done at any time of year (preferably spring) and in any location. To start propagating golden Pothos by stem cuttings:
- Choose a healthy, mature stem with at least three nodes (where leaves emerge from the stem).
- Cut the stem just below a node with pruning shears.
- Use sharp scissors or a knife to remove any leaves on the bottom half of your cutting.
- Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and let it rest for an hour or so.
- Plant the stem cutting in a pot filled with moistened soil, just like you would for a seedling.
- Cover the cutting with mulch or sphagnum moss to keep the humidity high, and place it in a warm area with indirect light.
- Water well and keep the potting medium slightly moist until new growth appears.
Related: How to Propagate Pothos Plants
Blooms
Golden Pothos almost never bloom in their entire lifetime. Flowers are rare for these plants and rarer still for plants grown in cultivation. But, since these plants are primarily grown for their attractive leaves and variegation, a lack of blooms is no loss to anybody.
Toxicity
Golden Pothos Pothos is toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. It can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. The plant may also irritate the skin. Keep it away from children and pets to avoid accidental poisoning.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are soft, slow-moving pests that suck the sap from the Pothos. They feed on young shoots, flower buds, and stems, causing them to wither and die. Mealybugs are difficult to spot but can be identified by their cottony white masses or clusters on leaves or stems. The best way to control mealybugs is by using insecticidal soap spray or horticultural oil in early spring before new growth appears.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small, immobile white or brown creatures that live on the plant’s leaves and stems. They secrete a sweet fluid called honeydew that attracts ants. Ants protect scale insects from predators and clean their bodies in exchange for the honeydew they produce. Scale insects can be difficult to handle because they tend to spread quickly over large areas of foliage. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap to help control scale insects.
Spider Mites
These tiny pests suck the sap from the leaves, which causes wilting and brown spotting. You may also see webbing on the undersides of leaves, especially if you have multiple plants in one container. If you suspect that your plants have spider mites, spray them with water from a misting bottle or hose daily until all signs of damage disappear.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
Common Problems
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves can be caused by many different factors, including lack of light and improper watering. If your Golden Pothos is not getting enough sunlight or is overwatered, then its leaves will likely turn yellow. Yellowing leaves are also a sign that the plant is not receiving adequate nutrients through its roots. You can correct this problem by repotting your plant in new soil that contains additional fertilizer or by pruning away parts of the Pothos that are dead or dying.
Brown Leaves
Brown leaves often indicate that the plant is not receiving enough moisture, either because of a lack of regular watering or a dry atmosphere. Increase your watering frequency gradually until you see the leaves visibly recover their color. You can also try placing the plant somewhere more humid, like a kitchen or a bathroom. Alternatively, you can use a humidifier or water tray to increase the amount of moisture in the air.
Leggy Growth
If your plant has become leggy, it may mean that you are not providing enough light. Try moving the Pothos to a brighter location, like near a window or under a fluorescent light. Alternatively, you can provide more indirect light by placing a thin barrier between the plant and the sun so that it is not directly exposed to the direct sun.
