Golden Pothos

Water your Golden Pothos plant regularly and never leave the soil dry for too long. It is very forgiving with inconsistent watering, but as a general rule it should never be left in soggy soil. The plant needs slightly more water during the warmer months, and slightly less in the colder months.

Golden Pothos thrives in medium to bright indirect light, but it is very tolerant of low light conditions. It can handle direct sunlight, but may get scorched and lose its variegation. The more light the plant gets, the more vibrant and intense the yellow markings will be, and the more selective you can be with watering.

Golden Pothos generally loves the ambient warmth of homes and likes temperatures around 70°F (21°C) to 85°F (29°C). This plant does not do well in temperatures lower than 60°F (16°C) and should be kept away from cold drafts.

Epipremnum aureum is fine with average room humidity. It won’t mind if it gets a bit drier during the winter months since it takes a rest from growth. However, during the warmer times of the year, it is best to mist the leaves or place a humidifier in the room.

This plant likes to be in soil that is aerated, draining well, and can hold some moisture. A good combination to use is a peat-based soil with perlite or vermiculite and some additional organic material like compost.

Fertilization is not necessary, but if you want to promote better growth it’s recommended to feed your Golden Pothos plant during the warmer months, about once per month. Choose a balanced liquid or slow release fertilizer specifically for houseplants, diluted to about half-strength.

Golden Pothos is generally pest-free, but it can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scales, and aphids. To get rid of them, you should inspect the undersides of the leaves regularly and look for signs of infestation. Isolate the affected plant from other houseplants and use insect-soap or neem oil sprays (according to instructions on the label). If possible, use some eucalyptus oil in water and spray the plant leaves.

Golden Pothos doesn’t need to be repotted too often, but should be moved to a larger container every two to four years to promote growth. When repotting, use slightly larger pot with adequate drainage and always use fresh, well-drained soil.

Regular pruning will keep the plant bushy and encourage the growth of more abundant foliage. To prune, cut only the vines that have either lost variegation or are very long. Prune just below a leaf node to keep the plant looking tidy.

Mulching the soil can help maintain soil moisture and keep weeds away. A great choice for this plant is a sphagnum moss or coconut coir.

Golden Pothos can be propagated easily with stem cuttings. The best time to propagate is in early spring and late summer, and the cuttings should be taken from new and healthy growth. Prepare the cutting by trimming it just below a leaf node. Place the cuttings in moistened soil, using the same soil mix as mentioned before for regular repotting. Cover the cutting with plastic wrap to keep the heat and moisture in place and spray the cutting with water regularly. Roots should appear in four to six weeks.

Golden Pothos can grow very long vines, so providing support to the plant can help it keep its shape. If it’s needed, a wooden trellis or stake should be provided for the vines to climb or wrap around as the plant grows.

During the winter, you can give your Golden Pothos a rest period. This means that you should reduce some of the watering frequency, the amount of fertilizer, and the general care and attention given to the plant. It should start to become slightly dormant during this time and put all its energy into preparing to come back to life during the next growing season.

Golden Pothos is considered to be toxic to pets, as it contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause minor irritation to the lips, tongue, and throat and/or vomiting and diarrhea.