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Slick glossy leaves. Luxurious winding vines. Bright vibrant green colour…When you think of a golden pothos, these are just some of its legendary characteristics that may come to mind.
Also known as a devil's ivy, ceylon creeper, ivy arum or hunter’s robe, one thing that doesn’t change about the golden pothos? It’s popularity. This evergreen plant is one of the world’s most popular houseplants and takes pride of place in homes across the globe.
Whether you choose to enjoy this houseplant hanging off a shelf or trained up a wall, the golden pothos covers all bases and learning how to take care of this indoor pothos plant really could not be easier.
Where should you start? Here’s everything you need to know about golden pothos care, including the best tips on devil’s ivy propagation and what to do if your devil’s ivy has yellow leaves!
What is a golden pothos plant?
The golden pothos (officially known as an Epipremnun aureum) is an evergreen vine plant that is part of the Araceae family. Native to French Polynesia, this green leafy plant is now grown across the globe as a popular indoor house plant, much-loved for its easy going nature. In fact, this plant has even been given the name devil’s ivy, for its ability to stay alive in almost any conditions! The ease of golden pothos care makes it perfect for any houseplant beginner!
What are the benefits of a golden pothos plant?
As we mentioned, one fantastic thing about a golden pothos is that golden pothos care is super easy. But, the good news doesn’t stop there! Research by NASA revealed the golden pothos also have amazing air purifying qualities, including reducing formaldehyde levels in the plant's surroundings. So, there’s one more reason to get one for your home!
Are golden pothos plants poisonous?
Golden pothos plants are poisonous and can be harmful if eaten. This is something to keep in mind if your pothos plant is kept within the reach of pets or small children.
How To Take Care of an Indoor Pothos Plant…
While it may be hard to kill a golden pothos plant, engaging in a little golden pothos care is essential in making sure your plant does not just survive but thrives. Here’s everything you need to know about how to take care of an indoor pothos plant:
Water
Golden pothos plants don’t need loads of water, but they still appreciate a watering every one to two weeks. Our advice? Check your golden pothos plant every week and if the first two inches of soil are dry, give it a glug!
Light
Golden pothos plants are not too fussy about light, they will still grow in almost any spot. But, if you have a choice, pop them in a spot with bright but indirect sunlight, this will allow them to grow the most without burning their leaves.
Humidity
Native to the tropics, pothos plants enjoy a room that gets a little moisture. This means that they could be great plants for your kitchen or bathroom! If that’s not the right spot for your plant, don’t worry, they will be fine in a normal room and, if you really want to get in their good books, give them a spray of water every now and then!
Temperature
Golden pothos plants will thrive at normal room temperatures, this means they should be kept in a spot that is not too hot and not too cold. In other words, don’t pop them by a radiator, but don’t leave them by a cold draught either!
Fertiliser
In general, pothos plants don’t need to be fertilised. However, if you want to go above and beyond with your golden pothos care, a little fertiliser in when your pothos is growing will never go amiss!
Propagation
Devil’s ivy propagation couldn’t be easier and it can be done in water. All you have to do is cut off a vine around 2 inches below the node and leave it in water. New roots should soon grow and this propagated plant can then be planted.
Repotting
If your golden pothos becomes root bound or is having some health problems, it is a good idea to repot it - using our 3-piece garden tool set for example. The best time to do this is during the spring or summer months when your plant is at its strongest.
Troubleshooting
When it comes to golden pothos care, it’s important to not just know how to look after your plant, but what to do when things go wrong. Here are some common golden pothos care problems…
Devil’s ivy yellow leaves
More often than not, if the leaves of your devil’s ivy go yellow, it’s because it is being over watered. If this happens, check the roots. If the roots still look healthy, there is no lasting damage, and letting your pothos plant dry out a bit should bring the leaves back to life. If there are signs of root rot in the root, don’t worry, all is not lost. Just cut off the affected roots and repot.
Large brown spots
If brown spots begin to appear on the leaves of your pothos, there is one culprit: too much sunlight. Bright, direct sunlight can be too much for your golden pothos, so if you see brown spots, just move it to a shadier spot.
Brown tips
While brown spots on the leaves are likely to be a light issue, if just the tips of the leaves are brown it’s a different story. Brown tips most likely indicate underwatering or a lack of humidity. So, make sure your plant has enough water in the soil, and give it a few sprays with a mister. This should bring it back to full health!
Wilting leaves
Confusingly, wilting leaves can be a sign of two things. Underwatering or overwatering. How to tell which is the case for your plant? Check the soil. If the soil is moist, it’s likely overwatering is an issue. If it is dry it’s the opposite. Once you know this, you can act accordingly.
Small spotting
If small irregular brown, yellow, or black spots appear on your plant (rather than large brown ones caused by direct sunlight), it is likely to be a pest issue. In this case, check for signs of pests and, if they are found, a homemade insecticide should do the trick!
Zero growth
Sometimes, you may notice your plant is not growing like it normally would. In this case, check the roots. It may be that your golden pothos has grown as much as possible in the pot it is in. If your pothos is root bound, repotting it in a larger pot should get it growing again.
At the end of the day…
It’s clear by now that golden pothos care is pretty simple. Not only are golden pothos plants hard to kill, but if you learn how to care for an indoor pothos plant, it’s more than likely that they will be thriving in no time! This makes pothos plants perfect for beginners, who will pick up all the tricks of golden pothos care in no time.
So, the hardest part of golden pothos care is choosing whether you want them trailing down a windowsill or climbing up your bookcase. Our advice? Get two and do both!
