Epipremnum aureum – How to Grow and Care for your plant

This guide would give you all the information about devil’s ivy and the detailed process to care for it.

Epipremnum aureum can be found in almost every home of every nature lover. You may also know the plant as scindapsus, devil’s ivy, pothos, ceylon creeper, hunter’s robe, ivy arum, money plant or taro vine. You see them all around for the simple reason that they survive in nearly every condition and flourish. This makes epipremnum aureum a new gardener’s best bet. The heart-shaped, glossy, medium-green leaves of the plant are variegated with a paler green underside that turns a dull living space into a vibrant one.

This guide would provide all the information about devil’s ivy and the detailed process to care for this evergreen, low-maintenance, NASA-recommended air-purifying perennial indoor plants.

 

Epipremnum aureum: The plant

A beginner’s guide to growing and caring for epipremnum aureum

 

This low-maintenance, easy-on-the-eye plant with glossy green leaves and cream and yellow streaks and blotches, can adorn any part of your home.

Also read all about Spider plant Vastu direction and maintenance tips

 

Epipremnum aureum: Fact sheet

A beginner’s guide to growing and caring for epipremnum aureum

 

Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum

Genus: Epipremnum

Species: Aureum

Family: Araceae

Native: French Polynesia and the Solomon Islands

Life cycle: Perennial

Propagation: Stem-cutting

Climbing method: Scrambler

Height: Up to 20 m

Soil type: Well drained

Light: Full sun

Watering: When the first quarter inch of soil begins to feel dry

Maintenance: Low

Ideal to be grown in: Containers, hanging baskets, vertical spaces

Flowering: Rare

Poisonous: Humans, cats, dogs, horses

Poison symptoms: Pain and swelling in the mouth, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, skin irritation, diarrhoea

Also read all about Jade plants benefits

 

How to grow and care for epipremnum aureum?

A beginner’s guide to growing and caring for epipremnum aureum

 

From growing it in a hanging basket to trailing it down from a high shelf, there are several ways to add this perennial inside your home. All it needs is a moss-covered pole to keep growing. If you have this leafy climber at home, you need to care for it too.

Light: Devil’s ivy requires partial light all through the year. Its leaves would begin to lose sheen and texture if exposed to excess light.

Temperature: The ideal temperature for your money plant is between 15-29ºC. While it can withstand a dip in temperature, it would die at a temperature below 10ºC.

Soil: Well-draining soil is perfect for epipremnum aureum.

Watering: Like most house plants, this one requires watering only when the first quarter inch of the soil goes dry.

Fertiliser: Fertilising is needed only if the soil quality is poor. Otherwise, the plant would grow on its own. From spring to summer, feed your plant every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Use the fertiliser sparingly during winter.

Propagation: Propagation is best done through cuttings. Just cut a section of the parent plant. Submerge the cutting into the water for two weeks. Once roots start to show, transfer the cutting to a container.

 

A beginner’s guide to growing and caring for epipremnum aureum

See also: ZZ plant benefits and maintenance tips

 

Possible problems with your Epipremnum Aureum

  • Over-watering will result in the leaves turning yellow.
  • Over-watering would also result in rotting of roots.
  • Leaves will turn limp in case of drop in temperature.
  • Artificial misting is required if your home conditions are dry. In case of a lack of proper humidity, the tips of the leaves would turn brown.

 

FAQs

Is epipremnum aureum poisonous?

Yes, its foliage and sap are toxic and may cause mouth and skin irritation, if consumed.

What is the common name used for pothos in India?

Pothos is commonly known as the money plant in most Indian households.

Does epipremnum aureum have air purifying properties?

Yes, epipremnum aureum is known to be highly effective as an air purifier, reducing the most common house air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.

 

Was this article useful?
  • 😃 (2)
  • 😐 (0)
  • 😔 (1)

Recent Podcasts

  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 42Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 42
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 41Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 41
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 40Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 40
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 39Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 39
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 38Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 38
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 37Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 37