The pothos plant (Botanical Name Epipremnum aureum) is a member of the Araceae family. It’s native to Asia but has been successfully grown in Europe and North America. This tropical vine can reach a height of 30 feet in the wild, with heart-shaped leaves that are dark green with striking purple markings. The leaves are also covered in tiny bumps called “glochids” that give them a rough texture.
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The pothos plant grows best indoors in partial sunlight and warm temperatures between 18°C and 27°C. It is not ideal for growing outdoors unless it’s situated under an overhang or in shaded areas outdoors like a tree branch or trellis, or another structure. It is the best houseplant for air purification, and it requires minimal care.
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Pothos plant: The Genus
Pothos, which is known as Epipremnum aureum, is a genus of flowering plants from the tribe Potheae, belonging to the Araceae family.
Pothos plant: Native habitat
The natural habitat of the Pothos plant is the tropical and sub-tropical forests. In tropical areas, the plant grows as a ground cover or as a scrambler up trees.
Pothos Plant: Quick facts
| Plant name | Pothos |
| Botanical Name | Epipremnum aureum |
| Family | Araceae |
| Life Span | 5 to 10 years |
| Plant Type | Vine |
| Mature Size | 20–40 ft. long, 3–6 ft. wide |
| Cultivation | Southeast Asia and Western Pacific islands |
| Pothos plant leaf | The predominant deep green leaves are interrupted by white, yellow, or light green patches |
| Pothos plant flower | A typical home environment will not allow plants to flower. |
| Benefits | Home decor |
Pothos plant: Physical features
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- As with all plants, pothos plants need light to grow.
- They also like humidity but will tolerate dry conditions as well.
Pothos leaves
- The pothos plant features small, oval leaves that are green and shiny.
- The heart-shaped leaves have alternate arrangement in juvenile plants but have irregular pinnation arrangement in mature plants.
- The leaves are divided into three groups: the lower leaf group has a reddish centre; the middle leaf group has a green centre, and the upper leaf group has no centre.
Pothos fruit
The fruits are small elliptical berries occurring on a solid central axis. The fruits are rarely produced in cultivation and but it is not edible.
Pothos mature height
The plant can reach up to a maximum height of 60 feet while climbing up trees. However, when grown indoors they reach up to 10 feet and they attain a height of 20 feet in non-tropical areas.
Growth rate
When grown in normal conditions with proper care, the plant can attain a size of 12 inches per month on average (30 cm per month) in its growing season. Some varieties grow faster than others. By making the conditions more favourable for the plant, its growth rate can be increased. This includes average room temperature, humidity, and light conditions.
Pothos: How to grow and propagate?
One of the simplest indoor plants to grow is the pothos, and it’s also one of the most popular. These plants are a great choice for beginners, though they do need a bit more work than many other houseplants.
If you want to grow pothos plants at home, it’s best to start them from seeds. You can also buy pothos plants at most garden shops or nurseries, but they’ll be much smaller than if you grow them yourself. You can also keep seeds in a sunny window and water them regularly. Once they’ve grown enough, you can transplant them into their own pots or even outside if the weather is warm enough.
When growing your pothos, plant outside in an area that receives full sun for at least part of the day. It’s important to keep it well-watered. This will lessen the likelihood of root rot.
Another alternative could be just to cut off a piece from your plant and place it in water. It will root itself within a few days. You can even save your Pothos plant’s cuttings and plant them in a pot of water to allow them to root themselves.
If you decide to use this technique, be sure to purchase a container that is at least 6 inches larger than the plant’s root ball so that it has room to grow and expand as it gets bigger over time. You also want to make sure that there’s plenty of space around each node on the plant’s stem so that they have room to extend out further into the soil.
Pothos plant: Maintenance tips
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- The pothos plant grows very fast, and it can reach a height of 1-2 ft within about 2-8 weeks, depending on the conditions you provide for it. You will need a container big enough to accommodate your pothos plant with plenty of space around it so that it can grow freely and develop its roots properly.
- The soil should be well-drained, but moist enough so that your plant doesn’t dry out between waterings.
- Pothos plants are easy to care for when they are young. However, as they get older, they may become more difficult to control due to their size and growth rate.
- They should be watered regularly during summer months with an occasional misting in wintertime. When watering your pothos, make sure you use water that’s just warm enough to be comfortable rather than hot or cold. Warm water will encourage growth, and cool water will cause leaves to droop.
- In addition, you should fertilise them once every two weeks during the spring and fall months with balanced fertilisation.
- To prevent browning on the tips of your leaves, pinch off any dead ends from time to time. You can do this with scissors or with your fingers. Pinching off dead ends also helps prevent rot and strengthens the overall structure of your plant by promoting stronger roots and stems.
Sun Tolerance
Pothos needs moderate indoor light. It can thrive in different light conditions, including low light. Thus, it can be grown outdoors in shade to partial shade.
Cold Tolerance
Pothos plant do not grow well below temperatures 18 degrees Celsius. Extreme cold is not suitable for the plant as it can enter a dormant phase.
Pothos Plant uses
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The pothos plant is a gorgeous, easy-to-grow houseplant with plenty of uses.
- Pothos is a popular houseplant that’s used for filling up bare spaces on windowsills, along the back of a couch, and in the middle of a coffee table.
- You can use this plant as a hanging basket, or you can leave it standing on its own.
- This plant features variegated leaves that will add a pop of colour to your living room or dining room table. It also makes an excellent indoor complement to an outdoor garden area.
FAQs
What is the most effective way to maintain the health of my pothos?
Pothos need to be watered every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Are there any signs that my pothos is healthy?
When looking at the leaves of a plant, watch for glossy, green, and perky leaves as signs that the plant is doing well.
What is the growth rate of pothos?
Each month, around 10-18 inches are gained by the plant.