What is a Pothos Plant?
The Potho’s Plant, known as Devil’s Ivy, or Variegated Philodendron, who’s botanical name is Epipremnum, is a popular, easy-to-grow indoor plant. It’s native to Southeast Asian jungles, and can grow up to 40 feet or taller. Planted indoors, in a pot, the Potho plant seldom grows more that 6 feet in length.
The Pothos leaves are glossy. Leaves are often solid green or variegated with either white, known as Marble Queen. Yellow or lighter green, is known Tricolor.
This plant does extremely well in a hanging basket, but can also be placed in a pot, where a pole has been placed. The plant will attach it’s self to the pole, climbing upward. This makes for a decorative plant, in any room of your home.
The green variety of this plant, prefer low light. Whereas the variegated plant prefers medium light. The variegated Pothos will live in low light but their variegation may fade. The Pothos plant can take bright light, but direct sunlight will scorch the leaves.
These house plants do extremely well, when the soil is allowed to dry out, between waterings. The finger test is reliable, if you are not sure when it may need watered. Insert your index finger into the soil, about an inch down. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water.
The Pothos plant, as far as temperature, is comfortable in temperatures between 65 degrees to 75 degrees. Any temperature below or above that, puts a strain on the plant. It is most comfortable in room temperatures. If it’s chilly to you, or hot to you, then chances are, the plant is feeling the same way.
Since Pothos grow slowly and they don’t bloom, it is wise to feed the plant with a liquid plant food, once a month. Liquid plant food can be found at Nursery Centers, or any Hardware store. For those who live in regions where there is cold winters, that tend to dry out the air in your homes. It is helpful to mist them, several times a week. A spray bottle filled with water, lightly misting the Pothos leaves, will not only keep the leaves from drying out, but will make it thrive. An occasional dusting, also helps ensure that it stays healthy.
In the end, the Pothos plant is not very demanding, and is the perfect for those who tend not to have a green thumb. For those who can’t be home on a daily basis, it has a high tolerance for neglect. So it’s easy to see how this house plant is a favorite among many.
* All parts of the Epipremnum, Pothos, Philodendron, are poisonous if ingested in large amounts. This can cause swelling of lips, mouth, tongue and throat. It can also cause diarrhea. The plant can also cause minor skin irritation, lasting a few minutes, upon contact. Always be sure to keep this plant away from children and pets!
The pothos plant, Epipremnun aureum or Scindapsus aureus, is considered to be the most common indoor houseplant. Pothos plants are easy to grow and maintain, and flourish in a variety of indoor conditions. In other words, the plant can survive varying levels of light, temperature, air humidity, and watering. In addition, the pothos plant is one of few species of indoor plants that can grow without any natural light source. Generally, the pothos plant is an easy-going botanical addition to an indoor space. The leaves of the pothos plant, also called Devil’s Ivy, are waxy and smooth. Different varieties of the pothos plant have leaves of different colors. The most common variety of pothos plant is called Jade Pothos, and has evenly colored green leaves. The Golden Pothos has leaves that are colored with patchy shades of yellow and green. The Marble Queen Pothos has leaves that are patched white and green. A newer variety of pothos, called the Neon Pothos, has green and chartreuse leaves.
