The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also called Devil's Ivy, is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Its heart-shaped leaves are splashed with gold, and its vines trail from shelves and hanging planters or climb a moss pole. It handles low to bright indirect light and needs water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach.
Golden Pothos Care & Buying Guide
Grows best in bright to medium indirect light. It tolerates low light, but growth slows and the leaves show less gold.
Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Use this as a simple watering schedule rather than watering on a fixed day each week.
Pothos plants love high levels of humidity. Spritz occasionally or place the plant near other humidity-loving houseplants.
Ideally, the Pothos grows best when temperatures are between 70°-90°F.
Outside: Grow in full sun to partial shade where nights are above 60°F. Indoors, avoid harsh direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Indoors: The Golden Pothos prefers bright, indirect light for at least six hours in south-, east-, or west-facing windows.
Fertilize every two to three months during their growing period in the spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer or topical granular soil fertilizer. Let the plant rest in the fall and winter.
Wait 6 to 12 months before repotting, or until roots grow through the drainage holes. In spring, move it to a pot about 2 inches wider with drainage holes. A terra cotta pot and a mix of indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark help extra water drain away.
To clean the leaves and alleviate dust particles: Shower them from above. Fill a watering-can with filtered, distilled, or tap water that has been sitting for 24 hours and is free of chemicals (chlorine or fluoride). Place the plant in a sink and lightly wash the leaves with a shower spray end watering can. Trim off any yellow leaves with sterile scissors. Remove any debris from the soil and replenish soil if needed. Inspect for any insects at this time. Prune the vines up to 2 inches from the soil line to create lushness at the top. As the vines spill over the rim of the container, trim to maintain their shape and size at your preference. Remove any dried or discolored leaves to keep the plant vigorous.
Stem cutting: In spring, cut a 5 to 6 inch vine tip just below a leaf node and root it in water, changing the water weekly. After 3 to 4 weeks, when the roots are 1 to 2 inches long, plant it in a small pot of well-draining mix.
Division: In early spring, cut the root ball into sections with a clean knife and pot each one at its original depth in fresh mix.
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Golden Pothos: Overview
The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Devil's Ivy, is a fast-growing tropical vine in the Araceae family. Indoors, its vines can trail several feet or climb a moss pole, and outdoors it is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11.
The Golden Pothos can tolerate occasional neglect, even as an indoor houseplant, making it perfect for people with busy schedules or novice gardeners.
Golden Pothos is associated with wealth and good luck in Feng Shui. It contains insoluble calcium oxalates and is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets and children.
Epipremnum Aureum: Benefits
- A resilient and low-maintenance plant that is almost impossible to kill
- Aesthetically pleasing, perfect for greening up indoor and outdoor spaces
- Often valued for indoor greenery and air purification support in plant-filled spaces
- Symbolizes good fortune, success, and financial prosperity
Golden Pothos: Care Guide
The Golden Pothos is an easy-care plant, ideal for new plant parents. Here are the basics:
Watering and Light
Water only when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Overwatering is the most common way to lose a pothos. It prefers bright to medium indirect light and tolerates low light, but direct sun can scorch the leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
Golden Pothos enjoys a warm and humid environment with temperatures between 70-90°F and high air moisture levels. Spritz your plant occasionally or place it on a pebble tray to maintain humidity. Alternatively, keep it in the bathrooms or kitchen.
Soil, Feeding, and Repotting
Your Epipremnum aureum prefers a well-draining soil-based potting mix with good aeration; adding perlite or orchid bark can help improve soil drainage. Fertilize your Golden Pothos with a balanced fertilizer in the growing season. Repot it every 2 years or when the plant outgrows its container. Replant your pothos plant if it's struggling or suffering from root rot to refresh the soil, trim damaged roots, and move it into a better-draining container.
Pruning and Propagation
Trim leggy stems to promote a bushier appearance. Cut off damaged foliage promptly to encourage the plant’s energy to turn into healthy new growth.
Propagating your pothos from cuttings in water or soil is the most popular method. In addition, you can multiply your plant by division or via the air layering technique.
Common Issues
Common issues with your Golden Pothos include soft, yellow, browning, curly, or drooping leaves. Avoid overwatering your plant and maintain high humidity levels indoors. Direct sunlight exposure can harm your Golden Pothos, causing brown leaves. Pests like mealy bugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats can be a problem, so check your plant regularly and treat it with an insecticide or plant-safe pest solution if necessary. If the soil stays soggy, refresh the potting soil and inspect for root rot.
Golden Pothos: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
Golden Pothos fits almost anywhere, from a bedroom shelf to an office desk.
Best Locations & Uses
- The Golden Pothos is ideal for your bedroom due to its proven air-purifying properties.
- It flourishes as a porch plant in warmer climates; bring it indoors in the cooler months.
- The Golden Pothos makes a great gift for various occasions, including Easter.
- It’s ideal for households with no cats and dogs unless you keep it out of reach.
- This vining plant looks great in hanging baskets, trained up a moss pole, or placed cascading from shelves to green up vertical spaces.
Best Companion Plants For Golden Pothos
Consider growing these lush companion plants together with your Golden Pothos:
- Money Tree (Pachira aquatica): The Money tree complements the Golden Pothos money plant perfectly, attracting financial prosperity and good luck.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): The ZZ Plant is another favorite among plant enthusiasts and its easy-care needs make it a great companion to your Golden Pothos.
- Philodendron Cordatum (Philodendron cordatum ‘Green'): The Philodendron Cordatum complements the Golden Pothos with its similar look and growing requirements.
Pet-Friendly Alternative Plants To Golden Pothos
Love other pothos? Marble Queen Pothos has a softer white-and-green look, but it is also toxic to pets. For a pet-friendly trailing plant, try one of these:
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): A fast-growing plant with arching, striped leaves that looks great in a hanging basket. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides): The Chinese Money Plant is a gorgeous non-toxic and lucky houseplant that can enhance your indoor garden.
- Hurricane Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): The Hurricane Fern is a pet-safe fern, boasting vibrant fronds and a unique appearance.
Order the Beautiful Golden Pothos From Lively Root Today
Buy the much-loved Golden Pothos from Lively Root and transform your indoor space! Order your Golden Pothos from Lively Root and enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance houseplant delivered with plant-safe packaging. During colder months, add a heat pack when available to help protect your plant in transit. Shipping timing may vary by availability and business days, but eligible plants are marked ready to ship when they're prepared for delivery.
