Golden pothos is an evergreen vine sometimes called “devil’s ivy” or “devil’s vine” because it is seemingly impossible to kill. It is a beautiful plant with thick, waxy, green, heart-shaped leaves with splashes of yellow or cream. It is very popular because it grows very quickly with low maintenance. It is a climbing plant and very easy to care for. It grows well in indirect bright sunlight but also grows without sunlight. Golden pothos can grow in soil as well as in water. By pruning, you can easily speed up the plant’s growth and even promote flowering and budding. It is a vining foliage plant and likes to climb around objects. For these reasons, you should place them in indoor houses, offices, and most greenhouses.
Now, I will share with you some ways to take care of golden pothos.
Put Your Golden Pothos in the Right Place
Golden pothos can live in both water and soil. You can use soil if you want to keep it on the balcony. If you want to keep it in indoor rooms, you can use either soil or water. If you keep it on the balcony and use water, the water will heat up, and your plant will die. Golden pothos will be happy in any place. Bright light is great for it, but direct light is not. However, it will also be fine in even deeper shade. It is good to know that its variegation can be lost if it is in deep shade.
When you use soil for your plant, you should use a pot with a hole so that excess water can escape through it. They grow equally well in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil. However, there are some benefits to nutrient-rich soil, so you should try using it. You can put it in a decorative container when you place it in your room to make it look very beautiful.
Give Your Plants the Right Amount of Water
Water is very important for your plants. Golden pothos can grow not only in soil but also in water. When you grow it in water, you should change the water every 2 to 3 days. If you want, you can change the water weekly. However, if you change the water frequently, the growth of the plant is better. During the growing season, which is spring or summer, water your pothos well. Soil plants absorb water faster during the hot season, so more water is needed during this time. But never more than necessary, as over-watering can cause root rot and ultimately kill the plant. Be careful about watering. When the soil is dry, then water your plants. When you see the leaves turning from green to yellow, avoid giving more water to your plants.
Give Your Plants Sufficient Light
Light is very important for your lovely golden pothos. Golden pothos thrives in bright but indirect light. It can grow easily in bright light, and it can also grow in low light. However, it cannot tolerate direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. Generally, golden pothos grows in the wild under large trees, clinging to them for protection from direct sunlight. In your home, place your pothos where direct sunlight cannot reach, such as near a window with filtered light or in a corner where it can grow slowly. If you notice your pothos losing its variegation in a shaded spot, move it to a brighter location.
Use Fertilizer for Your Pothos
Fertilizer is very important for your plants as it provides essential nutrients, protects them from insect attacks, and promotes faster growth and stronger roots. The best time to use fertilizer is during the growing season—spring and summer. You should fertilize about once per month during this time. Both liquid and slow-release fertilizers are suitable. Use slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of spring and again at the beginning of summer. Liquid fertilizer is preferable because it spreads well. Avoid using fertilizers in winter, as this is the dormancy period for plants, allowing them to rest after the rapid growth of the growing season. Avoid using too much fertilizer as it can harm your pothos.
Golden Pothos Propagation
It is very easy to propagate golden pothos. You need just 2 or 3 days to propagate your pothos. It is one of the easiest plants to propagate. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: First, decide whether to propagate your pothos in water or soil.
Step 2: Select a healthy vine to propagate.
Step 3: Place the healthy vine in water or soil. When using soil, support the vine with a small stick. For water propagation, cut the stems to your preferred size based on the container. After 3 to 4 days, roots will appear. Then you can transfer them to water or soil.
Prune Your Pothos
Pruning is very important for plant health. The growing season is the best time to prune. Use a sickle to prune, discarding any yellow leaves and cutting back some vines to maintain the plant’s shape. Water your plant 2 to 3 days after pruning.
Remove Pests from Your Plant
Pests can be a big problem, damaging young roots. To discourage fungus gnats, let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Mix rubbing alcohol, water, and dishwashing detergent properly, and apply it to your plants. You can also place a clove of garlic in the plant’s soil to repel bugs.
Drooping Leaves
Falling leaves in winter is normal. However, leaf fall at other times may be due to over-fertilization. Stop fertilizing for a while to resolve this problem.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves are common for golden pothos. If the yellowing is excessive, reduce watering and ensure the plant receives adequate light. Golden pothos is a fantastic indoor plant that gives a forest-like feeling. You can easily decorate your room, office, or living room with golden pothos.
In conclusion, by following the tips mentioned above, you will have a healthy, beautiful, and vibrant golden pothos.
