How often should I water Golden Pothos?

Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. It's better to underwater slightly than to overwater.

What kind of light does it need?

It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions, though growth may slow.

Can I propagate Golden Pothos?

Yes, you can easily propagate it from stem cuttings placed in water or soil.

Does it need fertilizer?

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season.

Why are my leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves are often a sign of overwatering, but can also indicate underwatering or a lack of nutrients.

Plant guide

Golden Pothos.

Epipremnum aureum

Pronounced eh-pih-PREM-num AW-re-um

Also known as Devil's Ivy, Golden pothos, Silver Vine, Money Plant, Devil's Ivy, Solomon Islands' Ivy, Hunter's robe, Ivy arum, Taro vine, Devil's vine, Ivy-arum, Marble Queen, Silver Vine, Taro vine, Tonga Vine, devil's-ivy

Golden Pothos is a popular, easy-care vining plant known for its heart-shaped leaves splashed with gold or yellow. It's a fantastic choice for beginners and can adapt to various indoor conditions, bringing a touch of the tropics to any space.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Vining houseplant
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: Vining, can reach 10-20m in length
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely flowers indoors, but can bloom in tropical outdoor conditions

Care

Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, and avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot. Provide bright, indirect light and well-draining soil for best results; it can tolerate lower light but may lose some variegation.

Watering: Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Reduce watering in cooler months.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 30 days during the growing season (spring and summer).
Pruning: Prune as needed to maintain desired shape and size, or to encourage bushier growth. Pruning can be done year-round.
Repotting: Repot every 1-2 years, or when the plant becomes root-bound, typically in spring.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 29°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many years indoors with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water drains through the pot very quickly.
Plant appears stunted or growth has slowed significantly.
The soil surface is consistently dry shortly after watering.

Safety

People: Ingestion can cause oral irritation, swelling, and stomach upset due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.
Pets: Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing oral irritation and vomiting.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children as ingestion can cause irritation and discomfort.
Contact allergens: Sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: No significant respiratory allergens are typically associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

Heart-shaped leaves
Golden or yellow variegation
Trailing or climbing vine
Aerial roots
Glossy leaf surface

Height: 0.1 to 20m
Spread: 0.1 to 1m
Leaves: Green, Yellow, Gold, evergreen
Flowers: Greenish-white

Common problems

Root rot — Overwatering leads to soggy soil, causing fungal root rot which results in yellowing leaves and wilting.
Spider mites — Tiny pests that feed on plant sap, causing stippling on leaves and fine webbing.
Mealybugs — Small, white, cottony insects that cluster on stems and leaves, sucking sap and weakening the plant.
Yellowing leaves — Can be caused by overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiencies.

Growing it

Propagation: Cuttings, Division
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: As a tropical plant, Golden Pothos is typically grown indoors and does not require special overwintering. Protect it from cold drafts and temperatures below 55°F (13°C).
In containers: Grows very well in pots and hanging baskets, with a minimum pot size of 6 inches recommended for young plants.

Stem Cuttings in Water

Select a healthy stem with at least one leaf and a node (the small bump where a leaf attaches).
Cut the stem just below the node using clean scissors or a knife.
Place the cutting in a jar or glass of water, ensuring the node is submerged.
Position the jar in bright, indirect light and change the water every few days.
Roots should appear in a few weeks; once they are an inch or two long, you can plant the cutting in soil.

Stem Cuttings in Soil

Take stem cuttings as described above, ensuring each has at least one node.
Remove the lower leaf or two so the node is exposed.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, if desired.
Plant the cutting about an inch deep in moist potting mix.
Keep the soil consistently moist and place in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group plants with similar light and watering needs for easier care.

Grows well with

Spider Plant — Both plants thrive in similar conditions of indirect light and moderate watering, making them easy to group together.
Snake Plant — They share a tolerance for lower light and infrequent watering, creating a low-maintenance display.
ZZ Plant — Similar drought tolerance and ability to handle lower light levels make them compatible companions.

Keep away from

Direct Sunlight — Intense, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, causing brown spots and fading the variegation.
Overwatering — Consistently wet soil can lead to root rot, a common and often fatal issue for this plant.

Similar species

Heartleaf Philodendron — Both are vining plants with heart-shaped leaves that prefer similar care, though Philodendron leaves are typically a more uniform green or have different variegation patterns.
Monstera deliciosa — While also a vining plant with fenestrated leaves, Monstera is much larger and has distinct leaf splits that Pothos lacks.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Epipremnum
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Native to the Indo-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia and islands in the Pacific.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

In its native habitat, it's a climbing vine that grows on trees and other surfaces, spreading through its aerial roots.

Uses: Air purification, Ornamental foliage, Houseplant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9
Light: 3/9
Salinity: 1/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water Golden Pothos?: Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. It's better to underwater slightly than to overwater.
What kind of light does it need?: It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions, though growth may slow.
Can I propagate Golden Pothos?: Yes, you can easily propagate it from stem cuttings placed in water or soil.
Does it need fertilizer?: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season.
Why are my leaves turning yellow?: Yellow leaves are often a sign of overwatering, but can also indicate underwatering or a lack of nutrients.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Epipremnum comes from Greek words meaning 'upon' and 'a rush', referring to its climbing habit. The species name aureum means 'golden', referencing the golden-yellow variegation found in many cultivars.

Good to know

Also known as Devil's Ivy because it's very hard to kill.
It can grow very long vines, sometimes up to 30 feet or more indoors.
Comes in many varieties with different leaf patterns and colors.
It's a popular choice for hanging baskets and shelves.

Is your golden pothos looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.