The golden pothos vine is one of the most popular and dependable houseplants available today. Formerly known as Scindapsus aureus, these plants grow to giant proportions in their native habitats. They can easily swallow 100-foot trees, and their mature leaves are as broad as basketballs. In home cultivation, they are exceptionally tough, both easy to propagate and maintain. See Growers Tips below for special planting ideas.

Growing Conditions:

Light: Bright, indirect light. Under full sun, the leaves will lose some of their distinctive yellow marbling.
Water: Keep the soil moist through the growing period. In winter, reduce water, but do not allow the plant to dry out.
Temperature: They prefer warmth and will cease growing below about 55ºF.
Soil: A loose, rich well-drained potting mix.
Fertilizer: Use a time-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season, or use liquid fertilizer with every feeding during the growing season. Reduce fertilizer during the winter.

Propagation:

They multiply easily from cuttings. Although they will root easily into water—and many people successfully root their pothos vines in water—they should be rooted into a rooting media, such as sphagnum moss discs. Roots that form in water are brittle and will not survive being transplanted. During rooting, do not expose new cuttings to direct sunlight. Rooting hormone usually isn't necessary, but it will increase the odds of success.

Repotting:

A well-grown golden pothos vine can easily overrun its container. They are also frequently planted on stakes or wood columns, so they can climb. If repotting is necessary, do it in spring, at the same time you take cuttings for new plants.

Grower's Tips:

These are excellent hanging plants, as they will rapidly form a cascade of brightly mottled yellow and green leaves and are not as fussy as many ferns. They can also be trained to climb wooden mounts or moss-covered sticks, although it's unlikely they will form the large, mottled and lobed leaves of their mature form. It's perfectly acceptable to cut back an unruly pothos vine. They are occasionally susceptible to scale insects, mealy bugs and mites.