Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a very easy-to-grow foliage houseplant.

A common name is Devil’s Ivy.

It is a tropical vine native to the Solomon Islands.

The leaves are heart-shaped, smooth, shiny and fold inward along the mid-rib. They are three- to six-inches-long and less wide.

Depending on the cultivar, the leaves can vary from bright chartreuse to deep green and even variegated green and white.

Stems can reach eight to 10 feet or longer as a vine.

Pothos is an attractive choice if you are looking for a hanging plant or can be trimmed back within a few inches and kept short and bushy.

Place in an area with moderate to bright light and average room temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Avoid direct sun.

Under these conditions, it is a vigorous and fast-growing plant.

Direct sun will lead to the yellowing of leaves.

It can survive in low light conditions for some time but will eventually lose its desirable leaf qualities, the variegation or brightness of foliage, depending on the cultivar.

Leaves grow toward the light, so turn the container weekly.

Water when the soil is dry.

Too much water will lead to root rot, one of only a few problems with this plant.

Too little water may lead to leaves temporarily drooping.

Pothos is better kept too dry than too wet.

For best growth, fertilize with a balanced houseplant food monthly through the winter and every two weeks throughout the rest of the year.

Trim as needed by shortening a vining stem with sharp scissors, just above a node, at any point along its length or by removing the entire length, leaving a two-inch stub.

Pot up annually in the spring into a slightly larger container.

Use a good quality soilless potting mix that drains well.

If the plant is large and you wish to keep it in the same container, it will still benefit from repotting.

Remove the plant from the container, trim some roots and cut up to one-third of the length of the vining stems.

Provide some new soil, and don’t overwater.

Excess water upon repotting adds additional stress to the plant.

Pothos is a long-lived plant.

Propagation through stem cuttings is more successful during the growing season from spring through summer.

Propagate through root division during its annual reporting.

Pothos has aerial roots at the node, so propagation through layering can also be successful.

One downside is that all parts of pothos are poisonous (yet non-lethal) to humans and pets.

The roots, stems, and leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals, irritants to the skin and oral and digestive tracts.

Pothos is sometimes mistaken for the vining heartleaf philodendron.

One distinguishing feature is that the petioles of pothos have a groove, especially noticeable where they seem to “grasp” the stem.

Another is that newly emerging philodendron leaves have a protective sheath that will eventually dry, turn brown, and drop off.

Pothos leaves emerge cleanly along the stem.

Interestingly, no hybrids exist because it rarely flowers, even in its native habitat.

Pothos is a very reliable, easy-to-tend plant.

Provide it with bright indirect light, water it when dry, and fertilize it occasionally.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613