Pothos Devil’s Ivy – Introduction

Without a doubt, the Pothos Devils Ivy is one of the World’s most popular indoor houseplants. This is no accident. It really has everything you could ever ask for from an indoor plant. Its low-maintenance and forgiving, not overly sensitive to occasional overwatering or underwatering. It can tolerate light levels from extremely dark to spots with some direct sun making it versatile. Its a fast grower and you can trim to make more bushy or let runners wrap around your whole space. It’s a good air purifier. Its inexpensive and a simple plant to propagate. Although it prefers higher humidity it will do just fine in most spaces, even if dry or fairly cool. So all in all, it couldn’t be a better beginners plant, but its more than that, it really is a plant for everyone. Because although common, it is also highly versatile so even if you’re looking for something special and unique there is so much that you can do with this plant that you can easily achieve some surprises with it! The Devils Ivy is definitely a plant that GIVES and will be rewarding to see grow and transform your space into a Jungle in no time!

Pothos Devil’s Ivy – Epipremnum aureum Lighting & Position

Epipremnum come from the humid forests of Solomon Islands, so they thrive in a warm and well lit position with good indirect light, within a few metres of a window is best. The non-variegated varieties will tolerate lower light conditions, but ensure they still recieve a minimum of 4-6 hours of indirect light. If your variegated epipremnum seems to be losing its markings, ie. reverting to all green – this is an indicator that it needs a brighter position. If your plant seems to be stretching, with longer stem sections between each leaf – this is another indicator that it does not have access to enough light.

Pothos Devil’s Ivy – Epipremnum aureum Plant Watering

It’s important to keep up a regular watering routine. In summer you want to keep the soil moist but not soggy. To monitor this, you can use your finger to poke into the top 5 cm of potting mix and feel the soil moisture level before watering. If it feels wet, let it dry out for longer. Over watering can lead to fungal issues or root rot. Try watering once a week, using just enough water to start to see some draining from the bottom of the pot. During winter, when the plant isn’t in an active growing phase you should reduce watering frequency.

As with all plants, drainage is essential. Ensure that whatever vessel your plant is in, there are sufficient holes in the bottom to allow excess water to freely drain from the pot and away from the plant’s roots.

Pothos Devil’s Ivy – Epipremnum aureum Humidity

Epipremnum aren’t as fussed as some of the other aroids in terms of humidity, but they will appreciate moderate humidity so if you notice your plant has brown, crisp edges you may want to try grouping some of your plants together, pop them on a pebble tray and If you want to go all out, buying a small humidifier online and placing that amongst your humidity loving plants can go a long way in providing the rainforest climate they will thrive in

N.b. misting with a spray bottle will only improve humidity temporarily, and if done excessively can lead to fungal issues. Misting should only be done occasionally and is most effective as part of your leaf cleaning routine (mist and then gently wipe leaves with a cloth to clear away dust from the leaf surface)

Pothos Devil’s Ivy – Epipremnum aureum Fertiliser

Feed with liquid fertiliser fortnightly over the warm, growing period and not at all over the cooler winter months.

We recommend using our Plant Food available here. 

Pothos Devil’s Ivy – Epipremnum aureum Extra Tips

Once a month you can wipe down the plants leaves using a damp cloth to clean away any dust that has collected and may be preventing the leaves from breathing. You can also prune off any damaged or dying leaves using a sharp pair of scissors or secateurs.

Your Epipremnum will grow well in a hanging basket with long trailing stems, however, if at any point you would like to see its much larger, mature leaves – you will have to give it some support to grow up and attach to. In their natural habitat, epiphytic plants like Epipremnum cling to the trunks and branches of larger rainforest trees and access nutrients and moisture using aerial roots. If kept in the home without support, most of these plants will remain in their juvenile form with smaller and sometimes simpler shaped leaves. If you create suitable support, such as a totem pole, along with the other necessary cultural conditions – your plant should not only grow quicker but also remain healthier and develop its mature form.

The simplest option is to provide a wooden or bamboo stake and tie your plant to this as it grows. The downside to this approach is that the plant is unlikely to self attach using its aerial roots as the stake surface is too dry and impenetrable. The best option is to create (or buy online) a totem pole wrapped in coconut coir (the more environmentally friendly alternative to sphagnum moss). When moistened – the coir provides a fibrous, moist and humid surface that encourages aerial root growth.

If you would like to buy a pre-made coir totem, simply search for a coir totem plant pole online and select a relevant retailer. If you would like to make your own this short video from a recent gardening australia episode will show you how: https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/indoor-plant-totem/9704530

Pothos Devil’s Ivy – Epipremnum aureum Plant Toxicity

N.b. this plant is toxic if ingested for both humans and animals so keep it away from kids or your furry friends!

How to propagate the Pothos Devil’s Ivy

As far as propagating goes Devil’s Ivy is one of the simpler species to propagate, generally with a good strike rate for success. There are multiple ways to propagate but the most common is to take a cutting below the node (usually a light brown knob protruding which is an aerial root). With this cutting place in a glass of water and after 2 weeks there should be signs of root growth coming from the aerial root. At this point you can either plant into soil or leave in water. Devil’s Ivy can grow in water. Alternatively, if you think the transition from water to soil is too risky you can plant your cutting straight into soil. A seed raising mix can be a good option as it provides a fine soil easy for root growth. Using a finger poke the soil to create a hole. Dip the cut tip into a propagating hormone powder and plant into the soil. You are likely to have better success rates in warmer months, avoid Winter unless you have a warm space with good light.

Pothos Devil’s Ivy in water

Devils Ivy is famous for being an easy care plant and this laid back nature extends below the water too, Devil’s Ivy is one os the easiest plants to grow in water. You can do this either by bare-rooting a potted plant, removing all soil, or starting from a cutting. Bare-rooting an existing plant can result in some shock in the first week of two as it settles into it’s new environment so don’t be too startled if it is looking a little sad initially. Use clean water. You can add a few drops of liquid fertiliser to help give it a kick. Clean it’s bowl/vase every few weeks. Adding a piece of charcoal into the water is believed to reduce bacteria so this could also be worthwhile, especially while propagating.