Care Guide
Epipremnum
The pothos, or devil's ivy: a small genus of easy-to-grow climbing aroids (members of the arum family, Araceae) from tropical and subtropical Asia to the Pacific. Nearly everything sold as pothos is one species and its many color forms. This guide covers the genus; the standout cultivars (named varieties) get their own cards, and our pothos care guide goes deeper on the golden pothos.
Care at a glance
Origin & history
One easy species, many forms. Epipremnum is a small genus of about 15 climbing aroids native to tropical and subtropical Asia and the Pacific (Plants of the World Online, n.d.). Almost every pothos in cultivation is one species, Epipremnum aureum, the golden pothos, along with its many color selections (McConnell et al., 2003). In the wild it climbs trees, and its leaves grow large, lobed and holed as it climbs (McConnell et al., 2003).
Indoors it rarely gets the chance, so it usually keeps its small, heart-shaped juvenile leaves, which suit a shelf or a hanging pot (North Carolina State Extension, n.d.-a). Give it something to climb and enough light, and it begins to make large, mature leaves (North Carolina State Extension, n.d.-a).
Satin pothos isn't a pothos. The silver-speckled “satin pothos” isn't a true pothos at all; it's a Scindapsus, a separate genus that is less tolerant of overwatering (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.). The cultivars on the cards below are true pothos: five are sold as forms of Epipremnum aureum, and one, 'Cebu Blue', is E. pinnatum.
Care in depth
Light and warmth. Pothos tolerates low light and can get by in it for long periods (North Carolina State Extension, n.d.-a). In dim light, though, new leaves come in small and variegated cultivars lose color; bright, indirect light keeps both (McConnell et al., 2003). The heavily variegated forms need that brighter light most (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.). Keep direct sun off the leaves, especially in summer, because it can scorch them (Royal Horticultural Society, n.d.). Aim for 65–86°F (18–30°C), though Clemson Cooperative Extension allows nights down to 60°F (16°C); either way, keep it out of cold drafts and away from radiators (Royal Horticultural Society, n.d.; Taylor & Tanner, n.d.).
Water and humidity. In most interior locations, pothos does better grown “a little on the dry side” (McConnell et al., 2003). Water once the mix is nearly dry (Royal Horticultural Society, n.d.); Clemson Cooperative Extension lets it dry completely (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.). Then water thoroughly so it reaches all the roots (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.). Soggy mix brings trouble: it can rot the roots, and yellow leaves often mean overwatering (Royal Horticultural Society, n.d.; Taylor & Tanner, n.d.). When in doubt, wait a day. Average home humidity is fine, though it prefers 50–70%, and a humidifier helps (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.).
Substrate, support and feeding. An airy, well-draining mix suits it, in a pot with drainage (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.). For an open, slightly acidic blend, mix three parts peat-free acidic potting mix with one part grit and one part orchid bark (Royal Horticultural Society, n.d.). Let it trail from a shelf or train it up a moss pole; a climbing plant with good light makes larger, mature leaves (Royal Horticultural Society, n.d.; North Carolina State Extension, n.d.-a). Feed with a houseplant fertilizer every other month in spring and summer (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.).
If a marbled or golden pothos starts pushing out plainer, greener leaves, too little light can be the cause (North Carolina State Extension, n.d.-a). Bright light keeps the variegation on new leaves (McConnell et al., 2003). In commercial production, UF/IFAS also links plain new leaves to a lack of magnesium or too little fertilizer (McConnell et al., 2003). Some cultivars hold their color anyway: 'UFM12', sold as Pearls and Jade, kept it for three months in dim interior light (Henny et al., 2011).
Common problems & pests
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing leaves | Overwatering or low fertility | Let it dry more and check drainage; if the watering is right, feed every other month in spring and summer. |
| Brown, crisp tips | Low humidity or intense light; letting the mix dry out too long also browns tips | Raise humidity, keep the light bright but indirect, and water on a steadier rhythm. |
| New leaves greener, less marked | Too little light | Move it somewhere brighter, out of direct sun. |
| Leggy, long gaps on the stem | Low light | Brighter light; cut long stems back to just above a leaf to make it bushier. |
| Cottony tufts or small, shell-like bumps | Mealybugs or scale insects | For mealybugs, follow our Field Manual's mealybug guide. Scrape scale off by hand; horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are also options for it. |
In this genus
Each plant inherits the genus care above; the note is only what differs.
Epipremnum aureum 'Golden'
The classic golden pothos: green leaves with bright yellow variegation, and one of the most common in nurseries.
E. aureum 'Marble Queen'
Striking white or cream variegation; it needs more light than other cultivars to hold the pattern.
E. aureum 'Neon'
Bright chartreuse leaves with no variegation; it tolerates lower light.
E. aureum 'UFM12' (trade name Pearls and Jade)
A compact University of Florida release, bred by irradiating 'Marble Queen' cuttings, with small leaves patched white, gray and green. It needs lots of light to keep its strongest coloring.
E. aureum 'NJOY'
A separate patented selection from 'Marble Queen' stock: very compact, with small, broad leaves in bright, sharply divided green and white.
Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'
A different species: slender, silvery-blue leaves that usually keep their juvenile form, but become holed when it grows on a stake or moss pole.
Every part of a pothos is poisonous; the main toxin is insoluble calcium oxalate (Khamare & Marble, 2023). Symptoms of pothos poisoning include mouth irritation, pain and swelling, vomiting, trouble swallowing, skin irritation and diarrhea (Khamare & Marble, 2023). US Poison Control also lists pothos as poisonous (National Capital Poison Center, n.d.). Sap in the eye has caused problems in published medical cases (Chong et al., 2022). Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is toxic to dogs and cats, with intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, heavy drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing (ASPCA, n.d.). Wear gloves when handling or pruning it, since the sap can irritate skin (Royal Horticultural Society, n.d.). Keep it away from children and pets. If a person eats any of it, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 in the US or use its online tool for expert help (National Capital Poison Center, n.d.). If you think a pet has eaten any, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center as soon as you suspect it, without waiting for symptoms (ASPCA, n.d.).
ASPCA. (n.d.). Golden pothos. Toxic and non-toxic plants. Retrieved October 13, 2026. aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/golden-pothos
Chong, S. H., Ch'ng, T. W., & Mustapha, M. (2022). Dieffenbachia-induced transient crystalline keratopathy: A case report and review of previously reported cases. Cureus, 14(1), e21146. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.21146
Hahn, J., & Weisenhorn, J. (2026). Insects on indoor plants. University of Minnesota Extension. Retrieved October 13, 2026. extension.umn.edu/product-and-houseplant-pests/insects-indoor-plants
Hansoti, A. (2009). Epipremnum plant named 'NJOY' (U.S. Plant Patent No. 19,965). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved October 13, 2026. patents.google.com/patent/USPP19965P2/en
Henny, R. J., & Chen, J. (2010). Epipremnum plant named 'UFM12' (U.S. Plant Patent No. 21,217). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved October 13, 2026. patents.google.com/patent/USPP21217P2/en
Henny, R. J., Chen, J., & Mellich, T. A. (2011). New Florida foliage plant cultivar: Pothos 'Pearls and Jade' (ENH1180/EP441). UF/IFAS Extension. Retrieved October 13, 2026. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP441
Khamare, Y., & Marble, C. (2023). Common poisonous houseplant species in Florida (ENH1375/EP639). UF/IFAS Extension. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-EP639-2023
McConnell, D. B., Chen, J., Henny, R. J., & Everitt, K. C. (2003). Cultural guidelines for commercial production of interiorscape Epipremnum (ENH894/EP151). UF/IFAS Extension. Retrieved October 13, 2026. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP151
National Capital Poison Center. (n.d.). Poisonous and non-poisonous plants: An illustrated list. Poison Control. Retrieved October 13, 2026. poison.org/articles/plant
North Carolina State Extension. (n.d.-a). Epipremnum aureum. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved October 13, 2026. plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/epipremnum-aureum
North Carolina State Extension. (n.d.-b). Epipremnum pinnatum. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved October 13, 2026. plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/epipremnum-pinnatum
Plants of the World Online. (n.d.). Epipremnum Schott. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved October 13, 2026. powo.science.kew.org
Royal Horticultural Society. (n.d.). Epipremnum: Growing guide. Retrieved October 13, 2026. rhs.org.uk/plants/epipremnum/growing-guide
Steil, A. (2026). Why does my houseplant have brown leaf tips and edges? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Retrieved October 13, 2026. yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/why-does-my-houseplant-have-brown-leaf-tips-and-edges
Taylor, A., & Tanner, C. (n.d.). How to grow pothos indoors (Epipremnum spp.): Care, cultivars, and common problems (HGIC 1568). Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Retrieved October 13, 2026. hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/how-to-grow-pothos-indoors-epipremnum-spp-care-cultivars-and-common-problems
Our genus care and range come from botanical and horticultural references; the cards carry the cultivar details. Cultivar notes follow the University of Florida release and plant patents (Henny et al., 2011; Henny & Chen, 2010; Hansoti, 2009) and extension cultivar lists (Taylor & Tanner, n.d.; North Carolina State Extension, n.d.-b). Pest and problem notes also draw on general houseplant guidance (Hahn & Weisenhorn, 2026; Steil, 2026).