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Houseplant

Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) growing in a UK garden

A vigorous trailing houseplant with heart-shaped, glossy leaves often splashed with gold or cream variegation. Also known as devil's ivy, pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow in UK homes and thrives in a wide range of indoor conditions. Its trailing stems can reach several metres, making it ideal for shelves, hanging baskets, or training up a support. Extremely tolerant of neglect.

How to grow pothos

Place in bright indirect light for the best variegation, though pothos tolerates low light well. In deep shade, golden and white variegation fades to plain green. Water when the top 3 cm of compost dries out. Pothos is forgiving of missed waterings but dislikes sitting in soggy compost. Use a standard peat-free houseplant mix with added perlite for drainage. Feed monthly from April to September with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Pinch out growing tips regularly to encourage bushier growth rather than long, bare stems. Trailing stems root easily in water, making propagation straightforward. Repot every two years in spring. Pothos is toxic to cats and dogs, so hang it out of reach of pets. Clean the leaves with a damp cloth monthly.

Pruning

Trim back leggy or bare stems at any time of year, cutting just above a leaf node. The plant responds well to pruning and will branch from below the cut. Use the trimmed sections as cuttings to propagate new plants.

Propagation

  • Stem cuttings in water
  • Stem cuttings in compost

Common problems

  • Yellow leaves from overwatering
  • Loss of variegation in low light
  • Root rot in waterlogged compost
  • Brown leaf edges from dry air

Good companions

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