Houseplant for Brown Thumbs

My husband and I have kept several houseplants alive for over 30 years. The plants grow as vines that resemble philodendrons, and are called Pothos (or Devil’s Ivy). He purchased several starter plants to brighten up his college dorm room. After we married, the plants stayed with us through multiple moves, our son and his friends, busy schedules, and different seasons of life. The plants continue to thrive, despite periods of neglect. Now I typically water every two to four weeks depending on the season; fertilize once a month; and give the plants an outdoor “spa” break when the San Francisco Bay Area weather turns warm in August and September.

Pothos vines, here cropped short, catch light and
shadow, and add some life to the room.

I’ve propagated many starter plants from the originals – by placing cuttings in water until they root, then planting them in potting soil. One of these starter plants is on my desk at work, which is a nice reminder of home while I’m away. Others have ended up on co-worker’s desks. I typically keep the vines pruned short to encourage a full, bushy look, but many people like to train the vine along a wall or window. The vines also do well in a hanging basket. Either way, it is a pleasure to grow a living plant in the home or office.

Epipremnum aureum is in the Araceae family and originates in tropical Southeast Asia. This small genus of climbing vines does well in bright to low light, and grows up to 40 feet long in nature. The soil should dry out between waterings, and, according to Taylor’s Guide to Houseplants, should only be fertilized two or three times a year. The leaves are ovate-cordate with petioles, glossy, bright green, and irregularly splotched in yellow or white. Flowers are produced in a spade (though ours have never flowered). Aerial roots cling to surfaces and provide stability. The plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and children, and may become invasive if introduced into the wild in a non-native environment. Despite these hazards, they are an excellent houseplant in many situations