Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea Overview
Origins and Habitat
Epipremnum pinnatum aurea, also known as Devil’s Ivy or Golden Pothos, is an eye-catching houseplant originally from the Society Islands’ tropical rainforests. This versatile plant has quickly become popular among houseplant lovers due to its visual appeal and adaptability to various environments. You may often see it climbing on trees in its native habitat or as a decorative indoor item.
Appearance
The Epipremnum pinnatum aurea is an attractive plant with visually striking characteristics. Its leaves are heart-shaped and transition from a glossy green as they mature, to a vibrant yellow or golden hue when exposed to sunlight. The plant showcases long trailing stems that give it a dynamic and captivating appearance. Epipremnum pinnatum aurea has a climbing habit, making it an excellent option for both indoor and outdoor decorative settings.
Care Requirements
Golden Pothos is known for its simplicity in care, making it a suitable choice for those new to keeping houseplants. Here are some essential tips for its care:
- Light: Epipremnum pinnatum aurea thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can cause leaf scorching.
- Water: The plant requires moderate watering, with the soil allowed to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Temperature: This tropical plant prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 65-85°F (18-29°C).
- Humidity: Although it can adapt to various humidity levels, Epipremnum pinnatum aurea benefits from a humid environment, making it perfect for kitchens or bathrooms.
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
- Pruning and support: Regular pruning can encourage bushier growth, and providing support or trellises can help the plant climb and thrive.
By following these simple guidelines, anyone can create a welcoming and attractive environment for the Epipremnum pinnatum aurea to flourish. Whether you are an experienced houseplant enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of indoor gardening, this striking plant is an ideal addition to your home decor.
Golden Pothos Overview
Origins and Habitat
Golden Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy or Epipremnum aureum, is a popular houseplant in North America. This versatile plant originates from the jungles of Southeast Asia, where it can be found climbing up trees and covering the forest floor. In its natural habitat, Golden Pothos thrives in the warm, humid environment of the tropical rainforest source.
Appearance
The defining characteristic of Golden Pothos is its heart-shaped leaves. These leaves are glossy and green, with striking yellow or white variegation. As a vine, this plant has the ability to climb and spread, reaching up to 20-40 feet in length and 3-6 feet in width at its maximum growth source. However, when cultivated indoors as a houseplant, it generally remains much smaller and more compact.
Care Requirements
Caring for a Golden Pothos plant is relatively easy, making it an ideal choice for both seasoned and novice plant owners. Here are some key aspects to consider:
- Light: Golden Pothos prefers bright, indirect light, but it can tolerate lower light conditions. In low light, the plant may lose some of its variegation but will still continue to grow source.
- Temperature: Room temperature is perfect for this plant. It is sensitive to drafts and cold temperatures, so try to maintain a consistent warmth for optimal growth.
- Watering: Golden Pothos likes its soil to remain slightly moist, but not too wet. Give it a thorough watering, then allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again source.
- Fertilizing: Feed your Golden Pothos with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. In the winter, reduce feeding frequency to once every 8-10 weeks.
- Pruning: Prune your plant occasionally to promote bushier growth and maintain a manageable size.
Golden Pothos’ adaptability and low-maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a bit of greenery to their indoor spaces.
Comparing Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea and Golden Pothos
Similarities
Both Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea and Golden Pothos are popular houseplants known for their attractive foliage and climbing growth habits. They belong to the Epipremnum genus and are well-suited for indoor environments. These plants are easy to care for, require minimal attention, and can thrive in various light conditions.
Differences
Leaf Appearance
Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea features narrower leaves with a more elongated shape compared to Golden Pothos. The leaves of the Pinnatum Aurea also exhibit a lighter green-yellow color, whereas the Golden Pothos has heart-shaped green leaves with yellow variegation.
Growth Habit
While both plants are climbers, Golden Pothos tends to have larger leaves and grows more upright. In contrast, Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea often grows more horizontally with smaller leaves.
Stems and Roots
Golden Pothos has thicker stems and aerial roots that help it climb, while the Pinnatum Aurea exhibits thinner stems and smaller adventitious roots. This distinction becomes more apparent as the plants mature, giving each a unique appearance.
Low Light Tolerance
Golden Pothos is particularly well-known for its excellent low-light tolerance. Its variegated leaves retain their bright yellow coloration even when grown in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Although Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea can also grow in low light, it may exhibit less vibrant colors compared to Golden Pothos.
Choosing the Right Plant for You
Growth Preferences
When deciding between Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea and Golden Pothos, it’s essential to consider their growth preferences. Epipremnum Pinnatum tends to be a more vigorous grower with a faster growth rate compared to Golden Pothos, which is known for its trailing or vining growth habit source.
Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea’s leaf shape is ovate to ovate/lanceolate and thicker, while Golden Pothos has lanceolate to elliptic leaves that are thinner source. The netted sheath, a characteristic feature of Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea, is absent in Golden Pothos.
Suitable Environments
Both plants are low-maintenance options, making them excellent choices for novice and experienced gardeners alike. As houseplants, they thrive in various environments and can adapt to different light conditions. It’s crucial to understand their specific environmental preferences to ensure they grow and flourish.
Epipremnum Pinnatum Aurea prefers a more humid environment, while the Golden Pothos can tolerate a wider range of humidity levels source. Golden Pothos, native to French Polynesia, has heart-shaped leaves with a golden-yellow variegation, making it visually appealing source.
In terms of light requirements, both plants can adapt to low, medium, or bright indirect light, with variegated varieties requiring brighter light to maintain their colorful patterns. Furthermore, both plants can be grown as trailing or climbing vines or as groundcovers, depending on the gardener’s preference and available space source.
Considering these factors, choosing the right plant for you ultimately depends on your specific needs, aesthetic preferences, and growing conditions available in your space.
Common Issues and Solutions
Pest Problems
Epipremnum pinnatum aurea and golden pothos can sometimes experience infestations by pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. To effectively deal with these pest issues:
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil as a natural solution to combat the pests.
- Inspect the plants regularly for early signs of infestation.
- Remove any affected leaves or stems to prevent the spread of pests to other parts of the plant.
Disease Prevention
One of the most common issues that both Epipremnum pinnatum aurea and golden pothos face is root rot, which is typically caused by overwatering. To prevent root rot and other diseases:
- Make sure the plants are in well-draining potting soil, as they prefer soil that can be on the dry side or even rocky.
- Water the plants only when the soil is dry, allowing the medium to dry out between watering.
- Maintain a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH level, ranging from 6.1 to 6.8, as it is optimal for pothos plants.
Another issue that can arise is discoloration of the leaf margins or tips, caused by overwatering, inadequate watering, or excess fertilizer. To address this problem:
- Adjust the watering frequency, either by increasing or decreasing it, depending on the plant’s requirements.
- Ensure a proper balance of nutrients by applying fertilizer in moderation, as per the recommended dosage.
By following these preventive measures and solutions, you can effectively reduce the risk of pest infestations and diseases while maintaining the health of your Epipremnum pinnatum aurea and golden pothos plants.
Propagation Techniques
Epipremnum pinnatum aurea and golden pothos are both popular houseplants that can be easily propagated using similar methods. The two main techniques for propagating these plants are through water and soil propagation.
Water Propagation
Water propagation is considered the easiest method for both Epipremnum pinnatum aurea and golden pothos. To begin, take a healthy cutting with at least one or two leaves and a node. Place the cutting in a vase or glass, ensuring that the node is submerged in water. Keep the container in a well-lit spot, but avoid direct sunlight, which can cause algae growth. Check the water regularly and replace it if it becomes cloudy or dirty. In a few weeks, the cutting should develop roots and can be transferred to a pot with soil.
Soil Propagation
For soil propagation, start by preparing a pot with well-draining soil. Take a cutting with a healthy root node and position it in the soil with the node about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface. Gently fill in the hole with soil, and water it immediately to ensure the top inch of soil is wet. Keep the cutting in a brightly lit area, but not in direct sunlight. Maintain the moisture level in the soil during the initial weeks, and the cutting should establish roots and grow new leaves.
Both Epipremnum pinnatum aurea and golden pothos benefit from regular pruning and proper care. When propagating either of these plants, patience is essential, as it can take several weeks for roots to develop. Regardless of the method used, monitor the progress closely and provide the necessary care to ensure healthy growth.
Helpful Video
My name is Daniel Elrod, and I have been houseplant love ever since I was 17. I love how much joy they bring to any room in the home. I’ve always been amazed at how a few pots of flowing leaves can turn a drab and sterile office into an inviting place where people love to work at.