Pothos Versatility Makes it the #1 Houseplant
Question: What is the #1 indoor plant? Spathiphyllium – Corn Plant – Palms?
Megan, Hope, Arkansasl
Answer: I have to vote for the – Epipremnum aureum – commonly known as pothos. The pothos comes in a few different flavors:
Why is it the NUMERO UNO? – Versatility
It can be used as:
- Single stand alone potted plant on a desk or credenza
- Planted in mass as a ground cover
- Grown up a totem pole as an upright plant
- Hanging basket
- Planted with other plants in small gardens
- Covering on large trees or palm trunks
- Underplanting "garnish" for large potted plants or trees
Not only does the pothos have many uses but pothos can handle a wide variety of indoor conditions that rival some of the best indoors plants.
Conditions like cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and lower light levels. In south Florida you’ll even find the pothos growing in full sun.
Over the course of the year the average professional plantscaper uses more pothos than any other plant.
Conditions for Success with Pothos
Pothos does have some conditions that must be monitored for success. The number one area to watch is the root system. Pothos doesn’t like wet feet.
The pothos does not have a deep root system and it can very easily be kept with too much water in the soil. Under lower light levels and cooler temperatures the soil should be allowed to dry about half way down. Try not to soak the soil but water lightly around the entire pot.
Pothos are grown from leaf-eye cuttings. Especially with the golden pothos growers try to select cuttings from plants that have a high marbling of yellow and green. The higher the light the brighter the yellows.
The average 6 or 8 inch pot can have 15 to 35 cuttings, with each one producing a new plant. With that many plants making up one pot you can see how important it is to not over water these plants.
If you find plants that are "underrooted", make sure that the pot does not sit in water. Drain the excess water off. Keep the plant on the dry side.
Before you buy a pothos, pop it out of the pot, and look at the roots. You should see a healthy root system that looks full and active.
Plants that are over-watered have mushy roots and rotted stems which pull out of the pot easily.
Pothos Pruning
During the year as your pothos grows you’ll need to prune it back. Be selective and trim the vine back to 2 inches from the soil line. This will help promote new growth and make the plant fuller.
Don’t stick the cuttings back in the container. If you want to try your hand at starting the plant from cuttings, place the cuttings in a different pot and keep the pot small.
The most common pest on the pothos is the mealy bug. It’s that cotton like stuff you see normally on the undersides of the leaves. You can try to remove them manually, or use alcohol and a cotton swab, or try some of the insecticidal soaps (make sure you read the label)
The keys to success in growing pothos the #1 indoor plant is simple. Look for a plant that is well rooted, free of any insects or disease and easy on the water.
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