Yard Doc: Pothos is a plant best cultivated indoors
Q: Found an interesting plant, it is a ground cover growing mostly under and up one of my trees. The leaves are about 2 to 3 inches in size. I need help identifying this one.
-- Terry, Stuart
A: Yes, an interesting plant indeed. This plant known most often to gardeners and house plant enthusiast as Devil’s Ivy, Marble Queen, and Pothos has been known by several scientific names. Pothos was one of the first names given to the plant. I learned this foliage plant staple by the name Scindapsus aureus as a college student. Currently, it seems the accepted scientific name is Epipremnum aureum.
Native to the Solomon Islands in the south Pacific and nearby northern Australia and Indonesia, Pothos is an evergreen climbing vine, a liana, or groundcover. It is very common in tropical and sub-tropical locations and grows with abandon in these warm locations. Pothos is also easily grown indoors in hanging baskets or used in potted arrangements.
Most people are familiar with the small leaves which are 2 – 4 inches across. This is the juvenile stage of the plant and most often seen when grown as a houseplant. Older established plants with ample water and light will form adult-stage large leaves which are very large, heart-shaped and divided into blunt sections almost to the midrib. The vines will become rugged with almost woody stems. Aerial roots will attach themselves to anything vertical, including trees, fences, and textured walls. Adult forms of Pothos occur often on the Treasure Coast and are marked by 2- to 4-foot-wide, leaves growing up palms and trees.
As houseplants, Pothos tolerate low light as well as bright light conditions. They are drought tolerant, but look best when grown in good potting soil with ample drainage and regular applications of water. A very common variety grown as interior foliage plants is Golden Pothos which has beautiful bright green leaves with deep yellow and gold variegation.
This plant has been and still is a staple of the foliage industry here in Florida. It is grown in pots, hanging baskets, and on totem poles. Used as a house plant ONLY, it is a fine addition to any interior planting.
Unfortunately, Pothos has been planted in the south Florida landscape where it has escaped cultivation. You can regularly find it growing up trees, including native trees where the mature form leaves strangle and eventually kill the trees. It is also on the FLEPPC (Florida Invasive Pest Plant Council) Category 2 list of invasive-exotic plants. It is best to remove Pothos from the Florida landscape and keep it only in a container.
Carol Cloud Bailey is a landscape counselor and horticulturist. Send questions to email@example.com or visit www.yard-doc.com for more information.