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Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape Epipremnum

Dennis B. McConnell, Jianjun Chen, Richard J. Henny, and Kelly C. Everitt

Epipremnum, a genus in the family Araceae, derives its name from a combination of two Greek words: epi meaning "on" and premnon meaning "trunk." This describes the genus and its 10 known species as tree-climbing vines. The only species commercially produced and used as an interiorscape plant is E. aureum, commonly called pothos or devil's ivy. This native of the Solomon Islands is one of the most common interiorscape plants. Millions of these plants have been grown and sold for use indoors during the last 80 years. Surprisingly, it was not until the 1960s that taxonomists finally decided this foliage favorite was a species in the Epipremnum genus. This plant had been previously classified as Pothos aureus, Scindapsus aureus, and Raphidophora aurea. What was the reason for all these name changes? Even in its native habitat pothos seldom flowers, and correct taxonomic classification was only possible when enough flowers were collected in Florida and Puerto Rico for detailed examination. In tropical settings pothos can grow to be large vines, climbing trees 50 feet tall and producing lobed, fenestrate leaves up to three feet in length. Plants used for interiorscapes have heart-shaped leaves that seldom exceed six inches in length. Their growth habit makes all these cultivars useful as totems, hanging baskets, ground covers, pedestal plants, dish gardens, and small desk plants. This article describes common Epipremnum species and cultivars in the foliage plant industry (See Table 1), provides guidelines on their culture and interior use, and lists physiological problems encountered in both production and in the interiorscape (See Table 3).

 

Figure 1. Commercial production of Epipremnum 'Marble Queen' in a shaded greenhouse.
Figure 1.  Commercial production of Epipremnum 'Marble Queen' in a shaded greenhouse.
Credit: Jianjun Chen, UF/IFAS

 

Cultural Guidelines

Propagation

The most common method used to propagate pothos is to make one to 1½-inch stem cuttings with a node and an attached leaf. Buds break in 2–3 weeks and rooting occurs in 3–4 weeks. If larger leafed cuttings are desired for totems, stock plants are grown on a pole or similar support and tip cuttings are used.

Production

Sphagnum peat, pine bark, vermiculite, or perlite can be volumetrically combined to formulate media for most container sizes. Three-foot and taller totems should have 10-20% coarse sand to keep plants from wind tipping. Media should have good moisture-holding capacity and aeration, soluble salts of 3–5 dS/m, and pH of 6.5 to 7.0.

Pothos should be grown in a shadehouse with temperature between 70 to 90°F and a relative humidity of 60 to 100%. Plant quality and growth rates begin to decline when day temperatures routinely exceed 95°F or night temperatures drop below 65°F. Controlled-release or water-soluble fertilizers, or a combination of both, can be used for pothos production. Use a fertilizer with an N:P:K ratio of 3:1:2 or 3:1:3. The suggested application rate is 5 lb N per 1,000 sq. ft per month. Table 2 provides a guide for determining if pothos are appropriately fertilized based on leaf analysis.

Pothos should be grown with levels of 63 to 80% shade (3250 to 2500 ft-c). Growth rate and color in the variegated cultivars decrease when shade levels are greater than 80% (2500 ft-c).

Shipping and Interior care

Pothos should be shipped at temperatures between 55°F and 65°F. Once plants are placed indoors, it is advisable not to re-pot or fertilize for about four weeks because plants do not need additional stresses. Plants should not be fertilized if soluble salts are 3.0 dS/m or more. If soluble salt levels are higher than 5.0 dS/m, percolation of media with water may help reduce potential leaf necrosis or damage to the root system. Media should be kept moist. In most interior locations pothos does better if grown "a little on the dry side." They will tolerate light levels as low as 50 fc but new leaves will be small and variegated cultivars will lose color. Light levels of 150 fc or more will maintain color and leaf size. Temperatures of 70°F to 80°F are recommended.

Tables

Table 1. 

A listing of E. aureum cultivars available in Florida as of 2002.

Cultivar or Common Name

Characteristics

'Golden Pothos'

Dark green leaves are freely but irregularly variegated with yellow and creamy white streaks, stripes, and splashes.

'Hawaiian Pothos'

Variegation patterns are similar to 'Golden Pothos' but with a more striking yellow color.

'Jade Pothos'

Leaves have no variegation. They are solid green.

'Marble Queen'

Leaves are marbled with white variegation only.

Table 2. 

Nutrient concentrations in Epipremnum leaves.

Nutrient

Low

Medium

High

Nitrogen (%)

<2.6

2.7–3.5

>3.5

Phosphorus (%)

<0.19

0.19–0.5

>0.5

Potassium (%)

<2.9

3.0–4.5

>4.5

Calcium (%)

<0.9

1.0–1.5

>1.5

Magnesium (%)

<0.29

0.30–0.60

>0.6

Sulfur (%)

<0.19

0.2–0.5

>0.5

Iron (ppm)

<49

50–300

>300

Manganese (ppm)

<35

50–300

>300

Zinc (ppm)

<19

20–200

>200

Copper (ppm)

<5

6–50

>50

Boron (ppm)

<19

20–50

>50

Table 3. 

Causes and effects of various physiological problems.

Symptoms

Cause

Treatment

Scattered brown patches in center of the leaf.

Exposure to 33°F–40°F for several hours or abrupt temperature changes.

Avoid low temperatures and abrupt temperature changes.

Older leaves turn yellow.

Potting media is either kept too dry or too wet.

Check moisture level of potting and change irrigation practices accordingly.

New leaves lack variegation and are smaller than older leaves upon maturation.

Production light levels are too low, plants may be magnesium deficient, or fertilizer rates are too low.

Increase production light levels. Apply magnesium nitrate spays. Use recommended fertilizer rates.

Burned, necrotic patches confined to the variegated areas.

High light or heat.

Remove plant from excessive heat or light into a more appropriate area. Leaves cannot recover.

 

Publication #ENH894

Release Date:November 21, 2018

Reviewed At:December 10, 2021

Related Experts

Chen, Jianjun

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Henny, Richard J "Jake"

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

McConnell, Dennis B

University of Florida

Fact Sheet
Commercial

About this Publication

This document is ENH894, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 2003. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Dennis B. McConnell, professor, Environmental Horticultural Department; Jianjun Chen, professor, Environmental Horticultural Department, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center; Richard J. Henny, professor, Environmental Horticultural Department, UF/IFAS MFREC; and Kelly C. Everitt, research assistant, UF/IFAS MFREC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Jianjun Chen