In the world of plants, the Pothos are one very famous variety, known for their extreme garden-friendly qualities. Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow.
They are very low maintenance but come without any compromises in the display. They make the perfect indoor plants for busy but hearty garden enthusiasts!
Pothos is a tropical forest plant and prefers a cool climate. The requirements for the growth of a Pothos are well-favored by most houses as well.
These plants are vine-like and they can hang down or even climb up on other plants and structures. They have bright and waxy leaves. A variety of Pothos exist and their leaves which are often variegated combine of various shades of green, white and cream.
The leaves are usually heart-shaped and the plant usually has no flowers or fruits, with some exceptions in the species.
The very well known – Manjula Pothos, is also one among these climbing Pothos plants.
FACT: Pothos are also called the ‘devil’s eye’, because of its low maintenance nature and the fact that it stays alive even without light for long enough and in the most carelessly tamed environment as well. It is almost impossible to kill, thus, the name.
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Manjula Pothos
This variety is a very well-known one when it comes to variegated leaves. Scientifically named – Epipremnum ‘Manjula’, is another variety of the low maintenance Pothos family.
Features: This climbing variety has wide and heart-shaped leaves.
The leaves are variegated and have hues of green, light green, silver, white and cream.
Every leaf appears to have its special display. Some might be greener compared to others, whereas some might be more on the whiter side. The leaves have speckles, spots and blobs of colors on them, making them appear extraordinary.
This specific variety of the Pothos does not have marked borders between the separate variegated areas and that’s why the colors coincide as well.
The leaf of the Manjula Pothos has a slight wave at the edge and tends to curl up, whereas the other varieties have a flatter edge. This is the major difference between the Manjula and the other Pothos species.
This species was brought up in a laboratory of the University of Florida.
Just like the other Pothos plants, the Manjula is also poisonous on consumption. It isn’t fatal but can cause irritation, swelling and discomfort on the lips and skin upon being touched. It can also make you puke if ingested. For this reason, the plant must be kept away from dogs and the reach of children.
Tips on taking care of the Manjula Pothos: Just like all the other plants in this category, the Manjula is also very easy to grow and care for.
As these plants can grow even without constant attention and tending, they become very feasible to keep indoors, even by ones who do not have either a green thumb or a lot of time to devote to gardening.
The best place to keep the Manjula is along the window side with low material drapes to ensure that the plant isn’t exposed to direct sunlight. A medium to shady spot is best for it. Too much sunlight can be harmful to the plant’s foliage.
It can degrade the display of the leaves because too much sunlight can reduce the variegation which it is most known for.
When it comes to watering the plant, this does not need extreme hydration. It is advisable to keep the soil wet at all times, but be mindful to not let it be soaking wet or overflowing.
Let the soil dry out from the previous watering before adding in more. The fleshy leaves can also make do without regular watering.
Fertilizing the plant in regular monthly intervals also help in its better and faster growth along with maintenance.
Insect and pest infestation must be checked for as well. Misting the plant is unnecessary as it doesn’t require too much moisture. Misting must be avoided as it may give rise to the spread of microbes.
Plant life: The duration of this plant is on an average 5-10 years. The environment if generally kept ideal, the vine will live up to its mentioned age.
Its ease of maintaining and rapid growth makes it one of the best indoor plants to grow in pots. They can be potted on the ground and can be allowed to climb around the neighboring plants, or it might even be added to the hanging garden collection to let it hang down and add to embellishing the room.
More about Pothos
Pothos are also commonly known as – Golden Pothos, Marble Queen, Money plant, Silver vine, Devil’s vine, etc.
They are often mistaken for Philodendrons but are an entirely different plant species. In India, Pothos are called – Money plants and hold symbolical importance in Vastu Shastra as well. They are said to be lucky and attract wealth and success in the household.
Pothos can generally reach a 2-meter height even in households if kept under proper conditions.
The plants can grow from the cuttings of another plant. They are often even grown in water, with the water being changed every 2 to 3 days as an ideal setting. The roots are aerial.
Uses:
– These plants are mainly used as indoor plants for decoration and display. They’re placed in houses, malls, stores, restaurants, etc.
They are incredibly easy to grow and do not require excess care but are very leafy and with shiny and variegated foliage, making it even more attractive. They take up a considerably profitable amount in the interior design industry.
– Pothos are generally associated with positive energy, productivity, wealth, good luck, positive energy and improved mental health. They have special mentions in Vastu Shastra as well which glorifies its presence in the household.
– Pothos plants as proved by various scientific researches tend to remove toxins from the environment.
It has the ability to cleanse the air from pollutants like benzene, toluene, carbon monoxide, xylene, etc. Thus, these plants when kept at home purify the air and clear it from various toxins.
– Pothos is also said to increase the amount of humidity in its surrounding environment. Increased humidity in the atmosphere is considered to be beneficial as it doesn’t let viruses and other cold-causing microbes to easily be transmitted.
This also keeps skin moist and hydrated and is thus perfect to be kept in your bedrooms.
– Also making its way into Feng Shui, these plants are observed to have a calming effect on the mind when touched.
How to grow a Pothos?
As easy as is maintaining a Pothos, so is growing one in the first place. The plant grows from stem cuttings.
The tiny nodes on the stems right under the leaves are the key to growing a new Pothos plant. The roots for a new plant begin from these nodes on the stems.
A 4 – 6-inch stem which is green and healthy looking must be selected for the cutting. It is ideal if the cutting consists of more than 4 leaves.
To begin with, the propagation of the plant, the bottom-most leaf, must be removed.
Most common way of growing a Pothos is to put the stem cutting in a glass jar filled with water. Then it must be provided with enough sunlight but not directly. With proper care, the plant will start to grow roots within a month.
As soon as healthy roots start to appear the Pothos must be transferred into the soil and grown in suitable conditions.
The more time the plant stays in the water, the more difficult it gets for the plant to adapt to the soil. Thus, it is better to transfer the plant into a pot with soil as soon as it begins to root.
Another method that can be implied to grow this vine is by dipping the stem cutting in a Rooting Hormone solution first, and then they are to be transferred in a setting of half moss and half soil to propagate further root growth. Within a month, roots would develop.
In a period of 2 – 3 months the Pothos would be perfectly ready.
Further taking care of the plant is also important to ensure good growth and fresh green leaves along with proper variegation in the foliage. It must be fertilized every month and should be kept away from pests and insects.
Regular pruning also helps to keep the plant healthy and free from dying or dead leaves in order to maintain its attractive display at homes.
Varieties of Pothos plants:
– Golden Pothos: This is the traditional and most common variety in the Pothos variety. The leaves of this specific plant are heart-shaped and green with variegation of gold and cream shades.
The foliage of the Golden Pothos can grow very wide and long when planted outdoors and provided with good care, sufficient sunlight and proper temperature.
– Jessenia Pothos: This variation in the species of the Pothos has comparatively greener leaves with a greenish-yellow shade. Each leaf is heart-shaped and has a unique appearance. It grows slower in comparison to the Golden Pothos.
– Manjula Pothos: As mention above, this variety has a cream and silver variegation along with green, waxy heart-shaped leaves.
They are majorly distinguished from the rest of the Pothos species by their wavy leaf margins which curl up, unlike the other with a flatter leaf edge. This variety is also commonly termed as the Money plant.
– Marble Queen Pothos: These leaves are heavily speckled with creamy white color among the lush green. Leaf sizes vary, but they might even grow as big as the Golden Pothos leaves.
– Neon Pothos: As the name suggests, this Pothos has bright yellowish-green foliage. The fluorescent color makes it one among the most distinguished and attractive type of Pothos.
The heart-shaped leaves have no variegation and are of a bright chartreuse shade. Newer leaves are brighter in color and get dull with time. Bright light is best for this variety to maintain the catchy shade of the foliage.
– Cebu Blue: This is yet another differentiated kind of Pothos. Unlike the other Pothos, this plant has long arrow-shaped leaves.
The foliage is not variegated and is a darker shade of green with a glossy appearance. The general hue is often bluish-green on this one. This one kind requires comparatively more time to grow and mature into a fine vine.
– Satin Pothos: The Satin Pothos as the name suggests has a shiny matte display. The foliage is heart-shaped and is green with silver splotches and borders on the leaf edge. The silver forms unique designs on the green.
It is also known as – Silver vine, Silk Pothos, etc. Its Latin name confers to it a beautiful meaning. In Latin the plant is named – Scindapsus pictus argyraeus, this relates to the variegation which looks like it is a painting on the leaf with the silver shade.
– Pearls and Jade Pothos: This Pothos is one of the slowly growing ones. The foliage is green and abundantly spotted with cream-colored speckles.
The leaves are one to two inches in length and an inch or so in width. This kind of Pothos is also smaller in comparison. It may grow up to 12 inches. This is basically another variety of the Marble Queen Pothos. Also, like the other varieties, it grows better in partial light and shade.
– N-Joy Pothos: A considerable newer variety in the world of Pothos, this one looks very different than the other varieties.
The variegated leaves are more on the whiter side. Thee mottled white usually arises from longer and more intense exposure to sunlight. It must be kept near a light source as that is where it gains its distinct white color from. The N-Joy Pothos also has a slower pace of growth.
With all the variant types of Pothos and enough information about their growth, care and benefits, these are the ideal interior plants to add to your homes today.
The shiny variegated vines would make a great addition to your indoor garden and also provide you with fresher and better air. Best of all, the low-effort management of the Pothos is the one you can opt for to ensure less time consuming and care-free green.Everything you idealize in a plant is made simple and aesthetic with the Pothos.
References
http://www.costafarms.com/
https://www.epicgardening.com/types-of-pothos/
https://www.culturesouthwest.org.uk/garden/house-plants/types-of-pothos-plant/
Hi there! My name is Constance and I am a professional botanist. My enthusiasm for organic farming has led me to start this blog about gardening for beginners!
I write articles and tips on improving your home and garden with less work. I also share my own advice from the perspective of someone who loves all things green – like how to grow vegetables in containers or how to make compost out of kitchen scraps.