Pothos
How would I describe pothos? You pretty much can’t kill it. That’s how I would describe it. Pothos is my number one go to plant for anyone just starting out their houseplant journey. It’s laidback and easy and grows forever. Let’s explore the history and care of this plant and how you can use a moss pole to help your plant grow to it's fullest potential!
History:
Pothos aka Devil’s Ivy (more on that later) is native to the island’s of French Polynesia specifically the Solomon Island and this next face will blow your mind. The plant we’ve all been calling pothos isn’t a true species of Pothos AT ALL. Epipremnum aureum is actually an Aracae or aroid. This is the family that includes the Peace Lily, Elephant’s Foot and Monstera Deliciosa.
From the time it was first discovered in 1880 until 1962 this plant was classified as a Pothos and this name has stuck. It wasn’t until the flower was examined that botanists realized it wasn’t a pothos at all!
*Fun Fact it doesn’t flower without a hormone supplement in cultivation!
Varieties:
There are a bijillion names and varieties you may see this plant listed as at the store like; golden pothos, Ceylon creeper, hunter's robe, ivy arum, silver vine, Solomon Islands ivy, and taro vine. In this article I’m going to refer to it as Golden Pothos because its scientific name is a mouthful. Epipremnum aureum sounds like eh-pip-rum-num auh-ree-um. See. Mouthful.
There are also many varieties of color. Everything from a plain jane green leaf of the original houseplant "Jade" to a marbled white and green like the "Marble Queen."
It’s called Devil’s Ivy due to its invasive nature and that it can reportedly stay green even when grown in the dark. Golden Pothos is considered invasive in Florida where its vining habits grow over and choke mature trees ultimately killing them. If you grow this plant in Florida, consider growing it indoors where it won’t be able to escape.
Golden Pothos is a vine of the truest form. In nature in can grow to sizes of 66 feet tall! In your home it won’t get that big but it’s going to do what it does best and vine. This makes it great plant for growing on a bookshelf, hutch or sill so that its leaves and stem can flow down.
If it gets too viney for your taste, you can easily trim it. But don’t throw that part away!
Epipremnum aureum is beyond easy to propagate or grow new plants from pieces of existing ones. Check out this blog showing you how to propagate step by step!
https://rootedwingsco.com/how-to-propagate-a-pothos-plant/
Care of Golden Pothos:
Water- Water throughly once a week and allow the plant to dry out. Make sure it’s in a planter with a hole so that water flows freely and doesn’t hang out at the bottom of the planter. This causes the roots to rot and mold.
Light- Golden Pothos can handle bright light in a window to indirect light. Imagine the opposite end of a room out of the direct beam of sun coming in from the window, that’s indirect light.
Some people are able to grow them in bathrooms without windows. I have not tried it so your mileage may vary.
Soil- A light airy mix of soil with chunks of bark or sticks is perfect. It most resembles where these grow in nature but they truly aren’t picky and any houseplant soil will do.
Toxicity: Mildy toxic to animals so if you have a kitty or dog who likes to chomp I’d stay away from this plant.
Level Unlocked:
One of my favorite parts about this plant is you can just keep growing a pothos as a long trailing vine or you can level up. In nature, Epipremnum aureum grows vertically. As it grows and matures the leaves get bigger and bigger and eventually split into what’s called fenestrations. Check out the photo below. 
You can totally recreate this at home! It takes time but with the right conditions you can unlock this level! Using a moss pole is right for you if you want to grow a mature lush Pothos that takes up vertical space.
Moss Pole Directions & Supplies:
Viney Golden Pothos of any variety
Moss pole (longer than your vines) at least 18' is a great starting point
Larger pot
Lots of light
Pipe cleaners
You can totally start your pothos off on a moss pole when you first buy it. Or you can allow it to vine for a while and then attach the vines. If you are wrapping a long vine follow these directions.
Mosser Lee - Totem Pole ™ Extendible Plant Supports
I love this one. It comes in three sizes and you can use the 12” size as an extender if you need more pole for your plant. You want to stay away from moss poles whose base end that you put into the planer is covered in moss or any kind of yarn or jute. This will rot and mold in the soil. A plastic or metal base is your best bet.
1.) Replant your pothos in a larger pot that has a wide sturdy base. When you insert your moss pole, you don’t want it to be top heavy and tip over. I choose to use an antique crock I found at the thrift store! It doesn’t have a drainage hole but I’ve been growing pothos in containers for years in vintage containers without holes and have lots of practice. If this is your first pothos, choose a planter with drainage.
2.) Position your moss pole in the center of the planter ensuring it is deep enough that it is sturdy and doesn’t tip or sway. You can grab a couple rocks to prop around the base of the moss pole to add stability.
3.) Take a close look at your vine. You should see nodes that look like little nubs growing every few inches coming out one side of the vine. In the wild these are what the plant uses to attach onto surfaces as it grows. You want to have the side with the nodes directly against the moss. If the vine isn’t cooperating or you can’t get the nodes touching the moss pole for the entirety of the vine, it’s ok. The plant will naturally do its thing.
Carefully wrap your pothos vine up the moss pole. I did one vine at a time. If you have multiple vines you can do them together or you can do it double helix style. Starting at the bottom of the pole, use pipe cleaners to secure it as you make your way up the pole. Twist the pipe cleaners gently around every few inches
*I don’t recommend zip ties. The plastic can cut into the stem of the plant.
4.) Place your pothos in a sunny location and water as usual. Wrap new growth and attach as it grows.
5.) If your pothos outgrows the pole, you can add more with the system I linked above.
Happy planting! Have you tried a moss pole? Let me know in the comments.
