Devil’s Ivy is one of the most preferred species for arranging plant collection indoors by newbies. Also, it is a trailing vine cascading down its stems with variegated leaves from the edge of pots. With this point, it shares some characteristics with Swiss Cheese Vine and String of Pearls. This houseplant has a few different names. Here are Devil’s Ivy, Golden Pothos, Ivy Arum, Marble Queen, Taro Vine, Ceylon Creeper, Hunter’s Robe, Silver Vine, Money Plant, and Solomon Island’s Ivy. Also, its scientific name is Epipremnum Aureum. Besides, Epipremnum Aureum has a number of varieties, for example, neon, variegated neon, golden, global green, emerald, jessenia, white sport golden, jade, pearls & jade, marble ‘snow’ queen, Manjula, njoy, glacier, and Cebu blue. According to its phytogeography, it is native to Moorea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. What’s more interesting, it can purify the air from some airborne toxins.
General Information
Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum) generally has crowd creeping stems featuring broad, glossy, pointy-tipped, green leaves. Also, some varieties of this houseplant have light green or variegated leaves. As for its flowering, it blooms indoors rare. However, it flowers white spathe in nature. According to its mature size, this plant reaches up to 40 ft (12 m) in length in its natural environment. But generally, it reaches 6 – 8 ft (2 – 2,5 m) in height indoors. In terms of its lifespan, Epipremnum Aureum is a perennial plant like Peperomia Hope and Watermelon Peperomia. Also, such plants usually need support structures, for example, trellis, moss poles, bamboo sticks, and so forth. As a note, Epipremnum Aureum is a poisonous plant. For that reason, pets should be in separate places apart from this plant.
How to Care for Epipremnum aureum
Sunlight: Devil’s Ivy likes bright and indirect sunlight. To ensure this condition for this plant, you may put it in west-facing or east-facing window sills.
Watering: In its growing season, it should be watered weekly or bi-weekly. But it should get its inputs less in winter. Because this houseplant goes dormant in these times.
Humidity: Medium humidity would suffice for it. Also, you can increase the humidity level with a water spray, wet tray, automated humidifier.
Temperature: The optimal temperature range for this houseplant is 63°F – 86°F (17°C – 30°C). Rather than hot weather, it should be covered from frost hits. According to the USDA plant hardiness map, it may grow outdoors in zones 9 – 11.
Soil Type: All-purpose potting mixes would be beneficial for this houseplant. Specifically, peat-based mixes work. But the soil should be well-drained. Because the evacuation of the excess water also matters a lot for maintaining the plant.
Fertilizer: Water-soluble fertilizers should be applied monthly in its growing season (spring and summer).
Propagation: The common way is stem cutting. Cut at least 2 inches (6 cm) stem with 4-5 leaves. To root it, put it in a soil-filled pot or half water-filled vase. It would probably root within a month.
Repotting: Overgrown plants need replanting once in two years. For that, find 2 inches (6 cm) larger pot than the current one. But the spring season is ideal for such works.
Common Problems
Wilted leaves: Long-neglected plants manifest themselves this way. Generally, underwatering leads to such cases.
Losing variegation: Less light causes this problem. If ignored long-term, its leaves turn pale green, yellow, and pale yellow, respectively.
Pest infestation: Aphids, scales, mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and so on pose a danger to this houseplant. Unless intervened properly, this plant deteriorates day by day.
Suggestions for problems
Wilted leaves show the plant miserably. To solve that, you should stick to an appropriate care plan. Over time, leaves perk up again. This way, you may recover your plant. To keep leaves rigid, you should put Devil’s Ivy in a good spot getting diffused sunlight. Also, it should get its inputs in time. Pest-infested plants are a clear sign of long-term neglect. To get rid of such harmful creatures, you may use neem oils, alcohol-based wipes, and pesticides. Also, such plants’ leaves are dust magnets. For that, you may clean all leaves with a damp cloth monthly.
