Air Purifying
Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
In short: Low light · medium water needs · toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
The classic golden-variegated trailing vine that thrives almost anywhere. A classic first plant for new collectors.
- Light
- Low
- Water
- Medium
- Humidity
- Average
- Growth
- Fast
- Mature size
- Trails up to 10 feet indoors
- Temperature
- 60–85°F (16–29°C)
Golden Pothos essentially never blooms in cultivation. In the extremely rare wild flowering, it produces a spadix similar to other aroids.
Last updated
Overview
Golden Pothos: Where Most Plant Journeys Begin
Golden Pothos is the classic variety many plant collections start with. Its heart-shaped leaves with splashes of golden-yellow variegation trailing from any surface have made it a widely grown houseplant.
What About Air Purifying?
Golden Pothos is often called air-purifying because it was tested in NASA's 1989 Clean Air Study, which used small sealed chambers. At normal room scale the effect of a few houseplants on indoor air is negligible — grow it for its looks and easy care.
Versatile Grower
- Trails from shelves and hanging baskets
- Climbs walls and moss poles
- Grows in water indefinitely
- Thrives from low light to bright indirect
- Survives frequent-flyer neglect
If you only own one houseplant, make it a Golden Pothos. It does everything well and asks for almost nothing in return.
Watering
Water when top inch of soil is dry — typically weekly in summer, every 10-14 days in winter. Droops when thirsty as a built-in reminder. Bounces back quickly after watering. Tolerates occasional drought but prefers consistency.
Light
Thrives everywhere from low light to bright indirect. The golden variegation is most pronounced in bright indirect light. In very low light, leaves become more solid green. Can live under fluorescent office lights. Avoid direct sun which burns leaves.
Soil
Any standard well-draining potting mix. Truly not picky. Can also grow permanently in water — just change the water monthly and add a drop of liquid fertilizer.
Fertilizing
Monthly during spring and summer with balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Very light feeder. Skip in winter.
Propagation
One of the easiest plants to propagate. Cut below any node, put in water, roots in 7-14 days. Almost impossible to fail. Pothos cuttings are a classic plant to share.
Repotting
Every 1-2 years. Not fussy about pots. Can grow in almost anything with drainage. Fast growers benefit from annual repotting with fresh soil.
Common problems
Yellow leaves: Overwatering (most common) or too much direct sun.
Loss of variegation: Not enough light. Move to brighter spot.
Leggy vines: Low light causes sparse growth. Trim and move brighter.
Brown spots: Bacterial infection from overwatering. Remove affected leaves.
Pro tips
Variegation trick: More light = more gold variegation. Dim conditions produce all-green leaves.
Water growing: Golden Pothos cuttings in glass vases are living decor that grows indefinitely without soil.
Climbing = bigger leaves: Train up a moss pole for significantly larger, more dramatic foliage.
FAQ
Golden Pothos questions
Starter kit
Get set up for your Golden Pothos
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The basics
Extras for your Golden Pothos
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