Plant care guide

Golden Pothos

Epipremnum aureum · also called devil's ivy, money plant

Golden pothos is a fast, trailing vine that thrives on neglect and adapts to almost any light. Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings.

LightLow to bright
WaterEvery 1–2 weeks
DifficultyEasy
Pet safeNo
Mature sizeVines 6–10 ft long
GrowthFast

Golden pothos is arguably the easiest houseplant to grow, with heart-shaped leaves marbled in green and gold cascading from shelves or climbing a pole. It grows quickly, roots almost instantly from cuttings, and tolerates a wide range of conditions, which is why it earned the nickname 'devil's ivy' — it's very hard to kill.

It's an ideal first plant and a fast way to green up a room. Trailing vines can reach several feet, and regular trimming keeps it full and bushy while giving you free cuttings to propagate or share.

How to care for Golden Pothos

Light

Grows in everything from low light to bright indirect. Brighter light keeps the gold variegation vivid; very low light makes leaves revert to plain green and grow leggier. Avoid direct sun.

Watering

Water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry, roughly every 1–2 weeks. Pothos droops dramatically when thirsty and perks up quickly after watering, so it tells you when it needs a drink.

Humidity

Tolerates normal household humidity but enjoys a bit extra. No special measures needed.

Temperature

Happy at 65–85°F (18–29°C). Keep above 50°F (10°C) and away from cold drafts.

Soil & potting mix

Standard well-draining potting mix works well. Adding perlite improves aeration and drainage.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. It isn't a heavy feeder.

Pruning & grooming

Trim regularly to keep it bushy and prevent bare, leggy vines. Cut just above a leaf node; the trimmed pieces root easily.

Repotting

Repot every 1–2 years when roots fill the pot. It's tolerant of being slightly root-bound.

Propagation

Extremely easy — cut a vine below a node and root it in water or directly in moist soil. Roots appear within a couple of weeks.

Common Golden Pothos problems

  • Leggy vines with sparse leaves. Too little light. Move it brighter and prune back hard to encourage fuller growth.
  • Yellow leaves. Usually overwatering, though an occasional old yellow leaf is normal. Let the soil dry more between waterings.
  • Fading variegation. Not enough light. Brighter indirect light restores the gold marbling on new growth.
Toxicity: Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed.

Diagnose a problem

Why Are My Plant's Leaves Turning Yellow?Yellowing leaves (chlorosis) are most often caused by overwatering, but light, nutrients and natural aging can all play a role. Here's how to find the real cause and fix it.Why Is My Plant Leggy and Stretched Out?Leggy growth means long, bare stems with wide gaps between leaves, almost always caused by too little light. Here is how to diagnose the cause and bring back compact, bushy growth.Why Is My Plant Losing Its Variegation?Variegated plants lose their white, cream, or pink markings and revert to plain green mainly due to too little light. Here is why it happens and how to restore the contrast.

Similar plants

Heartleaf PhilodendronSatin PothosMonstera Deliciosa

Golden Pothos FAQ

How do I make my pothos fuller and bushier?

Prune regularly just above leaf nodes, which prompts the vine to branch and fill out. Give it brighter indirect light to prevent legginess, and you can tuck rooted cuttings back into the pot to thicken it up.

Why is my pothos turning yellow?

The most common cause is overwatering — let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again and make sure the pot drains. An occasional yellow leaf on older growth is normal, but widespread yellowing points to soggy roots.

Can pothos grow in water permanently?

Yes, pothos can live in a vase of water long-term if you change the water regularly and add a few drops of liquid fertilizer. Growth is a little slower than in soil, and moving an established soil plant to water (or vice versa) can cause some transition shock.