Pothos are easily our top favorite houseplant, and the golden pothos is the most popular variety. Loved by beginners and seasoned plant enthusiasts alike, they’re affordable, attractive, and forgiving. With fast growth and lush trailing vines, golden pothos add life and color to any room—we keep them in nearly every space in our home.
There are more than a dozen pothos varieties (Epipremnum aureum) that share similar traits and care needs. Popular examples include the marble queen pothos and the neon pothos, each with its own distinctive coloring and appeal.
Golden Pothos Quick Facts
A quick overview of what to expect with golden pothos:
- Latin name: Epipremnum aureum
- Common names: Golden pothos, devil’s ivy, devil’s vine, hunter’s rove
- Lookalikes: Neon pothos, marble queen pothos
- Light: Prefers medium, indirect light but tolerates low light
- Watering: Typically every 7–10 days in the growing season; water when the topsoil is dry or leaves begin to droop
- Soil: Standard potting mix that drains well
- Humidity: Average household humidity; ideally 50–70%
- Temperature: 65°F to 85°F
- Cold hardiness: Best for USDA Zones 10–12
What Is A Golden Pothos?
Golden pothos is an evergreen vine often called “devil’s ivy” because of its resilience. It thrives in a range of light conditions and can remain healthy even in low-light rooms, which is part of why it’s one of the most sold houseplants. You’ll find them at nurseries, big-box stores, and sometimes grocery stores.
They’re appreciated for their long, dramatic vines that look great trailing from shelves, windowsills, or hanging baskets. You can also train a pothos to climb a stake or trellis. Under ideal conditions a healthy pothos can put on significant new growth in a single month.
Golden vs. Marble Queen vs. Neon Pothos
Pothos varieties can be tricky to tell apart because leaf color and pattern vary with light and other conditions. Golden pothos typically has green, heart-shaped leaves with yellow or gold variegation—the “aureum” in its scientific name means “golden.” In lower light the golden flecks may be faint or absent.
Marble queen pothos often shows darker green leaves with white or cream variegation and can display a higher concentration of variegation per leaf. Neon pothos, by contrast, is usually a bright, almost fluorescent green and lacks variegation. Young or low-variegation golden pothos can sometimes resemble neon varieties, especially on fresh new growth that appears bright green.
How To Care For A Golden Pothos
Golden pothos are forgiving and adaptable, making them excellent starter plants. They tolerate a wide range of light and watering conditions, and their rapid growth is rewarding for new plant parents.
Light
Pothos do well in nearly any indoor light—from low-light corners to bright, indirect light. They’ll even tolerate fluorescent lighting. More light typically produces faster, fuller growth and stronger variegation, but avoid prolonged direct sun that can scorch leaves.
Watering
Water roughly every 7–10 days in spring and summer, and less often in fall and winter. A thirsty pothos will droop—this is a clear cue to water. Water until it drains and allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering again. Avoid keeping the soil constantly soggy, which can lead to root rot.
Soil
Use a standard, well-draining potting mix. Avoid compacting the soil when repotting and consider adding perlite or pumice to improve aeration and drainage. Well-aerated soil helps prevent root rot and supports healthy growth.
Pruning
Prune to shape the plant or remove leggy growth, ideally in spring. Use clean, sharp shears and cut just above a node to encourage new branching. You can remove more length if needed, but leave a couple of inches of stem above the soil. Pruning stimulates fuller, bushier growth.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years when the plant becomes rootbound or to refresh soil and nutrients. You can repot soon after purchase if the plant seems healthy, but some prefer to wait a few months to let the plant acclimate to its new home before disturbing the roots.
How To Propagate A Golden Pothos
Pothos are ideal for learning propagation. Any pruning cut can be turned into a new plant. The basic water-propagation method is simple and reliable.
Step 1: Take a vine cutting
Cut a vine just above a node and leave at least three or four leaves on the cutting. Taking multiple cuttings at once is a great way to propagate several new plants.
Step 2: Place the cutting in water
Put the cut end in a clear cup of clean water, ensuring no leaves are submerged. Place the container where it receives bright, indirect light and change the water regularly to keep it fresh.
Step 3: Transfer to soil after roots form
Roots typically appear in one to two weeks. Once roots are a couple of inches long, pot the cutting in well-draining potting mix and care for it like a mature plant.
Common Golden Pothos Issues
Golden pothos are generally hardy, but they can show a few common problems. Fortunately, most issues are easy to diagnose and correct.
- Yellowing leaves: A single yellow leaf is normal as the plant sheds older foliage. Widespread yellowing often signals overwatering or poor drainage—allow the soil to dry more between waterings and check for root rot if the problem continues.
- Brown or crispy tips: Usually caused by underwatering, low humidity, or too much direct sun. Adjust watering, increase humidity, or move the plant to a less sunny location.
- Drooping leaves: Typically a sign of thirst; watering usually revives the plant within a day.
- Foul smell: A sour or rotten odor from the soil can indicate root rot from excessive moisture. If present, repot into fresh, well-draining soil and remove any mushy roots.
- Pests: Pothos are not commonly plagued by insects, but occasional pests can be washed off and treated with a gentle, plant-safe insecticide if needed.
Other Golden Pothos FAQ
Are golden pothos toxic to pets?
Yes. All pothos contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract if chewed or swallowed. Keep pothos out of reach of pets and small children to avoid irritation.
Can golden pothos be grown outdoors?
Golden pothos can be grown outdoors in warm climates (USDA Zones 10–12). In cooler regions you can keep them outside during warm months and bring them indoors before temperatures drop. They do well in shaded or partially shaded outdoor locations.
What other pothos varieties exist?
Besides golden pothos, common varieties include marble queen, neon, manjula, Cebu Blue, Snow Queen, jade pothos, and Baltic Blue. Each offers distinct leaf shapes and variegation patterns that make mixed displays especially attractive.
Can pothos be grown in water?
Yes. Pothos will grow in water long-term, though there’s no inherent advantage over soil. Water-grown pothos require frequent water changes to stay healthy and are a popular choice for displaying root growth or for semi-aquatic setups.
More Plant Guides
If you want to explore more plant care topics, look for guides covering low-light houseplants, air-purifying plants, propagation techniques, monstera care, snake plant care, and more. These resources can help you expand your indoor garden and build confidence with new plants.
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