The poto or potus, also known as aureum, Is one of the most appreciated indoor plants due to its robustness, adaptability and ease of maintenance. This climbing plant, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, has spread throughout the world and has become an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
Essential characteristics of the poto (aureum)
- Common name: Potho, pothos, potus, pothos
- Scientific name: aureum
- Family: Araceae
- Origin: Southeast Asia and tropical areas
- Type: Evergreen, climbing/hanging plant
- Maximum height in nature: Up to 20 meters
- Usual indoor height: Between 2 and 3 meters
- Sheets: Heart-shaped, green, with cream, yellow, white and different shades depending on the variety.
- Estate: Aerial, allowing it to hold onto supports and take moisture from the environment
- Life expectancy: Can live for many years with proper care
The poto stands out for its amazing ability to purify the air, eliminating toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene and benzene. In addition, its decorative versatility It can be displayed both as a hanging plant, on shelves and tall furniture, and vertically with supports. Its leaves can vary in size and color depending on the light and environment, displaying unique patterns that enhance any space.
Main varieties and types of pothos
- Golden Pothos: Green leaves with golden yellow spots.
- Poto Marble Queen: Variety of green leaves with very decorative white/cream veining.
- Neon or Lemon Pot: Leaves of a vibrant electric yellow color without spots.
- Poto Manjula: Leaves with a combination of creamy and green tones, curved edges.
- Silver/Satin Pothos: Green leaves with silver highlights and a satin finish.
- Poto Pearls and Jade: Small white and green spots in various patterns.
- Poto N'Joy: Green leaves with asymmetrical and well-marked white or cream spots.
- Jade Poto: Deep, dark green leaves.
- Other: Epipremnum pinnatum, Epipremnum amplissimum, Scindapsus pictus (sometimes confused with pothos due to the similarity of their leaves).
The variegated variety (with colored spots or stripes) needs more light than the all-green variety to maintain its pattern. If the plant receives too little light, it may lose its variegation and become predominantly green to optimize photosynthesis and survive.
Benefits of pothos in the home and office
- Air purifying power: According to NASA studies, pothos is capable of eliminating toxic compounds present in indoor environments.
- Environmental humidity regulator: Its breathability helps maintain humidity levels in dry rooms.
- Odor reducer: Helps combat bad odors and provides freshness.
- Improves well-being and environmental energy: According to Feng Shui, it attracts positive energy and revitalizes spaces.
- Easy playback: It is ideal for expanding your plant collection through cuttings.
- Ideal for bedrooms and offices: Improves air quality and provides visual tranquility in rest and work areas.
Light and location requirements
- Light: It prefers abundant, indirect, bright light. Near a window with light curtains is ideal. It will tolerate semi-shaded areas, but will grow more slowly and lose variegation.
- Direct light: It should never receive direct sunlight, as it can cause burning and discoloration of the leaves.
- Ideal places: Living rooms, bedrooms, offices, bathrooms with natural light (humidity favors it).
- Avoid: Drafts, heaters and radiators, extremely dry or cold environments.
Ideal temperature and humidity
- Optimum temperature: Between 16 and 25°C. It can withstand occasional minimum temperatures of around 10°C (preferably no less than 12-15°C), but it does not tolerate intense cold or frost.
- Humidity: It prefers humid environments; spray water on the leaves in dry environments. You can place the pot on a saucer of stones and water, without letting it touch the base, to increase humidity.
- Avoid: Hot and dry environments, direct heating and sudden changes in temperature.
For more details on how to keep your butt healthy, check out How to recover if the leaves are yellow or brown.
Irrigation: frequency and key aspects
- Moderate and spaced watering: Let the top layer (2-3 cm) of the substrate dry before watering again. Insert your finger to check the moisture; if it comes out dry, it's time to water.
- Frequency: Watering is generally weekly during warmer weather and every 10-15 days during winter. Adjust the frequency according to the ambient temperature and humidity.
- Avoid waterlogging: Pothos are susceptible to root rot, which is caused by excess water and poor aeration.
- Ideal water: Use settled water at room temperature, avoiding water with excess lime.
- Trouble indicators: Yellow leaves are usually a sign of overwatering; dry or brown leaves may indicate a lack of water or a very dry environment.
Looking for tall plants for your home? Here are the best options..
Type of substrate and transplant
- Ideal substrate: Use a light, well-aerated, and well-draining mix. A universal substrate or a substrate specifically for green plants is perfect. Adding perlite, coconut fiber, and sand improves aeration.
- Flowerpot: It must have drainage holes to prevent water accumulation.
- Transplant frequency: Approximately every 1 or 2 years, preferably in spring or when the roots appear from the bottom holes.
- Steps for transplanting:
- Carefully remove the plant from the old pot.
- Place it in the new container with fresh substrate, without pressing too much.
- Water lightly after transplanting and keep the plant in a sheltered location for a few days.
To learn more about transplanting pothos, visit Steps to take out indoor plants in summer.
Fertilization and fertilization
- Fertilization season: Mainly spring and summer, which is the phase of greatest growth.
- Type of subscription: Use universal liquid fertilizer, specifically for green plants, compost, or worm castings. Add the fertilizer every 2-3 weeks (liquid) or every 15 days, depending on the recipe.
- Avoid overpaying: It can cause salt buildup and damage roots.
- In autumn and winter: Reduce or stop fertilizing because the plant is going dormant.
For proper fertilization, also check out our article on homemade rooting hormones.
Pruning the pothos: how and when to do it
- Maintenance pruning: Remove wilted, dry, or damaged leaves to prevent disease and maintain a healthy appearance.
- Formation pruning: If you want a more compact and bushy plant, cut the ends of the stems. Pinching the shoots encourages lateral growth.
- Tools: Use sharp, sanitized scissors to cut just above a node (leaf growth point).
- Recommended time: It can be done at any time, but it is optimal in late winter or early spring, when the plant begins to activate.
- Tip: Take advantage of pruning to obtain cuttings and multiply your pothos.
Pothos propagation: cuttings and other techniques
- For cuttings in water: This is the simplest and most effective method. Cut a stem with at least 2-3 nodes and remove the leaves from the bottom. Place the cutting in water and change the water weekly. After a few weeks, roots will sprout; when they are 3-4 cm long, transplant them into the ground.
- By layering: Without cutting, bend a stem so that one of its nodes touches the substrate and hold it with a wire or stone until it roots, then separate and plant.
- By division of bush: Less frequent, but possible in highly developed specimens.
- By seeds: Pothos rarely flowers and produces seeds indoors, so this method is not feasible.
Main problems and solutions in the poto
- Yellow sheets: This usually indicates overwatering or waterlogged substrate. Check the drainage, let it dry thoroughly before watering, and if it's severe, transplant into dry substrate.
- Brown leaves at the tips: Lack of environmental humidity or insufficient irrigation.
- Falling leaves: Too dark location, cold draft or excess water.
- Soft leaves and rotten stems: Root rot due to waterlogging.
- Loss of variegation: Lack of light. Relocate the plant to a brighter area.
- Sticky leaves: Presence of pests such as mealybugs or aphids. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and apply organic insecticides (neem oil, potassium soap) if the infestation persists.
- Pests: Mealybugs, red spider mites, aphids, and mites. Keep the plant clean and act quickly at the first signs.
- Leaves with white spots or filaments: Red mites. Shower the plant and use specific products if necessary.
If you experience recurring root rot, repot the plant, clean the roots, and use fresh soil. Always maintain good ventilation and regulate watering.
How to maintain the pothos in winter
- Reduce watering: The plant enters dormancy and consumes less water. Always check the dryness of the substrate.
- Avoid cold drafts and direct heating: Protect the plant from extreme cold and dry air.
- Do not pay: Fertilization in winter is not necessary, as the plant slows down its metabolism.
The pothos can winter in perfect conditions as long as it is kept in a well-lit area and protected from extreme cold and dry environments.
Specific care for a pothos in water (hydroponics)
- Grow in water: Pothos can live in water alone for a long time. Change the water weekly and clean the container to prevent algae.
- Fertilizer use: Add a few drops of liquid fertilizer from time to time to make up for the nutrient deficiencies in plain water.
- Recommended container: Glass jars (preferably dark to prevent algae growth).
- Light: Same conditions as in a pot (abundant indirect light).
The water pot is a perfect decorative element for any room and is very easy to maintain over time.
Decoration and tips to show off your butt at home
- As a hanging plant: Place it in tall baskets or pots so its stems cascade down, ideal for shelves, bathrooms, corners, and entryways.
- Vertically with tutor: Use a moss or coconut fiber support to help the plant climb. The leaves will be larger and the plant will grow more robust.
- In water containers: Centerpieces, transparent planters, minimalist corners.
- Combination of varieties: Play with different variegations and colors to create eye-catching arrangements.
- In offices or studios: It enhances well-being and productivity with its ability to filter air and provide visual freshness.
The pothos is one of the most versatile plants for decoration, allowing it to be easily integrated into all types of styles and spaces.
Is pothos toxic? Tips if you have pets or children
Pothos contains calcium oxalate, a substance that can cause oral and gastric irritation if ingested. Although not lethal, it can cause discomfort in cats, dogs, and children: burning, vomiting, and pain. If you have pets or small children, place the plant out of their reach, preferably as a hanging plant or on high shelves.
Curiosities and extra tips about the poto
- Ideal for beginners: Its resistance and adaptability make the pothos one of the best plants to start gardening.
- Refreshes the home: Its transpiration helps lower the ambient temperature in summer.
- Uses in Feng Shui: It is considered to attract positive energy and revitalize environments.
- Combat sick building syndrome: Being surrounded by purifying plants like pothos reduces headaches and feelings of fatigue.
- Cleaning leaves: Wipe the plant with a damp cloth occasionally to remove dust and improve photosynthesis. You can also give it a light shower.
- Avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering: Less is more when it comes to butt.
- Duration: A well-cared-for butt can accompany you for many years without any problems.
El poto It is an indoor plant exceptionally grateful for its easy care, durability and great decorative and purifying valueIt only requires proper light, moderate watering, a humid environment, and occasional pruning to live a long life in optimal conditions. You'll enjoy its lush leaves and vitality, even if you don't have much experience with plants. You can also propagate it to share the benefits of such a beautiful, simple, and healthy plant with those around you.
