The pothos plant, also known as “Devil’s Ivy,” is notoriously well known for being a great office plant. Its undemanding nature is well-suited for an environment in which it might not receive constant care. This air-purifying plant makes a great addition to any office, big or small.
Pothos plant care tips
One of the things about the 
Epipremnum aureum, or pothos plant, that makes it great for offices is its ability to tolerate many different levels of light, including low light. Pothos plants do not do well in direct sunlight, but other than that, they do not seem to have a preference.
Only the green parts of the plant create energy, so if you are seeing a lot of variegation (differently colored zones) in the leaves, the plant is receiving too much sunlight and is trying to compensate. Conversely, if you see little to no variegation in the leaves, the plant is not getting enough light and is trying to expand its energy creation.
Pothos plants prefer temperatures from 60-80℉ (15-26 °C) and can be grown in water or soil. They do not require a great deal of fertilization, only once every three months during their growth period. During this time, you may want to prune your plant regularly to keep it from becoming too heavy.
Before watering the pothos plant, make sure the top two inches of soil have dried out. Overwatering can lead to root rot. On the contrary, do not let the plant dry out to its roots, for the plant will become more susceptible to pests and disease.
How to propagate pothos
To get a cutting for Pothos propagation, follow these steps:
- Trim a 4-6 inch piece just below a root node. Ideally, the cutting will have 4+ leaves and at least two growth nodes.
- Pothos plant propagation can be done in water or soil, but once it begins, the plant has difficult switching to the other growing medium.
- If you place the cutting in water, the plant should remain in water once it grows larger. The same goes for a cutting propagated in the soil.
Potential pothos problems
It is normal for your pothos 
plant to shed a few leaves over time, but if you are seeing increased leaf loss, there might be an underlying problem.
If your pothos plant has distorted leaf growth, this may be due to nutrient and/or light deficiencies, insect infestations, or too little water. Mealybugs and scale often take up residence on the pothos plant, and can be removed with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball.
If the pothos plant leaf tips are turning brown, this is a sign of low humidity. To solve this problem, you can lightly spray your plant with water or place it in a room with a humidifier.
Are your pothos’ leaves turning yellow?
This could be the effect of a few different issues. Yellow leaves indicate that the plant might be receiving too much sunlight or the incorrect amount of fertilizer. Additionally, yellow leaves can be indicative of root rot.
Is my pothos poisonous?
Because pothos plants contain calcium oxalates, which are tiny crystals that can cause quite a bit of pain and swelling, it is certainly not advised to ingest the plant. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, chewing the crystals would feel like chewing on glass, so the pain usually prevents a large amount from being consumed. That being said, the pothos plant can cause irritation and vomiting, so it should be kept away from pets and children. If your child or pet is exhibiting signs of possible pothos ingestion, contact a medical professional immediately.
For more information on what Ambius can do for your office, including providing the Pothos plant, contact us online or call 1-888-368-8060.
