Everything about the Jade Pothos is simple and easy. Pothos are some of the easiest of all easy-care houseplants out there. This monochromatic stunner is almost guaranteed to be available at any garden center, plant store, or even the plant department of a grocery store. Officially known as Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade,’ this vining tropical beauty hails from Southeast Asia. The solid green, heart-shaped foliage has a glossy finish and grows along thick stems. Here is what you need to know about Jade Pothos care.
Know Your Pothos Cultivars
With so many types of Pothos, it can be hard to keep them all straight. The Jade Pothos has medium green foliage with no variegation. The leaves are a consistent hue. There is a Pearls and Jade Pothos variety with lovely green and creamy white variegation, and while the names are similar, this is a different type of Pothos.
Jade Pothos Light Needs
Pothos plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. The Jade Pothos is a fast-growing plant. If you want your vining charmer to grow as quickly as possible, a sunny spot is necessary. A place set a few feet away from a south-facing window or perched near an east- or west-facing window will provide plenty of sunlight. Keep the plant clear of direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. Sunburn appears as black or brown splotches on the foliage.
That said, Pothos are adaptable, which is a big part of what makes them so easy to grow. Pothos plants can happily live in low light, although growth will slow down. As a non-variegated Pothos, the Jade cultivar is a good candidate for low-light living. Variegated plants need bright light to maintain their colorful foliage, but the Jade is consistently green, so low light is acceptable.
Rotate the plant monthly or when you water it to ensure each side receives sunlight. Rotating the plant prevents lopsided or uneven growth.
How Often to Water Jade Pothos
Pothos plants are known as being drought-tolerant, and they need water when the top two inches of soil are dry. Plants in bright light will dry out more quickly than plants in low light, so consider that, but it’s always best to feel the soil to gauge the dryness. Drooping foliage indicates the plant is too dry. Yellow leaf tips are a sign that the plant is too wet, so wait until the top couple of inches of soil is dry before giving the Pothos water.
Get the soil wet when it is time to water so the entire root ball is saturated. Let excess water drain and remove standing water from the cache pot or saucer so the plant is not sitting in water.
Soil Requirements
Keep it simple with moist, well-drained soil. The Jade Pothos will appreciate organic content to support growth. Most ready-made potting soil mixes are a good choice. Consider improving the drainage by mixing in perlite because Pothos plants do not like soggy conditions.
Temperature Needs
Pothos are tropical plants, but they are content in most homes. If you are comfortable with the temperature, your Pothos is also fine. Temperatures between 65° – 85° F are ideal. Keep the plant away from drafty doors, windows, and heating and cooling vents.
A Jade Pothos will look lovely on an outdoor patio during the summer, and the increase in humidity will help it thrive. Be careful when moving a houseplant outside, and be mindful of direct sunlight and cold temperatures. Anything below 50° F will damage the plant, so wait before moving it outdoors and get it back inside before the weather turns cold.
Pothos Jade Humidity Needs
Remember how adaptable Pothos plants are? They are also adaptable in terms of humidity. Give your Jade Pothos the best care possible by placing the plant in high humidity. These tropical plants will thrive and look fantastic in increased humidity, but they can still live in average humidity.
Low humidity may test the boundaries of the Pothos plant’s adaptability. Dry patches along the edges are a sign the air is too dry. Group the Pothos near other plants or use a humidifier to help them adapt to low humidity.
Fertilizer Basics
Pothos plants are not heavy feeders that require fertilization, but a boost of nutrition will help these leafy plants grow and thrive. Feed your Jade Pothos using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Dormant plants do not need to be fed. Combine watering with feeding to prevent fertilizer burn.
Pruning Tips
Remove dead or yellow leaves as they appear. The occasional yellow leaf is normal and natural and nothing to worry about. Trim the vines as needed to help the Jade Pothos fit your space. Remember to save those offcuts to propagate.
Does Jade Pothos Bloom?
It’s rare for Jade Pothos grown as houseplants to bloom, although Pothos plants can bloom. The conditions must be just right and align with what the plant would experience in nature. The conditions inside of a home do not provide what this plant needs to set flowers.
When to Repot Pothos Jade
Repot Pothos annually to give these fast-growing houseplants the room they need to grow. Select a new pot that is one to two inches larger and has drainage. Repotting is a great time to refresh the soil to help encourage future growth.
Jade Pothos Propagation
Jade Pothos plants live for about a decade, but you can keep your plant going by propagating cuttings to ensure you always have this leafy stunner around. Cuttings should be several inches long and have growth nodes or aerial roots. You can propagate a cutting with one growth node, but the more growth nodes, the greater the chances of roots forming.
Place the cutting in water or soil so the nodes are submerged. Roots will develop in a couple of weeks. Water-propagated Pothos cuttings can be planted in potting mix when the roots measure at least one inch long.
Is Jade Pothos Pet Safe?
Unfortunately, Jade Pothos plants are not safe for pets. The leaves and stems contain calcium oxalates, which are toxic to pets and people if ingested. Eating any part of a Pothos plant is likely to cause severe gastrointestinal problems, along with vomiting and excessive drooling.
Jade Pothos Styling Tips
Pothos plants in nature can grow vines reaching up to 40 feet long, while houseplants tend to max out around 6 feet. Mature, vining Pothos are a natural fit for hangers, high shelves, or any place up high that allows the leafy vines to hang down. Pothos vines can be trained to climb a trellis or moss pole, creating a vertical foliage display.
Young plants have a bushy form and look darling on an end table, nightstand, or desk. This plant is a charmer even as the vines start to tumble over the edge of the container.
Jade Pothos Care Tips
Jade Pothos are easy-care houseplants with lush, lovely foliage. Routinely rinse the plant to keep the foliage clean and glossy. Take time to untangle trailing vines as needed; otherwise, this Pothos is a joy to grow and incredibly undemanding.