Pearls and Jade Pothos Care

The Pearls and Jade Pothos is a beautiful vining plant with a refined and elegant air. Even the name, Pearls and Jade, speaks to the level of sophistication this plant exudes. It’s not the white and green Pothos, but rather the Pearls and Jade Pothos. Find out how this plant came to be and what level of care is required for this stunner to shine.

Plant Details

Formally known as Epipremnum aureum ‘pearls and jade,’ this plant is a slow grower, but the vines can grow up to 10 feet long. The Pearls and Jade sport smaller leaves than many other Pothos varieties, with the foliage measuring up to three inches long. The vegetation is also thinner than other Pothos cultivars.

The green and white variegation is random and irregular. Each leaf is unique, and some may exhibit large expanses of white speckled with green or big swaths of deep green.

Origin Story

The Pearls and Jade Pothos is a relatively new plant created at the University of Florida in 2009. Researchers were attempting to create a new Pothos hybrid since so few exist. This beauty is a mutation of the Marble Queen Pothos. The Pearls and Jade is similar to the Marble Queen, but it is also its own distinctive plant.

Pearls and Jade Light Needs

Place the Pearls and Jade Pothos in bright indirect sunlight. High light levels are necessary to maintain the variegation and prevent the plant from becoming leggy. The thin foliage quickly burns by direct sunlight, so hang a sheer curtain or move the plant away from a south-facing window.

Low light is unacceptable for the Pearls and Jade. Other Pothos varieties can handle low light, but this beauty needs increased light to maintain its variegation. Rotate the pot every few weeks so each side is bathed in sunlight and growth is consistent.

How Often to Water Pothos Pearls and Jade

The Pearls and Jade Pothos needs medium water and prefers a drink when the top couple of inches of the potting mix are dry. Stick your finger in the soil to determine the best time to water. Plants in a sunny spot will need water more often and may require a drink every week or week and a half. Dormant plants may go two weeks before needing a drink. Always check the soil to ensure the plant is watered when necessary.

Dead leaf tips form when the plant is overwatered, while a yellow haze engulfing leaves indicates the plant is underwatered. Curling or drooping foliage is another sign the plant needs a drink.

Best Soil for Pothos

Most ready-made potting soil mixes work well for the Pearls and Jade. Soil with high organic content or a slow-release fertilizer supports new growth. Most importantly, the potting mix must promote drainage. Pearls and Jade Pothos plants like moist but never soggy soil.

Temperature for Pearls and Jade

The Pearls and Jade plant is tropical at heart, so it likes warm temperatures. Fortunately, most homes are at a good temperature, so these leafy beauties thrive inside a home. Temperatures between 65° and 85° F are comfortable. Chilly weather is bad news, so avoid temperatures below 50° F if you move your plant to an outdoor area for the summer.

Pearls and Jade Pothos Humidity Needs

Increased humidity keeps this beauty looking its best. Feature the Pothos Pearls and Jade in an area with high humidity, like a kitchen or bathroom, or group plants together to increase the dampness in the air.

Average humidity may be ok, but low humidity is not acceptable. Leaves will dry out along the edges if the humidity is low. Use a pebble tray with water or a humidifier if your plant exhibits signs of dry air, or be proactive to keep your plant looking amazing.

Pearls and Jade Fertilizer Tips

Fertilizing keeps your Pearls and Jade Pothos happy and growing. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season. Do not fertilize dormant plants.

Pruning Basics

Trim the plant to remove dead or damaged foliage. Remove leggy stems as necessary to create a bushy, more compact look. Prune the Pearls and Jade when the plant is actively growing in the spring and summer.

Does Pearls and Jade Pothos Bloom?

The Pearls and Jade Pothos seldom blooms. The plant can bloom, but the conditions need to be just right.

When to Repot Pearls and Jade Pothos

The Pearls and Jade plant is a slow grower, and this plant is content being a bit root bound, so plan to repot every one to two years. Give the plant fresh soil when it is time to repot and select a new container one to two inches larger. Always use containers with drainage.

Pearls and Jade Pothos Propagation

Like all Pothos plants, the Pearls and Jade is easy to propagate. Trim a stem section several inches long with several leaves and growth nodes. Place the cutting in water so the nodes are submerged. Roots will grow in a few weeks, and the cutting can move to soil when the roots are at least one inch long. Keep the soil damp, but not soggy, for the first couple of weeks and then scale back to only water the new plant when the top couple of inches of the potting mix is dry.

Is the Pearls and Jade Pothos Pet Safe?

The Pearls and Jade Pothos is not pet safe. Eating or just chewing on foliage or stems can cause oral irritation, an upset stomach, or vomiting. Be cautious before bringing this plant into your home if you have cats or dogs.

Pearls and Jade Styling Tips

The sophisticated and high-end look of the Pearls and Jade Pothos makes this plant easy to style since the plant does all of the work. Select a white or green container to complement the foliage, but remember that the cascading stems will partially obscure the pot. A high perch like a tall bookcase shelf, on top of an armoire, or a hanging basket are good display areas; just make sure there is plenty of sunlight.