Pothos, "Devil's Ivy"

Pothos, also known as “devil’s ivy” is one of the easiest plants to grow in your home.  A pothos was my first houseplant ever, long before I knew anything about plants or even cared to learn.  I put it in a very dimly lit room and ignored it for weeks at a time, forgetting to water it or even notice it was still there.  I had another pothos on my desk at work, in a room that received nothing but fluorescent light from the ceiling fixture.  Both plants are still with me today, thriving.   

I highly recommend the pothos for a beginner.  It’s very easy to tell what’s wrong with this plant.  If it receives too little light, it simply won’t grow.  If it receives too little water, a leaf here and there will turn yellow and drop off.  If the pothos is treated well, it will reward you with several feet of leafy vines that can be arranged any way you desire, and sometimes need to be trimmed.  Pothos will also grow in water, making it an excellent choice for water gardens, as long as the leaves are kept above water level.  I recently spotted pothos in the turtle tank at a local museum.  

Pothos is probably the easiest plant to propagate, too.  Simply place a leaf in a cup of water on the windowsill, change the water every few days, and wait for it to develop roots.  Cut off the end of the vine and poke it in a pot of soil, and it will grow.  Lay a stem on top of a pot of soil, anchor it with a paper clip or hair pin, and it will develop roots and soon you can cut the connection to the main plant.  In about a year’s time, it’s quite possible to have a houseful of baby pothos plants, ready to take just about anything you give them.  

Pothos comes in several varieties.  The main difference between varieties is its tendency to grow bushy rather than in one long vine, and in the markings on the foliage.  Some varieties of pothos have rather plain, green leaves.  Others have leaves marked with gold or white spots and streaks.  With any variety, the amount of sunlight it receives usually determines how pronounced the markings will become.  Though the plant can survive in lower light conditions, it will not grow as fast and will develop more colorful foliage in brighter light.  It doesn’t like direct sunlight, so place it in any window that isn’t facing south.  

Where can you obtain a pothos plant?  Pothos are often included in florists’ displays, and can usually be found at garden centers or at any store that sells indoor plants.  If you have a friend that enjoys growing houseplants, chances are a pothos will be among her collection.  Ask her to provide you with a cutting.   

Pothos make beautiful, easy-care additions to any interior landscape.  Place them on a ledge, shelf, or tall piece of furniture so the long vines can trail down.  Put the pot next to a window and loop the vines over a curtain rod.  Nearly foolproof, they are excellent for beginners, and just may get you hooked on indoor gardening.  

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