# Pothos (*Epipremnum aureum*)

Pothos plants are beautiful climbers with heart-shaped leaves. They come in shades of green, yellow, and white, brightening up any room with their vibrant colors.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Snaps:** 7
- **Habitat:** Indoor environments
- **Also known as:** Cebu Blue Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Golden Pothos

![Pothos](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Epipremnum_aurem_flower.png&width=800)

Photo: Chiu-Yueh Hung, Jie Qiu, Ying-Hsuan Sun, Jianjun Chen, Farooqahmed S. Kittur, Richard J. Henny, Gulei Jin, Longjiang Fan & Jiahua Xie, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epipremnum_aurem_flower.png)

## Appearance

The Pothos has glossy, heart-shaped leaves, often variegated with splashes of yellow, cream, or white against vibrant green. Its thick, trailing stems can grow very long, making it a distinct feature when hanging or climbing.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Alismatales
- **Family:** Araceae
- **Genus:** Epipremnum

## Interesting facts

- In its native jungle, Pothos vines can grow over 60 feet long!
- Its scientific name means 'golden upon the tree,' describing its climbing habit!
- Often called 'Devil's Ivy' because it's almost impossible to kill!
- Young leaves are small, but mature leaves can grow over 3 feet long outdoors!

## Special abilities

- **Low Light Master:** Pothos can thrive in low light conditions, using its broad leaves to capture even dim sunlight for energy.
- **Water Rooter:** Pothos can easily grow new roots from stem cuttings in water, allowing it to reproduce without seeds.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 15-600 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** Beach Hibiscus (*Hibiscus tiliaceus*) — for structural support as it climbs forest trees.
- **Eaten by:** Citrus mealybug (*Planococcus citri*) — mealybugs feed on the plant's sap and leaves.
- **Shelter:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Formica fusca*) — its dense foliage provides habitat for ants tending pests.

## Traits

- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Variegated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/variegated): Pertaining to plants with leaves or petals exhibiting different colors in patches or stripes.
- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.

## Collections

- [Foliage Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/foliage-plants)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Enjoy the beauty of Pothos plants, but remember not to eat any part of the plant as it can be harmful if ingested.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pothos?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Pothos?

15-600 cm

### Is Pothos edible?

No

### Is Pothos toxic?

Mild

### What is Pothos's lifecycle?

Perennial

### Where is Pothos usually found?

Indoor environments

## Where to spot

- [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden
- [Kahaluu Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahaluu-bay) — Hawaii, US · Historic District
- [Kahanu Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahanu-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden
- [National Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden
- [Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoomaluhia-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden
- [Ke'anae Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/keanae-arboretum) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden

[View all places to see Pothos](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pothos)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Pothos: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pothos)