How to Grow & Care for Epipremnum Aureum ‘Hawaiian Pothos’ (2024)

Are you thinking to add some of the great variety of pothos in your yard? If yes, then it’s going to be fun as I have one of the best species for you. These plants are easy to grow and maintain. This plant is the part of Araceae family but is not a part of the Pothos genus for long. The popular golden-colored pothos are known as Epipremnum Aureum scientifically. 

Being a beginner in growing houseplants, Epipremnum Aureum also known as Hawaiian pothos would be a great choice for you. So, let’s proceed to know how to grow & care for Epipremnum Aureum ‘Hawaiin Pothos’ at home easily. 

Quick takeaways:

Scientific NameEpipremnum aureum ‘Hawaiian’
Common NameHawaiian Pothos
LightMedium indirect sunlight
Wateringonly water the plant if you find the topsoil of dry
Temperature64-77°F (18°C to 25°C)
Hardiness Zone11, 12
Humidity50-70%
Soil TypeLoose, quick-draining
Soil pH5.5-7 (neutral to mildly acidic)
FertilizingA balanced feed once a month in spring and summer
RepottingEvery 2 years
PruningBeginning of the growing season
PropagationRoot in water
ToxicityToxic to humans and pets
Mature Size72 inches as a houseplant
Bloom TimeNo flowering

About Epipremnum Aureum

Ever heard of Epipremnum Aureum? If not, no worries! We will direct you shortly. Epipremnum Aureum is also known as Hawaiin pothos which is one of the favorite choices of every gardener. 

It tends to develop green-colored heart-shaped leaves with heavy foliage that attracts visitors. It originated from the south pacific and some people even called it giant Hawaiian pothos. 

It is a climbing plant that will grow on trees that support its leaves to maintain its size. They are not too demanding when it comes to maintaining them.  

Epipremnum Aureum ‘Hawaiian Pothos

How to Grow Epipremnum Aureum ‘Hawaiian Pothos’? 

Through stem cuttings:

Step 1- First, you have to collect your materials like scissors, containers, water, old plants, etc. 

Step 2- Take a stem from the mother plant including 2-3 leaves on it. 

Step 3– Additionally, you can dip the cuttings in the water and add some fertilizer to it. 

Step 4- Then, after observing its growth at 2 inches, it’s time to plant it.

Step 5– Take a good container and add well-drained soil to it and add sprouts to it. 

Step 6- Do not cover them wholly, place them in a warm place to grow well. 

Step 7– East-facing window would be good for them and when they grow more, then you can put them in bright but indirect sunlight. 

Caring for Epipremnum Aureum ‘Hawaiin Pothos’

Epipremnum Aureum or Hawaiin Pothos are not the common species that you can grow, they come in these houseplants that serve you as best as you can expect from them. So, why not maintain them to enjoy their benefits? 

Let’s move to see some of its caring tips: 

Sunlight needs

  • One of the requirements of Epipremnum Aureum is a sufficient amount of sunlight. 
  • They need bright, indirect sunlight that comes near the trees.
  • Make sure your plant is not getting full sun as it will harm its leaves and growth.
  • Try to move them sometimes to low light and shade to maintain the balance. 

Watering needs 

  • For giving water, dip a finger in the soil to check its moisture and if it’s dry, then it’s the right time to water Epipremnum Aureum.
  • These plants prefer to be dry than to remain wet.
  • During the time of winter, you do not have to water them regularly.
  • When they tend to droop, then they are giving you a signal that they are thirsty, so water them. 

Soil needs

  • A good potting mix will suit great to Epipremnum Aureum.
  • Add some perlite, peat moss, and organic compost to it for more results.
  • Do not let the soil wet, the pH level of the soil should be between 5.5-7.
  • You can add coconut coir to the soil and mix it so that the plant grows healthy.

Temperature needs

  • Epipremnum Aureum tends to grow between the ideal temperature of 60-90°F.
  • If you are comfortable with your room temperature, then will be happier too.
  • If you are growing it indoors, then try to avoid fans from the plants and it can harm its vegetation.
  • It can not tolerate temperatures less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity needs

  • When it comes to humidity conditions, then they prefer moist areas to thrive.
  • You can even place them outside for natural moist air.
  • Mist the plants 2-3 times a week by using filtered water. 
  • 50-70% range of humidity level will suit Epipremnum Aureum to grow.

Pruning needs

  • It is essential to prune off the leaves of the plants occasionally.
  • As you maintain yourself, it is important to remove all the affected and dead leaves from the plant.
  • It shapes the plant but make sure to use clean and sterilized scissors.
  • When they are growing, avoid pruning at that time.

Fertilizer needs

  • A proper supply of fertilizer is important and less or more can harm the plant’s growth.
  • Ensure to use balanced fertilizer of Hawaiian pothos which is especially for the houseplants. 
  • They are not heavy feeders so simple organic matter would also be enough. 
  • Fertilize them one time a month after they come from their growing season. 

Common issues of pests and diseases

Like you cherish the beauty of Hawaiian pothos, it comes along with some issues too such as attacks of pests and diseases. This is because:

  • You overwater the plant by feeding it more water than it requires which directly invites the pests to suck the fluid and satisfy their hunger. 
  • Overfertilization too leads to the plant’s destruction4 by inviting mealybugs to the plants. 
  • All you have to do is to treat the plant by using neem oil on the plant otherwise it will cause root rot in the pothos.
  • Also, making use of insecticidal soap would be good for the plant. 

Growing Problems:

The following are some growing problems that you can say while growing Epipremnum aureum ‘Hawaiian’:

  • In case you find the leaves of the plant showing distinctive yellow variegation then this could be due to providing the plant excess of Sunlight. In this case, you need to move the plant from that location to a shadier place. 
  • In the dropping condition of leaves, you need to check the soil condition of the plant and if it is too wet then you need to stop watering the plant and if it is dry then you need to water the plant more frequently.
  • In case the leaf’s edges turn Brown and crispy it indicates it is a cooler place for the plant and that case moves the plant to a warmer spot.
  • If the leaves of the plant are turning yellow which indicates the quantity of fertilizers is more so you need to cut off the frequency of the fertilizer.

Toxicity of Hawaiian Pothos:

The Epipremnum Aureum pothos plants are toxic to both humans and animals as they contain calcium oxalate. The toxicity level is low but it doesn’t mean that it cannot harm you or your pet. In case eating them in large quantities will result in serious problems, especially for pets or toddlers

For Humans:

The Epipremnum Aureum pothos plant is toxic to humans. It is common for adults will not eat them but you need to be careful if you are having children in your home as sometimes by mistake they can eat them which will cause swelling on their lips, tongue, and mouth and they can also begin to vomit. 

If your child has eaten it by mistake then you need to take your child to the emergency room as soon as possible. And do keep the plant away from the reach of your kids.

For Pets:

The Epipremnum Aureum plants is toxic for pets, especially cats and dogs, so you need to be aware if you have pets in your home and take all the precautions so that they don’t eat them. In case your pets have eaten even a small part of the leaves of your plant they may suffer from swelling tongue and throat that will make it difficult to breathe and they may also start vomiting. 

In these symptoms, you need to take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible for medical care. You need to keep the plant away from the reach of the pets. 

How to Grow & Care for Epipremnum Aureum ‘Hawaiian Pothos’ (2023)

Common Problems With Hawaiian Pothos

Growing up Epipremnum Aureum Hawaiian pothos may be easy but that does not mean you neglect the signs that will make the plant die. The following are some signs indicating that you need to take care of the plants:

Black Spots:

The plants will show black spots on leaves that will be due to overwatering that leads to root rot condition. So you need to dry out the soil first and then water the plants. 

Brown Tips:

The Epipremnum Aureum plant turning its leaves brown is given to signs to lesser the frequency of watering the plant. You need to give a gap between watering and drying out the soil otherwise the tips and edges of the leaves will turn brown and might start curling. 

Wrapping up the context 

In this guide, you come to know about how to grow and care for Epipremnum Aureum, also called Hawaiian pothos. It tends to develop green-colored heart-shaped leaves with heavy foliage that attracts visitors. It originated from the South Pacific and some people even called it giant Hawaiian pothos. I hope you are clear with the process of growing Hawaiian pothos and how to maintain them. For any queries, you can scroll down the guide and I know you will be clear. 

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening!

Anna Scott

Anna Scott loves gardening and has been doing it for a long time. She wants to help new gardeners learn from her experience. Through her writing, she shares tips and advice on how to make gardens beautiful. Anna hopes her words will inspire new gardeners to succeed.

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