Many people love plants but don’t have the time to care for them. This is where neon pothos comes in! A neon pothos plant is a type of philodendron that doesn’t need much attention at all, making it perfect for busy homeowners. If you’re thinking about adding a neon pothos plant into your home or office, this article will provide information on what neon pothoses are and how they should be cared for.
Neon pothos, also known as devil’s ivy or golden pothos or commonly known as its scientific name Epipremnum Aureum. It’s a small and humble plant with a big personality that can be found in many homes. It thrives on neglect and is easy to take care of. Neon pothos is very resilient, this would be the main reason you don’t have to spend hours caring for them.
A fun fact about neon pothos is that they like to climb upwards so when you’re giving neon pothos a home, make sure there is something for them to reach towards.
Origins of Neon Pothos Plant
Origins of Neon Pothos PlantThe neon pothos plant is a climbing plant and a type of epiphytic orchid native to tropical Asia. While neon pothos can be found throughout the world, it derives its name from the neon colours of India’s Kerala Province where they are frequently used as landscaping plants. The use of neon pothos has expanded to other parts of Asia and Europe over time, and neon pothos plants are now grown throughout the world.
The vines and aerial roots are not parasitic, but use their stems for support while climbing on other plants or trees in its natural environment of the rainforest canopy. Leaves can be up to 12 inches long with attractive green-and-white variegation.
Many neon pothos varieties exist, but the most common are spiral neon pothos and Indian neon pothos.
Neon Pothos Plant Care Guide
Neon Pothos is an excellent plant for those new to caring for plants because they are so forgiving of neglect! They are also able to do well with infrequent watering and feedings. Read on for the full neon pothos plant guide.
Soil
Soil for neon green pothos should be well-drained and have a mixture of potting soil, peat moss, sand or perlite. This is an excellent plant for those new to caring for plants because neon pothos prefer infrequent watering and feedings.
Soil for neon pothos should be moist, but not wet. Soil for neon pothos should be moist, but not wet. It’s important to water neon pothos very thoroughly and then allows the soil to dry out between watering intervals. They are an excellent plant for those new to caring for plants because neon pothos is so forgiving of neglect!
The neon pothos plant is not picky about soil type or pH level as long as it drains well. It prefers acidic soils so an application of peat moss every year provides good drainage and acidity.
Lighting
Neon Pothos llight can thrive in low-light conditions. However, neon pothos will grow best with at least some indirect light throughout the day. An east or west window is preferred over a south-facing one since it provides more natural sunlight and reduces heat during the summer months. Artificial lighting may also be used to supplement neon pothos needs, as neon pothos do not need a lot of light to survive.
The neon pothos plant should be placed away from direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn. Plants that are grown in too much light may also have burnt areas on their leaves and stems. You will know neon plants require more shade if the ends of the leaves start to turn brown or yellow.
Watering
Neon pothos should be watered from above, rather than below the soil surface. Water until it comes out of the drainage holes in the bottom of your pot and then allows neon pothos to drain for a few hours before watering again.
They also prefer infrequent feedings when compared to other houseplants with neon pothos, which makes them perfect for those new to caring for plants.
With neon pothos, you can use a mixture of water (rainwater or distilled) and plant food diluted at half strength during the months when neon pothos is actively growing. In winter, feed neon pothos every two weeks with a less dilute solution to encourage growth. Since they are to go dormant during this season, reduce watering until they begin actively growing again.
Temperature
Neon pothos prefers warm temperatures around 75-85˚F, with nighttime temperatures of 55-65˚. They do not like cold drafts and are apt to die if exposed to such conditions for long periods of time. So keep neon pothos plants away from drafts, as they do not like cold air or sudden changes in temperature.
Exposure to cold drafts for a prolonged period of time may cause them to experience major leaf loss. If this occurs, get them out of the draft and reduce their exposure by keeping them in an area with less air circulation such as near a stationary window or behind some curtains.
Humidity
As neon pothos is a tropical plant, it thrives in humid environments and does not tolerate dryness well. The leaves will start to lose their bright green coloration, turn brown and be more prone to falling off without sufficient humidity around them. If you’re experiencing these signs of stress from low humidity levels, try spraying your neon pothos with water once or twice a day.
Fertiliser
Fertilize neon pothos monthly during the growing season with a mild fertilizer appropriate for houseplants, following label instructions. They prefer to be fertilized only once a month during their active growth cycle from April to September.
Occasionally applying Epsom salt or diluted liquid seaweed will help neon pothos grow lush and full.
Neon pothos also benefit from a light feeding of liquid kelp every month during their active growth cycle.
Propagation and Growth
Neon pothos propagates easily from cuttings, which will root within two to three weeks in a cup of water and simple rooting hormone.
Propagation can also be achieved by dividing neon pothos plants when they become overcrowded. This is most effective in the spring, right after new growth appears. It may take a year for them to attain their former size and vigor.
They also grow well from neon pothos seeds that can be started indoors or out.
Outdoors, neon pothos grown as ground cover over large areas where they are not in competition with taller plants. Outdoors neon pothos will spread and grow tall, but can be easily trimmed to maintain the desired size.
Pruning
Pruning is needed once in a while as they grow taller than most houseplants and it is easy. In the summertime, prune once or twice a month to avoid plants getting too long and tall for their pots. Prune neon pothos when the plant is dry. The best time to trim neon pothos plants in the wintertime is just before spring growth starts as they are preparing for their blooming cycle and you don’t want to cut off any budding flowers or leaves that might be coming out at this stage of neon pothos care.
Pruning neon pothos can be done in different ways. You can cut the top of neon pothos back as a way to control height and encourage bushy growth, or you could remove some of the taller lateral branches for various looks.
Pruning neon pothos is best handled with shears but if necessary, sharp pruning scissors will work.
Repotting
Neon pothos will still require repotting from time to time, and repotting neon pothos is a bit different from repotting other plants.
If you’re unsure about when to repot neon pothos, some signs that it’s time for neon pothos to be moved include: the plant has outgrown its container; roots are popping through the drainage hole or have become entangled; the neon pothos roots are visible through the soil.
Luckily, neon pothos can be put in just about any container as long as it has a drainage hole and you have some pebbles or small rocks to place on top of your new root base either inside or outside of the pot for air circulation.
Toxicity
Neon pothos is not poisonous to humans or pets.
Neon Pothos Variegated
Neon pothos is a variety of the species Epipremnum Aureum. These plants are very sensitive to light, so they should be kept in an area with bright but indirect lighting throughout the day. If neon pothos gets too much direct sunlight it will turn brown or yellow and eventually die off. All plant varieties can take too much light, so don’t be afraid to move neon pothos around if it is getting more than one hour of direct sunlight a day. variegated neon pothos
Common Issues with Neon Pothos
Common Issues with Neon PothosSome neon pothos plants are more finicky than others and may experience problems with getting enough light, which can cause them to turn brown. If your neon pothos is not receiving adequate sun exposure, the leaves will become a darker green colour or even yellow. Areas that don’t receive much sunlight usually have weaker stems as well.
It’s important though that you do your research before purchasing a neon pothos as there are many different varieties of neon pothos available and each has their own specific needs.
Some neon pothos varieties may not be able to grow in pots and need to be grown in a garden. If neon pothos is put into too small of a container, the plant’s growth will slow down and may eventually die from lack of nutrients or sunlight.
As neon pothos likes moisture, you should water it when the soil feels dry to touch and not wait until it has gone completely dry.
Another common issue by neon pothos is the neon pothos vine. The neon pothos vines make it difficult to maintain their shape and control its growth, as they will often grow diagonally across surfaces or up on any nearby plants.
If your neon pothos is in a pot, you can tie down the neon pothos vines until they turn into strong enough roots to support themselves and then remove the neon pothos vines. Other issues you may face neon pothos plants being too small for the container they’re in and neon pothos vines growing out of control.
If your neon pothos plant has a brown or yellow patch on it, this is usually due to lack of sunlight.
Neon photos can also face problems from aphids and mealybugs. Mealybugs are very small, white insects that love neon pothos plants. They are usually found on the underside of leaves and will leave a sticky residue when they’re touched. Aphids can be red or brown in colour and often appear to have wings – even though it’s not true – as well as sucking out neon photos sap from their stems.
To avoid mealybugs and aphids, it should be sprayed with a pesticide or you can purchase neon pothos insecticidal soap, which is available at most home supply stores.
Tips for Keeping a Neon Pothos Happy
Neon pothos plants love to have their leaves lightly brushed. Plants absorb the oils on our skin and will help with neon pothos’s health in this way.
If you notice a neon pothos turning brown or yellow, it could be due to illness or too much sun exposure so ensure that your neon pothos is getting enough light and is watered properly.
When neon pothos is in a pot make sure to keep the soil moist, but not wet as too much water can cause root rot or fungal diseases.
Additionally, if you don’t want your neon pothos leaves touching one another when they grow then use some horticultural fleece to keep them apart. When neon pothos has finished blooming, cut off the flowering stem with scissors and wait until it starts to produce new growth before cutting again.
It’s important not to fertilize neon pothos too much as that can cause an excess of nutritious material in the soil which is unhealthy for plants.
There are a few other things that neon pothos don’t tolerate very well. For one, neon pothos cannot stand extreme heat or direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time without being conditioned to it first. As such, you should avoid putting your neon pothos in environments with temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), or in direct sunlight for more than a few hours at a time.
Additionally, neon pothos also doesn’t like being uprooted from its pot and transplanted into another one. Even if you are providing the right temperature with your neon pothos new home, it may take quite some time
Also in the summer, trim back any brown leaves on bright green stems near the top of the plant so that it can grow new tips and branches.
If neon pothos is grown in a pot, make sure the drainage holes are not blocked by pebbles or figurines to prevent root rot from over-watering.
Neon Pothos Frequently Asked Questions
How much light do neon pothos need?
Neon pothos like low light, they need about 1200 footcandles. Keep neon pothos away from windows that get direct sun. Place neon pothos under a fixture with fluorescent lighting or in a room with no sunlight.
How do you take care of a neon pothos plant?
Neon pothos plants like to be watered once a week. They also require fertilizer every three weeks for optimal growth. Use a water-soluble garden monthly product, an organic liquid, or slow-release granules depending on the season and neon pothos type you have (there are several).
Spraying neon pothos with a diluted bleach solution to remove any insects, especially aphids.
Keep neon pothos away from drafts as they can dry out easily and get insect infestations more quickly than other plants.
How big does a neon pothos get?
Small neon pothos can grow to about ten inches wide. Larger neon pothos will be around thirty-four inches wide and up.
How long does neon pothos take to grow?
Neon pothos can grow from an inch a month to four inches in one year. The neon pothos plant won’t grow very rapidly because they like low light.
Why do neon pothos die?
Neon pothos is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies.
If neon pothos gets too much water or has hard time breathing (ie in a draft) they will die quickly. To prevent this from happening ensure neon pothos is watered once every week with enough light and that neon pothos is in a well-ventilated area.
If neon pothos is wilting, they need more water and if neon pothos have dry leaves from not enough light or too much direct sun, turn the plant around to give it an even amount of sunlight exposure. If neon pothos plants decay quickly, remove and replace neon pothos with new stem cuttings.
Do Neon pothos like to be misted?
Neon pothos should not be misted. Misting neon pothos causes the leaves to grow more slowly and can cause plant rot in neon pothos plants with soft leaves (like African violets).
Is Neon pothos creeper?
No neon pothos is not a creeper. Neon pothos likes to stay low and can be planted near the floor or on their side for support if need be.
Why is my neon pothos yellow?
If neon pothos has yellow leaves, the plant may be getting too much water or not enough light. The neon pothos is also being pushed by drafts and they should be moved to a room with more circulation.
What is wrong with my neon pothos?
If neon pothos is wilting, they need more water and if neon pothos has dry leaves from not enough light or too much direct sun, turn the plant around to give it an even amount of sunlight exposure.
Conclusion
Pothos are a great plant for beginners because they’re so easy to care for. These low-maintenance plant can thrive in low-light conditions, which means you don’t need to invest in any expensive grow lights or other special equipment! Plus, these indoor plants only need watering about every other week! They also produce a sweet-smelling fragrance, and their leaves often resemble the shape of hearts! So, if you love plants and are looking for an easy to care for plant that can thrive in a variety of places, then the neon pothos is perfect. Happy gardening and planting!
Here are other indoor garden favourites: Variegated Monstera and Philodendron Bipinnatifidum.
