Neon Pothos Care Guide
Neon Pothos requires soil rich in organic matter that drains well but not excessively. The roots need time to absorb the moisture from the soil, but not so much time that the roots can drown! You can use any reputable soil mixture containing organic composted material and does not contain water-retentive crystals.
Neon Pothos
If you are a beginner who loves beautiful plants but are afraid of commitment, this lush, leafy tropical evergreen is perfect. Its heart-shaped leaves will undoubtedly allure you, but its placement at the top of the easy-care plant list will make you fall in love. They also help clean — the air, that is! These indoor vines have unbelievable resilience and the ability to grow where many houseplants cannot, like in darker corners of your home or office. Train them to climb up trellises and poles or can be left to dangle over the edges of tables, shelves, and countertops. Neon Pothos are not only easy-care plants but their beauty and grace should not be overlooked.
Light
Epipremnum prefers medium to bright indirect sunlight but can live in lower light conditions. However, the leaves will be smaller, and the vines will become leggy if the light is not bright enough. Neon Pothos will keep their vibrant colors if they receive more than 4 hours of indirect sunlight daily. If your space is light challenged, try using LED (light-emitting diode) lights as a supplement light source.
Water
Water the soil thoroughly after the soil is almost parched. When the leaves start wilting, it is the best time to water them. Water more often in the growing season and reduce the frequency during winter. If the soil becomes compacted, soak the entire root system (root ball) in a bucket of water for 10 minutes to help loosen up the soil.
Soil
Neon Pothos requires soil rich in organic matter that drains well but not excessively. The roots need time to absorb the moisture from the soil, but not so much time that the roots can drown! You can use any reputable soil mixture containing organic composted material and does not contain water-retentive crystals.
Temperature
Most average household temperature ranges will be adequate for these indoor plants. However, if they remain in temperatures under 55℉, their growth will stunt. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can be fatal to these tropical indoor plants.
Humidity
As with most tropical indoor plants, epipremnum will benefit from higher humidity but will do fine in average household air. Learn how to increase the humidity for your houseplants!
Fertilizer
This genus of plants highly benefits from regular fertilizing. Use a weak solution of a complete liquid fertilizer every two weeks throughout the growing season. Do not fertilize during the winter months. Sometimes your indoor plants will grow all year long. If this is the case, fertilize them during this time with a ¼-strength diluted liquid fertilizer, or top dress the soil with worm castings or nutrient-rich compost.
Growth Rate
Neon Pothos is one of the fastest-growing plants. If they get the care they require, the plants will grow as long as you let them! Amazing, right?
Pet Friend or Foe
The Neon Pothos is toxic if ingested. Please keep it away from your pets and small children. Foe!
Pro Tips
- To encourage the foliage to become fuller, trim back the foliage.
- Plant a few smaller plants into one larger pot to create a full plant.
- Encourage your pothos to climb on unexpected structures like staircases and ladders.
- Rotate your pothos ¼-turn once a week to keep a balanced, full figure.
Neon Pothos Care Guide
Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’ better known as the Neon Pothos, is a cousin of the Pothos but his care is very similar. This cheerful chap appreciates a bit of warmth and dislikes wet feet. New leaves emerge bright neon lime and slowly fade to emerald over time, giving a gorgeous ombre effect. We give this chap an LTLC rating of 2 out of 5. Easy care. More care details below.
Temperature and Light
This low maintenance chap will adapt to low to medium light levels, but thrives in bright, indirect light. No direct light on those neon leaves though or he could burn. He’s a sucker for humidity but will tolerate drier air if his soil’s kept moist. Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries are favourite spots. A humidifier in winter is a smart idea too, especially if you use your fire place or run a heat pump, or have an HRV or DVS system going, which can all dry out the air.
Soil and Water
Like many Pothos, evenly moist rather than soggy or wet is the way to go. Avoid letting them fully dry out between watering. Depending on your conditions, around weekly in summer and fortnightly in winter is about right, but judge it based on the top couple of cm’s of soil being dry to tell you he’s ready for a drink. He’s more tolerant than many if you do miss a water or two, but really not going to like being over-watered. When watering, let the water drain out fully before returning to his saucer or cover pot to avoid wet feet.
When re-potting, go for a standard free-draining potting mix. I use my standard mix of about 3/4 potting soil and 1/4 perlite or pumice. Pothos aren’t typically a hungry plant, so frequent fertilising isn’t a must, but a feed every month or so in summer will be appreciated. We use Groconut at 1/2 the dose the packet says with great results.
Neon Pothos pro tips and problem solving
This guy’s a pretty easy-care, low-maintenance chap and more tolerant of various light, temperature and humidity conditions than others in his family. If you do have a problem though, here’s the most likely causes:
Drooping or yellow leaves
Drooping leaves is normally a sign of too much water but if you’ve let your Pothos get bone dry, it can also be a sign of thirst. Check your soil to find out which. If the leaves droop no matter what you do though, he’s likely telling you it’s time to upgrade his pot. Pop him out and check those roots in case he’s just root bound.
Brown tips or edges
A common sign your air is too dry. Up the humidity or move him to your bathroom, kitchen or laundry and that should put a stop to those brown tips.
Small or pale leaves
This guy wants plenty of bright, indirect or filtered light, otherwise you may find he puts out smaller, paler leaves or just won’t bother growing for you in protest.
Leggy or bare stems
Not usually a sign of something wrong, more just what this guy does if you let him. Regularly prune him back and new growth will appear bushier and closer together. Left un-pruned and dry though, and you could end up with bare stems near the soil and all the leaves at the ends. If you’re just not loving those long bare stems and you’re feeling brave, cut back to soil level and new stems will sprout.
Pothos propogation
I’ve found the Pothos easy to propogate. Take a stem cutting and root them in water first, or straight in to soil like I do, but it does depend on the time of year (you may find water propogation easier in winter than summer).
Pet safe?
Sadly no, all parts of the Neon Pothos are toxic if eaten and can irritate the lips, mouth and tongue. Best to get pets to the vet if they’ve chomped on your Pothos just to be safe. Pop your Pothos safely out of reach of pets and kids (they’re not safe for us to eat either).
LTLC Rating (Love That Leaf Care Rating)
We rate the Neon Pothos a solid 2 out of 5. 1 being easy care, 5 being String of Pearls level fussiness (I have such a love/hate relationship with that plant, argh). The Neon Pothos however is an easy care intro to the Pothos and Philodendron family and will brighten up any room with his cheerful colours.