Epipremnum Aureum ‘Jessenia’, commonly known as Jessenia Pothos, is a beautiful, popular houseplant that’s known for its dark green, heart-shaped foliage that’s marked with yellow and green patterns.
This plant isn’t just popular for its beautiful foliage; it’s also incredibly low- maintenance. If planted in the proper conditions, Jessenia Pothos will grow slowly but surely, becoming a bushy, viney plant.
In this article, we’ll go over Jessenia Pothos’ distinctive features as well as the conditions that’ll allow it to thrive. We’ll also give you tips on how to maintain it efficiently.
Jessenia Pothos Features
Jessenia Pothos isn’t just unique because of its gorgeous foliage; there are other aspects that help it stand out from other Pothos, from flowering and fragrance to growth and size.
Flowering
Due to a genetic impairment, Epipremnum Aureum plants are shy-flowering plants that’ll almost never bloom, whether they’re cultivated indoors or outdoors.
Nevertheless, they can flower under the proper conditions. First and foremost, you shouldn’t expect it to bloom during the vegetative phase.
During the blooming phase, Jessenia Pothos may produce a number of cream-colored spathe flowers.
If the Jessenia Pothos is grown indoors, it may never produce flowers. However, outdoors or in the wild, the plant can grow in size comfortably and receive enough nutrients to flower.
Keep in mind that there’s no natural way to encourage flower growth in Jessenia Pothos. Through artificial hormone supplements, this shy plant can bloom.
Fragrance
The Jessenia Pothos itself doesn’t have a distinctive smell. Additionally, because it doesn’t usually flower, it doesn’t have a fragrance.
Growth
Compared to other pothos types, Jessenia Pothos has a slow growth rate. This is due to the fact that the Jessenia Pothos is a variegated plant. Its two-toned leaves have low chlorophyll levels, which limits the plant’s ability to photosynthesize.
This actually makes Jennesia Pothos low-maintenance, and you won’t have to worry about constant repotting.
Size
Despite being a slow grower, Jessenia pothos can grow up to somewhere between 30 and 50 feet in the wild. However, when grown indoors, Jessenia Pothos can only grow up to 10 feet.
What Does Jessenia Pothos Need?
Jessenia Pothos is generally not demanding and can adapt well to most environments. However, there are some ideal conditions that can make your Jessenia Pothos grow vigorously and give its foliage vibrant colors.
Light Requirements
Jessenia Pothos can handle different light levels, ranging from bright, indirect light to low light.
However, it’s preferable to place the Jessenia Pothos somewhere with medium to bright, indirect light, where it’ll be able to maintain its shiny, variegated foliage.
Low Light
Although Jessenia Pothos can tolerate low light, it might affect its foliage. If it’s placed in dark areas or receives too little light for a prolonged period of time, two things may happen to the foliage:
- The lighter parts of the foliage will fade
- The leaves will turn mostly into the darker green shade
The dark green parts of the foliage have an abundance of chlorophyll, which helps the plant photosynthesize.
On the other hand, the paler parts have low chlorophyll levels, which makes them unable to produce energy for the plant.
This is why when the Jessenia Pothos receives little to no light, it reacts by allowing more green to take over the leaves’ more light-colored parts to create more energy.
Direct Light
Avoid placing Jessenia Pothos under direct sunlight. This is the one light condition that it can’t tolerate.
If Jessenia Pothos is placed under direct sunlight for a long time, its foliage may start to pale in color and eventually scorch.
It should be noted that the Jessenia Pothos’ foliage won’t change color as soon as it’s placed somewhere with less than ideal lighting. One of the advantages of Jessenia Pothos is that it can maintain its color under different light conditions for a while.
Temperature
Jessenia Pothos’ most ideal temperature is around 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, its growth won’t be affected if the temperature fluctuates 5 degrees above or below the normal.
Similar to its light requirements, Jessenia Pothos doesn’t tolerate too high or too low temperatures. It can thrive in a broad temperature range so long as the temperature doesn’t rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and doesn’t drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hot Weather
Jessenia Pothos can’t thrive in extremely high temperatures. As a result, any temperature higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit can stunt the plant’s growth.
Moreover, if the temperature abruptly goes from high to moderate, the Jessenia Pothos’ foliage might suffer from discoloration.
Cold Weather
The Jessenia Pothos can endure temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything under may jeopardize its health because it’s not frost-tolerant.
Therefore, if you plan to grow your Jessenia Pothos outdoors, you can plant it in a container. This will help you transport it back indoors if the temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
Because Jessenia Pothos belongs to the Araceae family, it grows and thrives well in high humidity. A humidity level around 50% and 70% is ideal for the Jessenia Pothos to prosper.
Nevertheless, the Jessenia Pothos can adapt to relatively low humidity as well. If you plant it somewhere dry or during the winter, a light misting once or twice a week can protect your Jessenia Pothos’ foliage from browning.
Watering
When it comes to watering, the Jessenia Pothos isn’t very demanding. If it’s planted indoors, the Jessenia Pothos can be watered every three to seven days. If it’s planted outdoors, you should water it every two to four days.
How to Tell If Jessenia Pothos Needs Watering
No harm will be done to a Jessenia Pothos that doesn’t get watered often. It can tolerate a little bit of drought. However, if Jessenia Pothos is neglected for a long period of time, it might start to show visible stress signs.
A dehydrated Jessenia Pothos may start to droop and look sluggish. Its foliage may lose its vibrancy and dry out.
How to Tell If Jessenia Pothos Is Overwatered
There’s one thing that the Jessenia Pothos can’t stand, and that’s being overwatered. Some Jessenia Pothos owners may worry that they’re not watering it enough and end up drenching it in water.
As a rule of thumb, it’s better to underwater a Jessenia Pothos than over water it. The foliage of an overwatered Jessenia Pothos may start to wilt and turn yellow. In this case, you’ll need to:
- Stop watering the plant
- Transform it to another pot with dry soil to encourage drainage
- Lower humidity
Once the Jessenia Pothos is dry again, it’ll perk up. You can start watering it again when it’s completely dry.
Soil Requirements
Jessenia Pothos can be planted and grown in normal garden soil. However, using potting soil can reduce the risk of pests and soil-borne diseases that can come with garden soil.
Through the soil, you can ensure that your Jessenia Pothos thrives beautifully. Look for substrate that’s slightly acidic with pH from 6.1 to 6.5. Adding organic compost or using fertile soil can boost your plant’s growth rate as well.
Drainage
Drainage is incredibly important for Jessenia Pothos because it doesn’t tolerate having wet roots. You can add perlite to enhance the soil’s drainage system.
The pot you plant the Jessenia Pothos is important, too. It should have drainage holes that’ll get rid of any excess water. This way the soil won’t get saturated with water, and your Jessenia Pothos can stay hydrated enough.
How to Know Whether the Soil Is Too Dry or Waterlogged?
All you need is a finger to figure out what your Jessenia Pothos’ soil needs.
Check the soil by dipping your finger down the soil until it reaches the base knuckle. If the soil feels dry, then the Jessenia Pothos needs to be watered. However, if the soil is moist, then it won’t need immediate watering.
A moisture meter can give you accurate results, so it’ll be incredibly useful.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer can help Jessenia Pothos grow optimally. Some potting soils contain an initial fertilizer dose. However, some don’t contain fertilizer at all.
Potting Soil With Fertilizer
Potting soil that contains fertilizer can last from a few weeks to a few months, depending on its type. You shouldn’t supply the soil with any additional fertilizer until the dose runs out.
After the dose runs out, you can start adding fertilizer to the soil when the Jessenia Pothos needs it.
Potting Soil Without Fertilizer
Potting soil that doesn’t contain fertilizer can’t provide the Jessenia Pothos with the nutrients it needs to grow efficiently.
If you go for potting soil that doesn’t contain fertilizer, you need to add it to the soil yourself. This way you can guarantee that Jessenia Pothos grows and thrives.
How Often Should Jessenia Pothos Be Fed?
The Jessenia Pothos should be fed fertilizer once a month during the growing season, which starts in spring and lasts until the tail end of summer.
The amount of fertilizer, however, depends on the amount of nutrients in the soil. As a general rule, less is more. You can increase the fertilizer dosage until Jessenia Pothos becomes vibrant and grows quickly.
A soil test kit can tell you what nutrients the soil is lacking as well as pH levels. This can make it easier to determine what the soil needs or doesn’t need.
Over-Feeding
Excess fertilizer can accelerate Jessenia Pothos’ growth but its root system may not grow as quickly. As a result, it won’t be able to supply itself with enough water.
What’s more, over-fertilization can increase the salt concentration in the soil, disrupting the nutrients and microorganisms in the soil. This can also result in root burn and leaf scorching.
Jessenia Pothos Maintenance
Jessenia Pothos doesn’t require constant upkeep. For that reason, the tasks of pruning, transplanting, repotting, and propagating may not be high maintenance.
Pruning
The Jessenia Pothos may not need frequent pruning because it’s a slow grower. However, if the vines become too long, they can be pruned.
Pruning can help you maintain the size and shape of the Jessenia Pothos. You can also trim any unusually smaller leaves.
How to Prune Jessenia Pothos
Even though you can prune a Jessenia Pothos any time, the most ideal time to do that is during spring. This marks the growing season’s beginning, which will allow your plant to recover and stimulate healthy growth.
When it comes to the leaves, prune any discolored or dead leaves. The Jessenia Pothos will be able to focus on the healthier parts, rather than expending energy unnecessarily.
As for the stem, trim any diseased or leafless stems. You’ll need to cut right above the node because this will stimulate new stem growth and give it the chance to branch out.
Reasons to Prune Jessenia Pothos
You’ll most likely find yourself wanting to prune Jessenia Pothos to revitalize or for size.
Revitalization
To encourage healthy growth, prune Jessenia Pothos as far back as two inches from the soil. This is usually done when Jessenia Pothos has been growing indoors for years.
Size
Although Jessenia Pothos rarely grows taller than 10 feet indoors, it can become a bit leggy.
This may not be a problem; it may simply be a matter of preference. However, keep in mind that if you have pets, it is best to prune those legs since Jessenia Pothos can be toxic if ingested.
Transplanting and Repotting
As Jessenia Pothos grows, there will come a time when it’ll become rootbound and need to be transplanted into a bigger container. One telltale sign is when the plant’s roots become visible through the pot’s drainage holes.
As with pruning, the best time to transplant or repot Jessenia Pothos is during spring. Even if it becomes rootbound in the fall, it’s still better to wait until spring to move it.
Here’s what you’ll need to do to transplant or repot Jessenia Pothos:
- Add fresh potting soil up to a third of a container that’s two inches bigger
- Carefully uproot the plant from its container
- Remove the soil stuck to it, and check for any root rot. If you find any, trim with a sterilized knife
- Plant the plant’s root ball in the new container
- Make sure to water it and place it in its original spot
When transplanted or repotted, Jessenia Pothos may undergo shock, which can affect its growth. That’s why it’s better to do this early spring, so it can bounce back quickly and start growing again.
Propagation
Jessenia Pothos are quite easy to propagate. This can be done while you’re pruning the plant because all you need is a stem cutting.
Here’s how to propagate Jessenia Pothos step by step:
- Cut the stem cutting into six-inch pieces
- Put the smaller cuttings into a jar of water. This increases the chances of a successful propagation
- Change the water if it gets murky
- Plant the cutting in a new pot when the roots develop
- Water the soil and provide the same conditions as the original plant
If done in spring, the Jessenia Pothos can grow pretty quickly.
Pests and Diseases
Jessenia Pothos is unfortunately susceptible to pests and diseases. Nevertheless, they can be treatable and preventable.
Pests
Some of the pests that can attack Jessenia Pothos are mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and plant scales.
If your plant is infected, you can treat the affected area by wiping it with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. You can also spray neem oil or any insecticide to get rid of the pests.
Diseases
Jessenia Pothos is prone to moisture-related issues, including root rot and fungal disease.
Root Rot
If the Jessenia Pothos’ soil doesn’t drain moisture well, it can suffer from root rot. This can cause the foliage to turn yellow, and the plant may produce an acrid smell.
Therefore, it’s important to plant Jessenia Pothos in well-draining potting soil. You can add perlite to further improve the drainage system. Moreover, don’t overwater your Jessenia Pothos.
Fungal Disease
If the foliage of Jessenia Pothos doesn’t take the time to dry, the high humidity and the watering can result in fungal disease. The infected area may wilt and brown, and the leaves may darken to black.
This can be avoided by directly watering the soil, rather than misting the leaves.
In Conclusion
Jessenia Pothos makes for a great introduction into the world of plants for an inexperienced gardener, seeing as it’s easy to care for. Even professional gardeners appreciate Jessenia Pothos for its unique foliage.
While it’s pretty low-maintenance, remember to check on your Jessenia Pothos and make sure that it’s comfortable in its environment. Even if it doesn’t show at first, persistent poor conditions may seriously harm the plant.