More commonly known as NJoy Pothos, Epipremnum Aureum is a member of the easy to enjoy Araceae family. This family is known for its unique, variegated foliage as well as its low maintenance.
NJoy Pothos is a tropical plant with green-colored foliage and cream to yellow variegation. It’s smaller than most members of the Pothos family. However, it makes up for it with its impressive trailing and climbing vines.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the different features of N’Joy. We’ll also discuss the most ideal conditions for it to grow and prosper. Lastly, we’ll offer you some maintenance tips that will help keep your Pothos thriving beautifully.
NJoy Pothos at First Glance
NJoy, like other Pothos, have aspects that set it apart from other plants, like flowering, fragrance, growth, and size.
Flowering
Members of the Epipremnum Aureum plants are shy-flowering plants due to a genetic impairment. Therefore, they almost never produce flowers indoors or outdoors.
However, in rare cases, NJoy Pothos can bloom inflorescences containing erect spadices covered by spathe flowers.
Under proper conditions and with the use of artificial hormone supplements, a Pothos established outdoors can grow big enough and receive enough nutrients to bloom.
Fragrance
N’Joy doesn’t produce any flowers, and therefore, doesn’t have fragrance. Even its foliage doesn’t have a unique smell.
Growth Rate
NJoy Pothos is among the Pothos variants that are known for their rapid growth rate. If it enjoys the right conditions, you can expect your Pothos to grow up to 12 inches a month during its growing season.
Though, the growth rate may be hampered if the NJoy Pothos is placed in low light. There’s also the possibility that the NJoy Pothos produces stems without leaves. In this case, it becomes leggy and may require some pruning.
Size
NJoy Pothos is quite compact. It can reach a height of six to nine inches, and its vines can trail up to ten feet.
However, the leaves are considerably smaller than other Pothos plants. As a result, it appears much bushier and fuller.
NJoy Pothos Requirements
NJoy Pothos is one of the easiest plants to take care of; it can adapt and grow gracefully in most environments. Nevertheless, creating an ideal environment for this houseplant can increase its growth rate and enhance its health.
Lighting
Like other Pothos varieties, epipremnum aureum can grow in a wide range of lighting conditions. However, it thrives in medium or bright, indirect light.
Direct Light
The one light condition that NJoy Pothos can’t tolerate is direct sunlight. So, try to avoid exposing it to direct light.
If NJoy Pothos sits for long under direct sunlight, the leaves may start to fade and scorch.
Low Light
NJoy Pothos can grow well in low-light environments. However, if it receives too little light, its vines may start to stretch out towards a source of light.
If you notice that your Pothos is too viney, make sure you place it somewhere well-lit. Chances are it’s not receiving enough light to produce energy.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for indoor NJoy Pothos is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. An outdoor NJoy Pothos will thrive in temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
These temperatures are quite similar to that inside of homes, so you may not need to do any drastic changes to create a suitable environment for NJoy Pothos.
One thing to note, though, is that constant temperature fluctuations may stress out the plant. Therefore, make sure that it’s not placed somewhere near air conditioning or heating units.
Humidity
‘NJoy’ enjoys tropical climate conditions. Therefore, it’ll thrive and grow optimally in a high humidity environment. Humidity levels between 50% and 70% can help NJoy Pothos prosper.
That said, it doesn’t mind being placed in low humidity levels. When the air is dry and cold, you can lightly mist the plant once or twice a week to ensure that it doesn’t wither.
Watering
Although NJoy Pothos isn’t very particular with its needs, watering it can be slightly tricky compared to other Pothos.
Just like other Pothos, the NJoy doesn’t need much water to survive. In warmer climates, NJoy Pothos can be watered every six to seven days. It should be watered less often during cold weather.
How to Tell If NJoy Pothos Needs Watering
NJoy Pothos tends to be forgiving when it’s not watered regularly. However, it thrives best in moist soil, so make sure that the soil never dries out completely.
When an NJoy Pothos is dehydrated, its leaves will start to curl up and brown at the edges.
How to Tell If NJoy Pothos Is Overwatered
While NJoy Pothos can tolerate a little bit of drying out, it can’t stand being overwatered.
The leaves of an overwatered NJoy Pothos may wilt and show signs of discoloration. If it’s not left to dry, NJoy Pothos can become prone to root rot.
Substrate
NJoy can grow just fine in any soil it’s planted in. Nonetheless, a good potting soil will improve the plant’s health and reduce any risks of pests and diseases.
Similar to other Pothos, NJoy doesn’t like sitting in waterlogged soil. That’s why the soil must have excellent water drainage. You can mix about 70% light soil to 30% perlite in a pot with drainage holes for maximum water drainage.
Fertilizing
NJoy Pothos is a light feeder, so it doesn’t need added fertilizer to grow well. However, most soils for indoor NJoy Pothos may not provide the essential nutrients it needs.
Therefore, a little bit of houseplant fertilizer once a month during the growing season can greatly improve the plant’s health.
If an NJoy Pothos isn’t growing fast, it’s advisable to check its environment before you add any fertilizer.
Over-Feeding
Saturating the plant’s soil with fertilizer can expose it to serious risks, and so it’s crucial to never feed the plant more than the recommended amount.
When NJoy Pothos is over-fertilized, its leaves may begin to display signs of discoloration and scorching. This is caused by an increase in the soil’s mineral concentration.
That’s why you should check the soil’s pH level and make sure that it doesn’t get acidic.
Pot Size and Type
A small pot of any material will suffice. What’s vital is that the pot has to have at least one drainage hole to prevent the NJoy Pothos’ soil from getting waterlogged.
When the NJoy outgrows its pot, repot it in a pot that’s two inches larger than the original. If you want to encourage rapid growth, place it in a container that matches the size you want your Pothos to achieve.
NJoy Pothos Maintenance
NJoy Pothos is among the easiest plants to take care of. You may find yourself pruning, transplanting, repotting, and propagating every now and then.
Pruning
Even though NJoy Pothos has a fast growth rate, it still doesn’t grow quick enough that it’ll require constant pruning.
How to Prune NJoy Pothos
NJoy Pothos is typically pruned during its growing season, from spring to early fall. This helps it recover and grow at a steady rate again.
What you need for pruning is a pair of sterilized scissors or shears.
To prune leaves, remove any yellowing or dying leaves at the nodes where they meet the stems.
If you’re looking to prune leggy vines, trim right above the node so that the node is at the end of the plant. Keeping the node will encourage healthy growth.
Why You Should Prune NJoy Pothos
There are several reasons why you would need to prune NJoy Pothos.
Leggy Vines
When a NJoy Pothos becomes leggy, with stretched-out vines and fewer leaves, this usually means that the plant isn’t receiving enough light and is reaching out towards the source.
In that case, trim the leggy vines and place your Pothos somewhere where it can receive bright, indirect light.
Discoloration
Yellowing leaves on NJoy Pothos is normal. All you have to do is prune them after you check that they can be removed without causing any tearing in the stems.
For aesthetics
Pruning an NJoy Pothos can be done purely for aesthetics. When you trim your plant, you can make it look much more full and bushy.
Transplanting and Repotting
NJoy Pothos will need to be transplanted and repotted into a bigger container when it becomes rootbound. You’ll find the Pothos’ roots poking out of the drainage holes when it grows beyond the size of its container.
Here are the steps to transplanting and repotting NJoy Pothos:
- Get a pot that’s no more than two inches greater than the original pot’s size.
- Fill up a third of the pot with new potting soil.
- Gently uproot the NJoy Pothos from its pot.
- Check for root rot and remove any excess soil.
- Plant the Pothos in the new pot.
- Place the plant in its original spot and water the soil.
Similar to other Pothos, NJoy Pothos can experience stress and shock when it’s transplanted and repotted. Therefore, it’s advisable to do this early spring so the Pothos can recover quickly.
Even if you notice that your plant has become rootbound earlier than spring, there’ll be no harm in waiting until the suitable time to transfer it.
Propagating
The propagation process of Epipremnum Aureum NJoy is incredibly simple. Here’s a step-by-step propagation guide:
- From your parent plant, grab a stem and cut slightly below the node.
- Place your cutting in room-temperature water with the node underwater. Make sure that any leaves are above the water surface.
- Transfer the plant to soil once roots have formed. This may take up to six weeks.
- Water the soil and place the plant somewhere where it can receive bright, indirect light.
Epipremnum Aureum Pests and Diseases
NJoy Pothos is quite resistant to pests and diseases. However, prolonged poor conditions can invite some unwanted insects and bacteria.
Pests
Mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites, and plant scales are among some of the pests that can infect an NJoy Pothos. These insects can cause leaf discoloration, wilting, and deformation to the stems.
If the NJoy Pothos is left untreated, it may not be able to last long.
To ensure that your NJoy Pothos isn’t infested, check regularly in between crevices and under the leaves. In case you find any pests, you can effectively get rid of them by using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Diseases
The two diseases that can afflict NJoy Pothos are root rot and bacterial wilt. Both of them are mostly caused by overwatering.
Root Rot
NJoy Pothos may suffer from root rot if they’re planted in poor-drainage soils and are constantly watered. Root rot may cause leaf yellowing or browning. The fragrance-less Pothos may even give off a putrid smell.
To protect NJoy Pothos from root rot, plant it in a well-draining soil and only water it when the soil is dry.
Bacterial Wilt
Bacterial wilt is a plant disease caused by the soil-borne bacterium, Ralstonia solanacearum. An NJoy Pothos that’s overwatered with damp leaves is the perfect environment for such bacteria to thrive.
Bacterial wilt can spread through the Pothos’ roots and may manifest itself in the leaves and stems. When infected, the leaves start to wilt and the veins in the stems turn black.
It can be quite difficult to treat an infected NJoy Pothos once it’s infected. To control the situation, you’ll need to:
- Uproot the infected plant.
- Get rid of the soil and disinfect the pot.
- Cut the affected area with a sanitized pair of shears.
- Replant the plant in the disinfected pot and new soil.
Bacterial wilt is especially severe in warm weather. You can avoid having to go through this by making sure that your NJoy Pothos isn’t overwatered. You can also forgo misting the plant directly to ensure that it’s not unnecessarily wet.
Frequently Asked Questions about NJoy Pothos
You might still have some questions left unanswered, so we’ve made it a point to address some of the most asked questions about NJoy Pothos.
Are NJoy Pothos toxic?
NJoy Pothos is toxic to humans and animals. In fact, according to the ASPCA, all Epipremnum varieties can cause severe side effects if ingested or come in contact with skin.
The foliage of Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate, which is a toxic component that accumulates in various plants. Calcium oxalate resembles shards of glass, so it can pierce the skin and cause adverse reactions to the skin, mouth, and digestive tract.
Some of these adverse reactions include:
- Pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips
- Oral irritation
- Eye irritation
- Throat and mouth ulcers
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
Although NJoy Pothos need to be consumed in substantial quantities to cause severe reactions, it’s still preferable to keep it away from children and pets who might find this vine interesting enough to touch or eat.
It’s also recommended that you use gloves when you’re pruning or propagating the plant.
Can NJoy Pothos purify the air?
NJoy Pothos is incapable of significantly purifying air of carbon dioxide or free radicals. Although some people believe that growing plants indoors can help reduce pollution, this is not the case.
Green plants can indeed remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. However, for plants to be able to photosynthesize properly, they have to receive adequate sunlight.
According to studies, indoor plants receive the minimum amount of light to photosynthesize. As a result, they’re unable to significantly reduce carbon dioxide levels indoors.
Further, it has been documented in some studies that a substantial amount of indoor plants can reduce carbon dioxide levels. However, this still wouldn’t be enough to cause actual change.
Can I feed NJoy Pothos coffee grounds?
When used correctly, coffee can be an excellent natural fertilizer for NJoy Pothos. Coffee is incredibly rich in nitrogen, a nutrient that promotes leaf growth and good green foliage in plants. It’s also rich in other essential nutrients, like phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.
For that reason, adding coffee grounds to a Pothos’ soil can promote and maintain the plant’s health.
However, there are certain drawbacks to using coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer. First of all, because coffee is acidic, it can increase the soil’s pH level. If the soil is already acidic, adding coffee can have a negative effect on the Pothos’ health.
Moreover, adding coffee grounds can alter the soil’s texture by making it more clay-like. This texture may increase the soil’s water retention. As a result, an indoors NJoy Pothos can suffer from leaf discoloration and develop root rot.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for a plant that can bring diversity and beauty to your space, NJoy Pothos can offer that and then some. NJoy Pothos are incredibly low-maintenance that you won’t find yourself constantly worried about how little you’ve watered or pruned it.
Moreover, creating the ideal environment for NJoy Pothos isn’t difficult. Place it in suitable lighting, water it occasionally, give it some fertilizer, and your Pothos can thrive. And if not, NJoy Pothos is quite durable so it’ll be long before it can suffer from any serious damage.