One of the most decorative plants out there is Pearls and Jade Pothos. Although these plants are relatively easy to take care of, they do require some special attention. In this article, I provide practical tips covering everything you need to know about how to grow Pearls and Jade Pothos in your house.
So without further ado, let’s dive right in and see what this beautiful plant is all about!
What are Pearls and Jade Pothos?
The best way to kick off this guide is with a brief description of the plant’s profile. Pearls and Jade Pothos is a variation of plant species that belong to the genus “epipremnum” of the arum family (Araceae).
For that reason, the plant’s scientific name is “epipremnum aureum” Pronounced: [ep-eh-prem-num aw-re-um].
However, Pearls and Jade Pothos are mostly known by their common name as well as other names, such as devil’s ivy or devil’s vine.
In addition to these popular names, the plant also has a few variants that carry different names, such as:
- Golden pothos
- Ceylon-creeper
- Hunter’s robe
- Ivy arum
- Money plant
- Silvervine
- Solomon-Islands ivy
- Taro-vine
- Marble Queen (The one that was used to produce the pearls and jade variety)
Most Pearls and Jade Pothos have thick, waxy, and variegated leaves that are usually heart-shaped and come.
However, depending on the plant’s variety, the plant can have different combinations of dark green, bright green, yellow, and/or white.
What is the Origin of Pearls and Jade Pothos?
The original Epipremnum aureum is originally from the Solomon Islands of French Polynesia. However, the plant’s hardiness and ease of growing allowed it to naturally grow on a wide scale, especially in tropical and subtropical countries.
This includes South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Pacific Island, Hawaii, Fiji, and more!
One thing you should know is that the Pearls and Jade Pothos is actually an artificial variety of the plant, which was developed in the botanical gardens of the University of Florida.
What is the Best Use of Pearls and Jade Pothos?
Pearls and Jade Pothos have a vine-like structure and an excellent ability to climb and crawl on nearby objects. However, they’re slow growers, so they’re relatively manageable indoors, making them ideal for interior decorations.
The best way to benefit from the Pearls and Jade Pothos is by growing them in suitable hanging pots where their foliage and stems start to spread out and hang in various directions, especially downwards.
In addition to planting them inside, you can grow the plants outdoors as well. In that case, the plant will naturally hang downwards and crawl on the ground towards the nearest trees to climb them.
Keep in mind that the plant doesn’t grow quickly but it can grow to extreme lengths that surpass the 30 feet mark!
However, such lengths aren’t easily reached indoors, so you don’t have to worry about that, and even if it does, you can always manage the plant’s length with simple pruning, but more about that in the following sections.
How Easy It Is to Care for Pearls and Jade Pothos?
As previously mentioned, one of the plant’s common names is the devil’s ivy. In fact, the reason why this plant is given such a name is that it’s an extremely hardy plant that will stay green and not die, even if it’s left in the dark for a considerable amount of time.
Due to the plant’s hardiness and resistance to wilting and dying, the plant is considered an excellent choice for those who are new to growing plants.
However, the beauty of the plant makes it common even among experienced gardeners and growers.
Additionally, Pearls and Jade Pothos is an evergreen plant, which means that it keeps its fresh green color through the winter, which makes them ideal for decoration.
The plant’s ability to survive relatively low light conditions and evergreen nature makes it a perfect choice for growing indoors.
All in all, Pearls and Jade Pothos are considered extremely easy to take care of, and you should keep them in excellent health simply by maintaining them in their optimal growing conditions.
Do Pearls and Jade Pothos Bloom?
Genetically speaking, Pearls and Jade Pothos are classified as angiosperms, so they should have the ability to bloom and produce flowers at a specific point in their life cycle. However, the plant has a significantly shy flowering nature.
In the vast majority of cases, Pearls and Jade Pothos will only bloom by the use of artificial hormones and flowering stimulants and supplements.
According to a 2004 review of the plant, the last recorded time that the plant has flowered spontaneously was in 1964.
What Are the Ideal Pearls and Jade Pothos Growing Conditions?
This takes us to one of the most important sections of this article! Now that you know more about Pearls and Jade Pothos, it’s time to find out more about its ideal growing conditions to keep the evergreen plant in excellent health.
Soil
The first thing that you need to take care of while optimizing the growing condition of the Pearls and Jade Pothos is the soil.
Luckily, the high adaptability of the plant allows you to use just about any kind of potting mix out there, even a basic one, so long as it has good drainage, aeration, and nutrition.
However, experts warn against using regular garden soil for growing the pothos because it can be quite dense for the plant.
A fresh potting mix that is designed for cacti or succulents should be ideal for pothos because it’s loosely compact, so it drains very well.
Temperature
Pearls and Jade Pothos like relatively warm weather to stay healthy and grow. However, you can keep at a wide range of temperatures that averages between 65 to 85 degrees F (18.3 to 29.5 degrees C).
As you can see, the plant is more likely to handle warm summers indoors than harsh cold winters.
Always make sure to keep the plant warm during the winter, as the plant cells will become prone to death if the temperature falls below 50 degrees.
The plant is fairly reactive and will let you know when things get too cold, as the leaves will discolor due to the lack of nutrients and water.
Water & Humidity
Watering is critical for Pearls and Jade Pothos because you shouldn’t overwater or underwater the soil if you want to keep the plant in top condition.
However, you should know that the plant is at a higher risk of being overwatered than underwatered. In fact, root rot is one of the few reasons why Pearls and Jade Pothos might die.
There’s no ideal watering schedule for the plant because it can vary greatly according to the transpiration rate of the plant as well as the humidity in the room and the type of soil mix used.
As a rule of thumb, always let the soil dry to about 1 or 1 inches from the surface before you water the plant again, which should take about 1 to 2 weeks in average soil and humidity.
This way, you can guarantee that the plant is never drowned in water or exerting too much stress on roots to draw in moisture.
Speaking of humidity, the plant also prefers slightly humid weather that is similar to its natural habitat, which is typically between 50% to 70%.
The best way to manage the humidity of your plant is by using room hygrometers and humidifiers.
Light
As previously mentioned, Pearls and Jade Pothos prefer indirect sunlight, which is why they’re typically planted indoors.
In that case, you should try to keep your plant in a spot where bright but indirect sunlight is frequent throughout the day. This makes a northern or a lightly shaded eastern window a perfect location for the plant pot.
If you’re only limited to western or southern windows, make sure that you keep the plant protected from direct sunlight by using sheer curtains. The plant can also survive
Nutrition
Luckily, Pearls and Jade Pothos don’t require any special nutritional requirements, unless you want them to bloom.
In fact, a commercial potting mix should have just about enough nutrients for the plant to thrive. If the potting mix doesn’t contain fertilizers any all-purpose plant fertilizer should do.
Ideally, you should feed the pothos during the growing seasons almost exclusively, which typically extends from spring to the last days of summer.
It’s important to feed the plant heavily in this period to give it enough storage during the winter, as it enters a semi-dormant phase where it doesn’t process further fertilizers.
Pruning
Pearls and Jade Pothos grow slowly, but they can grow up to 30 feet high, especially if you plant them outdoors.
Luckily, pruning the plant is extremely easy and can help you manage its length at desired levels.
Ideally, you can prune the plant at any length that is about 2.5 inches above the soil. To do it, simply cut about a 1/4 of an inch above small leaves.
How to Re-Pot and Propagate Pearls and Jade Pothos
Propagating pearls and jade photos is quite achievable using stem cuttings. Simply cut about 4 to 5 inches off of the stem along with 4 to 6 leaves attached. After that, submerge the plant in water or soil with enough nutrients to promote its growth.
Let the plant grow for about a month before you transfer the plant back to the soil. Remember to wean the young plants from extra water to protect them from shocks.
What Are the Common Pearls and Jade Pothos Pests and Diseases?
Pearls and Jade Pothos are fairly resistant to pests. However, they may still suffer from some problems or diseases if you’re not careful enough.
Despite that, the most common disease that pearls and jade may suffer from is root rot, which occurs due to excessive watering. The main symptoms of this disease are noticeable drooping and black spots on leaves.
In addition to root rot, the plant may suffer from a variety of pests, such as mealybugs, aphids, thrips, scales, and spider mites.
These little critters will feed on the plant’s sap, causing some damages to the plant’s structure. The most effective way to get rid of these insects is by using organic insecticidal soap as well as spraying essential oils that deter them, such as peppermint and rosemary.
Are Pearls and Jade Pothos Toxic to Humans and Pets?
Since Pearls and Jade Pothos are kept inside the house too, you might be interested in the safety of the plant, especially around children and pets.
The most important thing to know is that pothos, whether it’s pearls and jade or other varieties, are quite toxic to both humans and animals, so they should never be ingested.
This toxicity doesn’t only include the leaves, but it also includes all other parts of the plant. The reason behind its toxicity is that it contains tiny but sharp calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause severe swelling and irritation in the mouth.
Make sure that you reach out to the hospital or vet clinic accordingly if any of the family members has ingested any part of the pothos.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! A complete guide with everything you need to know about Pearls and Jade Pothos.
As you can see, Pearls and Jade Pothos are not only unique and beautiful but they’re also incredibly easy to care for and adds a unique touch to your in-house decoration, especially if you keep the plant at optimal conditions.
With this brief yet comprehensive guide, you should have a complete cheat sheet to get yourself started without worrying about any initial hiccups or problems!