Plant care guides
Golden pothos care guide Epipremnum aureum
How to grow and care for Golden pothos at home. Ubiquitous trailing/climbing plant.
- Light
- Low light tolerant
- Watering (summer)
- Every 7 to 10 days
- Watering (winter)
- Every 14 to 21 days
- Pet safety
- Toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Scientific name
- Epipremnum aureum
- Origin
- Society Islands
- Humidity
- 40-70%
Fun fact
Native to a single French Polynesian island, Mo’orea; the species has not been observed flowering in the wild in modern records.
When and how much water
Water Golden pothos when the top 2 to 3 cm of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer that’s typically every 7 to 10 days; in winter slow down to every 14 to 21 days. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
- Every 14 to 21 days
- Every 7 to 10 days
The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can’t see: the actual light at the plant, the pot’s size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly’s app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.
How bright a spot it needs
Golden pothos tolerates low light but grows faster in medium light. The ideal lux range is 500 - 2,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 3-4 meters back from a north-facing window, or near any window indirectly lit.
Feeding
Feed Golden pothos every 60 days while it’s actively growing. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the strength on the label, and only on soil that’s already damp — feeding dry roots can scorch them. When growth pauses, skip the fertilizer and let it rest.
Temperature & humidity
Golden pothos is comfortable between 18 and 29 °C. Below 10 °C the leaves start taking damage, so keep it clear of cold drafts and unheated rooms.
It does best at 40–70% humidity. It doesn’t need misting.
Common problems
Most Golden pothos problems trace back to watering — here’s how to read the leaves.
Signs of overwatering
Watch for
- Yellowing leaves
- Black soft stems
- Sour soil smell
- Root rot
Let the soil dry further between waterings and make sure the pot drains freely — soggy roots are the usual cause.
Signs of underwatering
Watch for
- Drooping vines
- Crispy leaf edges
- Curling leaves
- Slow growth
Water a little more often and don’t let the soil go bone-dry for long.
Toxic to pets?
YesToxic to pets.
The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Golden pothos out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Echeveria, Donkey’s tail, or Ponytail palm.
Pet-safe alternatives with similar light: Echeveria, Donkey’s tail, Ponytail palm. See all pet-safe alternatives →
Pet-safety information for catalog plants uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice.
Propagation
Grow more Golden pothos from a cutting.
- Choose a healthy stem with at least one node and one or two leaves.
- Cut just below a node using clean, sharp scissors or a knife.
- Remove any leaves from the bottom 5 cm so they don’t rot in water or soil.
Common questions
How often should I water a Golden pothos?
Water your Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) when the top 2 to 3 cm of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer, that’s typically every 7 to 10 days; in winter, slow down to every 14 to 21 days. Botanicaly’s app tunes this further based on your home’s actual light, pot size, and local weather.
How much light does a Golden pothos need?
Golden pothos tolerates low light but grows faster in medium light. The ideal lux range is 500 - 2,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 3-4 meters back from a north-facing window, or near any window indirectly lit.
Is Golden pothos safe for cats and dogs?
The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Golden pothos out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Echeveria, Donkey’s tail, or Ponytail palm.
Why are my Golden pothos’s leaves turning yellow or drooping?
On a Golden pothos, yellowing and soft growth usually mean overwatering — watch for yellowing leaves, black soft stems, or sour soil smell. Let the soil dry further between waterings and check drainage. If you see drooping vines, crispy leaf edges, or curling leaves instead, it’s likely thirsty — water a little more often. Botanicaly’s Plant Doctor can help assess visible signs from a photo and suggest possible causes.
Botanicaly
A schedule that reads your room.
You don’t need to work out your Golden pothos’s care from scratch each time. Botanicaly uses its saved setup and care history for the next step. Identifying is free. Pro adds Plant Doctor and Weather-smart care.
Still wet
Check again in 2 days
Botanicaly updates the next step when the soil isn’t dry.
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