How to prune a golden pothos

How to prune a golden pothos

1. 01

   Choose what to remove

   Before pruning, wear gloves, avoid sap on skin and eyes, wash your hands, and keep cut material away from pets. Shorten long or straggling Epipremnum aureum stems by cutting just above a leaf. In a variegated plant, remove vigorous all-green shoots so they do not take over.

   Pruning reduces overlong vines, encourages bushier growth from leaf joints and preserves visible variegation by removing reversion shoots. Leaf maturity and support are separate decisions.

2. 02

   Prune at the right time

   Tip-prune in spring, or shorten the plant when stems get too long or straggly. Prune as often as the stems need it rather than on a schedule.

3. 03

   Make one clean cut

   Make the shortening cut just above a leaf so new shoots can emerge from the leaf joint. Cut ends may be used as stem cuttings. For a climber, keep a moss- or coir-covered support damp and tie wayward stems if needed.

4. 04

   When pruning will not help

   Epipremnum aureum is also sold as Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Aureum’ and Scindapsus aureus. Wear gloves when you handle it, because it can irritate skin. Do not mix it up with other Epipremnum species.

5. 05

   Care for the plant after pruning

   After pruning a trained climber, keep the moss or coir support damp so aerial roots can attach. Otherwise keep to your usual watering and feeding.