This Pothos' bright leaves will shine amongst your plant collection. Its unusually highlighter-pen-like colouring has given it the cultivar name 'neon', and it's not difficult to see why. The bright yellow-green colouring of this trailing plant's heart-shaped leaves stands out amongst the usual forest of green foliage and looks fabulous too. Like its many Pothos cousins, this variety is easygoing and forgiving of forgetful plant parents, so don't worry if you forget to water it for a couple of weeks - all will be forgiven! In its natural habitat, this plant climbs up tall rainforest tree trunks, so in your home you can trail it from a hanging pot or high shelf, or train it up a moss pole or other support. However you grow it, this cheerful plant's bright colour is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Scientific Name
Epipremnum aureum 'Neon' (golden plant which grows on the bottom of a tree, cultivar: neon)
Synonyms: Pothos aureus, Rhaphidophora aurea, Scindapsus aureus
This plant was first described as a Pothos, and subsequently reclassified as both Rhaphidophora aurea and Scindapsus aureus before settling on the current scientific name: Epipremnum aureum.
Common Name
Neon Pothos, Golden Pothos 'Neon', Neon Devil's Ivy, Ivy Arum, Ceylon Creeper
Origin
Native to the Society Islands, especially Mo'orea (in French Polynesia, in the South Pacific), where it grows in the wet tropical biome.
Light
Your Pothos won't need direct sun, preferring light that is indirect but still bright. Having enough daylight to read by easily without extra lighting will help give your plant enough light to sustain its distinctive colouring.
Water
A forgiving plant, the neon pothos will like the top third of its soil to dry out before you water again, but if you leave it a little longer, will recover easily enough. If you notice droopy leaves and wrinkly stems, this is a sign that your plant is getting thirsty.
Humidity
Native to the rainforest, your pothos will prefer above-average humidity. It does adapt well to lower levels, though, and will do just fine in most household humidity levels as long as it's not too close to the drying heat of a radiator or fire, or in a persistent draught.
Soil
A well-draining, chunky potting mix works best. A mix designed for Monstera or Philodendrons will also work well with Pothos plants. Repot every 2–3 years to refresh the soil and allow for healthy root growth.
Food
Feed once a month during the growing season (spring to early autumn) with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser. Reduce or stop fertilising over winter; too much feeding can lead to leggy growth without many leaves.
Temperature
Average temperatures of 18-30°C are fine; make sure it doesn't get colder than 12°C in winter.
Pet-safe
No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.
Sprouts Top Tips
Allow this plant somewhere to grow to or something to grow up and it will deliver! It can have a spread of up to 8m in height in the right conditions. Alternatively, you can trim the ends to make entire new plants from the cuttings; just make sure there's a leaf and a node and your plant should be able to root anew.