Plant Profile: Devil's Ivy, a Vining Winner for Black Thumbs
Devil's ivy is a lush climbing plant that can grow indoors with minimal care
Known for its leafy good looks and air purifying qualities, Devil’s Ivy is a welcome indoor plant choice, and is low-maintenance, too.
Plant at a Glance
Common name: Devil’s ivy (also golden pothos, hunter’s robe, ivy arum, money plant, silver vine, Solomon Islands ivy, taro vine)
Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum
Origin: Solomon Islands
Size: As a houseplant, it can grow up to 2.5 metres in height
Signature traits: Trailing habit and arrow-shaped leaves with distinctive markings
Looks best: In a hanging basket or on a high table or shelf, cascading down. You could also train the vines to climb around a window by attaching them to hooks.
Plant at a Glance
Common name: Devil’s ivy (also golden pothos, hunter’s robe, ivy arum, money plant, silver vine, Solomon Islands ivy, taro vine)
Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum
Origin: Solomon Islands
Size: As a houseplant, it can grow up to 2.5 metres in height
Signature traits: Trailing habit and arrow-shaped leaves with distinctive markings
Looks best: In a hanging basket or on a high table or shelf, cascading down. You could also train the vines to climb around a window by attaching them to hooks.
Photo by Wikimedia Common user Joydeep
Who is this plant best suited to?
Those looking for an easy-care indoor plant that will cascade and trail, and soften hard edges. It is also ideal for those looking for a plant with health benefits, as devil’s ivy is known to efficiently cleanse the air of pollutants. Avoid if you have house pets, as the plant is highly toxic if any part of it is consumed.
Where is it best positioned?
In comfortable room temperatures between 10 and 27 degrees Celsius year round, and near a window with indirect/filtered sunlight. Growth will slow if you choose a very dark spot, while very bright spots will burn the leaves and eventually kill the plant. It also makes an ideal office plant because it grows well under fluorescent lights.
Those looking for an easy-care indoor plant that will cascade and trail, and soften hard edges. It is also ideal for those looking for a plant with health benefits, as devil’s ivy is known to efficiently cleanse the air of pollutants. Avoid if you have house pets, as the plant is highly toxic if any part of it is consumed.
Where is it best positioned?
In comfortable room temperatures between 10 and 27 degrees Celsius year round, and near a window with indirect/filtered sunlight. Growth will slow if you choose a very dark spot, while very bright spots will burn the leaves and eventually kill the plant. It also makes an ideal office plant because it grows well under fluorescent lights.
How much maintenance is involved?
Very little. Devil’s ivy is a hardy plant that can tolerate poor light and erratic watering for some time – and will still maintain its variegated colour.
Very little. Devil’s ivy is a hardy plant that can tolerate poor light and erratic watering for some time – and will still maintain its variegated colour.
Photo by Flickr user gorgeoux
WATER: Around once every five days in summer and once every 10 days in winter. It will not tolerate soggy soil, so allow it to dry slightly before watering again.
FERTILISE: Once every two weeks with a liquid fertiliser diluted by half, excluding winter, when it will only need a monthly feed.
REPOT: Annually, ideally in the spring, if necessary. You only need to repot the plant if the roots are congested, which will be indicated when the leaves start to droop, despite being well watered. Use general purpose potting soil and, if you want to maintain its size, repot in the same pot or one of a similar size, cut back some of the longest vines and trim the roots.
WATER: Around once every five days in summer and once every 10 days in winter. It will not tolerate soggy soil, so allow it to dry slightly before watering again.
FERTILISE: Once every two weeks with a liquid fertiliser diluted by half, excluding winter, when it will only need a monthly feed.
REPOT: Annually, ideally in the spring, if necessary. You only need to repot the plant if the roots are congested, which will be indicated when the leaves start to droop, despite being well watered. Use general purpose potting soil and, if you want to maintain its size, repot in the same pot or one of a similar size, cut back some of the longest vines and trim the roots.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
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- Leaves are turning yellow and falling off
This could be an indication of over-watering. Reduce watering immediately.
- Leaves are turning brown
The room may be too dry. Mist plant leaves with water to improve humidity.
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