Best Guide to Dragon’s Tail Pothos Plant Growing & Caring

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Epipremnum pinnatum is a tropical vine that is commonly grown as a houseplant. It is also referred to as centipede tongavine, dragon-tail plant, and silver vine. This plant is occasionally mistaken for Epipremnum aureum, a related species in the same family that goes by the names pothos, money plant, and devil’s ivy. Both plants grow quickly and have glossy green foliage.

Large, glossy, heart-shaped, dark green leaves characterize Epipremnum pinnatum. While some cultivars have broad, severely serrated edges, others have narrow, smooth leaves. However, the majority of cultivars selected for indoor use have vines that can reach a maximum length of 6 feet, making them perfect for hanging basket plants.

Dragon’s Tail Pothos Overview

Common Namecentipede tonga vine, silver vine
Botanical NameEpipremnum pinnatum
FamilyAraceae
Plant TypeTropical vine
Mature SizeUp to 60 feet tall
Sun ExposureBright, indirect sunlight
Soil TypeRich, well-drained
Soil pHSlightly acidic
Hardiness Zones10-11 (USDA)
Native AreasAsia, Australia
Toxicitydogs and cats

Dragon’s Tail Pothos Care

The following are the primary guidelines for taking care of this plant:

  • Bright but indirect sunshine is preferred by Epipremnum pinnatum.
  • It requires rich soil that drains properly and a container with adequate drainage holes.
  • It prefers normal levels of water for a tropical plant; water only when the soil’s surface starts to dry out, and doesn’t overwater.
  • A springtime application of liquid fertilizer may be beneficial.

Light

The Epipremnum pinnatum can grow in both partial sun and shade. The ideal lighting is bright but indirect sunlight, which you may get by positioning it next to a window that receives plenty of sunlight.

Certain variegated types could require additional light, and the plant will indicate this by extending its leaves to the area of the room that receives more sunlight. This plant may become dry or have its leaves scorched by too much sun.

Soil

This plant prefers rich soil that is comparable to that of its potential natural environment, which includes an abundance of organic matter, a slightly acidic substrate, and good drainage. Soils with a high sand or clay content are not suitable for this plant. It’s also essential that your containers include drainage holes.

Water

It should be enough to water your epipremnum pinnatum once a week. Before watering, make sure the soil’s surface is dry. Soak the uppermost layer of the soil surface with lukewarm water until it becomes slightly damp. During the winter, when the plant develops more slowly and requires less regular watering, modify the watering schedule.

Temperature and Humidity

Epipremnum pinnatum prefers a temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep the plant from being too hot, if you take it outside during the summer, it should be in a partially shaded spot. Since it is a tropical vine, some humidity is OK.

If your house is dry in the winter, keeping a dish of pebbles with water close by will help maintain moisture in the air.

Fertilizer

This plant doesn’t require much fertilizer in general, but during the busiest part of its growing season, you can apply a necessary liquid water-soluble fertilizer (dilute by half with water). Fertilize your epipremnum pinnatum from March through August, every two weeks. Fertilize only once every month during the winter.

Types of Dragon’s Tail Pothos

This plant comes in several varieties, some with glossy green leaves and others with eye-catching variegation. “Fenestrations” are tiny, window-like apertures that grow in the leaves of certain cultivars.

  • ‘Ceba Blue’ has gorgeous blue-green leaves that are short and slender, formed like a lance, and grow quite assertively.
  • ‘Albo-Variegata’ has big, serrated, dark green leaves with areas of creamy white variegation on them. It’s a fantastic choice for a house plant because it grows more slowly than other types.
  • ‘Skeleton Key’ is a big, dark green leaf with a broad, rounded top and a narrow, pointy tip at the end that resembles a key.
  • ‘Marble King’ its tiny, oval leaves that are primarily milky white with sporadic green flecks and dots.

Propagating

This plant can be multiplied through cuttings.

  • A few-inch-long stem with a few leaves on it should be cut in half lengthwise, and half of the stem should be submerged in water.
  • Ascertain that a “knot”—a rough nodule to which a leaf is attached—on the stem is submerged in water so it can develop roots.
  • When the water becomes dirty, replace it and place the container in a warm area that receives some indirect sunlight.
  • Plant the cutting in a wet potting medium after roots start to appear.

Repotting Your Dragon’s Tail Pothos

This plant may periodically need to be moved to a larger container as it gets bigger to give its roots more room. When it grows larger, handling it could become challenging, so while you’re getting the new container ready, you might find it simpler to gently lay the plant on its side.

Give it a fresh start with new potting soil, and gently shake out the old soil from the roots. Turn the plant back upright and arrange the vines while you slide it into its new container and keep it in place. After planting, give it lots of water so that it can recuperate from the shock of the transfer.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

The majority of serious disorders are particularly resistant to the epipremnum pinnatum. Occasionally, common pests like mealy bugs or spider mites may cause it trouble. Use cotton balls soaked in vinegar or rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the leaves to get rid of mealy bugs.

There are various methods to deal with spider mites, such as rinsing them off with water or applying insecticidal soap or neem oil.

FAQ

Is pothos Epipremnum pinnatum?

Generally speaking, the plant referred to as “pothos” is Epipremnum aureum; nevertheless, there is frequent misunderstanding between the two, and some individuals call Epipremnum pinnatum “pothos.”

Do money plants like Epipremnum pinnatum exist?

No, Epipremnum aureum, which is typically larger than Epipremnum pinnatum, is the money plant. The name derives from the leaves’ rounded form, which resembles coins.

Is epipremnum pinnatum rare?

Epipremnum pinnatum is widely accessible and available in several cultivars.

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