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Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

Epipremnum aureum is a perennial evergreen climbing or trailing vine that can climb by aerial roots or be grown hanging.

LightIt does well in bright indirect light to partial sun; it tolerates low light, although insufficient light can reduce variegation, while strong direct summer sunlight can cause leaf scorch.
WaterUse a well-drained medium and allow its surface or upper layer to dry slightly after watering before watering again; avoid prolonged waterlogging to reduce the risk of root rot, and keep it drier in winter.
HumidityIt is generally reported to prefer high humidity.
TemperatureSources differ and are few on the lower temperature, placing it at about 12 °C. Limited sources report an ideal temperature of about 17–29 °C and an upper temperature of about 30 °C. It is generally reported to tolerate
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Devil's Ivy illustration

Overview

Epipremnum aureum is a perennial evergreen climbing or trailing vine that can climb by aerial roots or be grown hanging.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native-range account, which places it on Mo'orea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia; it is now cultivated and naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is native to humid tropical environments, where it can grow by climbing surfaces such as tree trunks and rocks and is adapted to rainforest shade. It prefers warm, humid tropical to subtropical conditions and does not tolerate cold well.

Characteristics

Sources differ and are few on mature size, placing height at about 400–800 cm; a limited source reports a spread of about 100–150 cm. It grows quickly. Leaves are alternate; juvenile leaves are generally ovate to heart-shaped with entire margins, while mature climbing plants can develop substantially larger leaves with irregular pinnate divisions, and 'Marble Queen' has blue-green leaves with white marbled variegation that are slightly smaller than those of the typical form. The inflorescence is a spadix surrounded by a spathe; flowering is extremely rare in cultivation, and application of gibberellin can induce flowering.

Light

It does well in bright indirect light to partial sun; it tolerates low light, although insufficient light can reduce variegation, while strong direct summer sunlight can cause leaf scorch.

Watering

Use a well-drained medium and allow its surface or upper layer to dry slightly after watering before watering again; avoid prolonged waterlogging to reduce the risk of root rot, and keep it drier in winter.

Humidity and airflow

It is generally reported to prefer high humidity.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ and are few on the lower temperature, placing it at about 12 °C. Limited sources report an ideal temperature of about 17–29 °C and an upper temperature of about 30 °C. It is generally reported to tolerate brief light frost.

Growing medium and mounting

Use a fertile, well-drained growing medium; a well-drained indoor plant potting mix can be used. It is generally described as having aerial and soil roots and favoring an airy mix.

Feeding

Fertilizer can be applied regularly during the growing season; sources describe schedules using slow-release, liquid, or long-lasting fertilizer at differing intervals.

Propagation

It can be propagated by stem cuttings, using stem sections with nodes for rooting; under suitable conditions, rooting and new growth can occur within roughly a month.

Common problems

Common pests include scale insects and spider mites, and greenhouse thrips have also been recorded. Anthracnose is reported to occur, particularly during hot, humid periods. Overwatering can lead to root rot, yellow leaves, or wilting; excessively strong direct sunlight can scorch leaves, while insufficient light can reduce variegation and cause elongated, sparse, or weak growth. 'Marble Queen' is less cold-tolerant than the typical form and should be protected from low temperatures; Epipremnum aureum as a whole is also sensitive to cold, and outdoor plants should be moved indoors in winter.

Identification

Key identifying features are heart-shaped leaves with green and cream-white to white marbled variegation; it can trail as a hanging vine or climb supports using aerial roots.

Photos

Epipremnum aureum
📷 unknown · Public domain · source
Epipremnum aureum
📷 Joydeep · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Epipremnum aureum
📷 Chiu-Yueh Hung, Jie Qiu, Ying-Hsuan Sun, Jianjun Chen, Faroo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Sources