Are you searching for a lush, green, and tropical addition to your home décor? Look no further than the Hawaiian pothos. This popular houseplant is very easy to care for and can be grown indoors or outdoor. It’s known for its beautiful leaves and rapid growth rate.
Let’s look at the basics of caring for a Hawaiian pothos plant, from watering and fertilizing to pruning and pests.
What is a Hawaiian pothos?
The Hawaiian pothos is a beautiful houseplant with variegated leaves that are yellow and dark green. The plant is native to the Pacific Islands and is common in Hawaii, where it grows wild. It’s also known as devil’s ivy, as, like all pothos, it’s toxic to animals and humans if ingested. This plant should be kept out of the reach of small children and pets.
Pothos plants can grow very long, trailing vines when allowed to grow on the ground, but they are often kept to a smaller size with regular pruning. The vines can be trained to climb up supports or cling to walls.
How to Care for a Hawaiian pothos?
Hawaiian pothos is among the easiest houseplants to care for. This makes them a great choice if you’re new to gardening or have little time for maintenance in your home. Here are some tips to help you grow a thriving Hawaiian pothos plant:
Sunlight requirements
One of the greatest advantages of growing a Hawaiian pothos is its tolerance for both high and low light conditions. If you want your pothos plant to grow more quickly, place it in a location that receives indirect sunlight. If you want your plant to have slower growth, opt for a location with more shade or partial sunlight.
Watering needs
You’ll need to water your pothos evenly and thoroughly. Don’t let the soil stay soggy or dry out completely between waterings. When the soil is dry, water until you see a few inches of water coming from the bottom of your container. Ensure that the pot drains well and keep the soil evenly moist. Be careful not to overwater your plant, or it may end up suffering from root rot. It’s best to let about 50% of the soil dry out before watering your plant again.
Fertilization
Fertilize once or twice a month to help promote healthy growth. You can use a standard houseplant fertilizer or choose a formula that’s been designed especially for tropical plants.
Pruning
Pothos plants can grow quickly in ideal conditions, but they also respond well to pruning and training to control their size and shape. Remove unwanted shoots from the main stem to encourage branching growth, which will result in a fuller plant appearance. You can also remove any vines or leaves that are dead or damaged.
Soil
Soil should be loose and well-draining with some organic matter. Hawaiian pothos grow best in soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH range between 5.5 and 7.0.
Temperature and Humidity
Hawaiian pothos grow well in temperatures of between 65 to 85 degrees. They are pretty versatile when it comes to humidity, and although they are tropical plants, they can cope with low humidity. These plants do equally well in a steamy bathroom or kitchen or a moderately humid climate. If you notice that your plants leaves have started to look and feel dry and the tips are browning, this is a sign you need to increase the humidity by misting your plant.
How to Get Rid of Pests on a Hawaiian Pothos
Hawaiian pothos plants are easy to care for, but from time to time, you may notice small pests crawling on the plant’s leaves and shoots. These common houseplants can also attract mold and fungus growth in humid indoor conditions, which is why it’s essential to monitor your plant regularly.
Pests can also be attracted to the dense growth of a pothos plant, as it offers both hiding places and food sources. These small invaders may not kill an entire plant, but they will significantly weaken it by sucking out essential nutrients from the foliage.
Sap sucking insects such as aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites can be controlled using an insecticidal spray or neem oil.
Conclusion
The Hawaiian pothos is a beautiful climbing vine that can be enjoyed indoors year-round. It requires little maintenance and tolerates a range of growing conditions. If you keep your plant in ideal conditions, it should grow quickly to become the focal point of any room.