sure that, If you have a poto at home, you will be surprised to learn that the one you can have is an Epipremnum pinnatum. Also considered a poto, this heart-shaped leaf plant is one of the varieties of poto that you can have at home.
Want to know more about her? And the care that she needs? We tell you everything in this guide that we have prepared for you below.
How is the Epipremnum pinnatum
Epipremnum pinnatum is also known as poto, centipede, dragon’s tail plant, or tonga vine. It is quite prolific in the world, especially because of its origin, it extends from Australia to Malaysia, Indochina, China, Japan, Melanesia, the Caribbean, Florida…
It is a climbing plant that, in its natural habitat, is capable of reaching 15 meters in height. However, As an indoor plant and in a pot, it will not exceed 2 meters in height. Also, if we take into account that it is usually a hanging plant, the branches do not gain height because they are allowed to fall.
The stem can be about 5 centimeters wide (in its natural habitat) while the internodes (where roots could come from) would be about 25 cm. As the years go by, they darkenin such a way that those that have a light brown tone are older than the new ones, a very bright green.
Regarding the leaves, these are quite leafy and abundant; more at the base than at the top, where they will be more dispersed there. Each sheet can easily measure between 19 and 60 centimeters. However, we are talking about its natural habitat, since indoors it may never reach that height. What does coincide in both is their coloration, in dark green. In addition, its shape is heart-shaped or lanceolate. And something that can happen in this variety is that the leaves break as if it were a Monstera deliciosa. In fact, sometimes, in adult specimens, those who do not have much idea of both plants can confuse them.
If you’re lucky, it is possible to see Epipremnum pinnatum bloom. It only does it once a year and it does so with a light green bud (the interior is yellow), although it can also be white. Regarding the flowers, they are bisexual, and will measure between 3 and 7mm. Behind them will appear some green berries and, inside, there are the seeds, very small and brown in color.
Cuidados del Epipremnus pinnate
After getting to know the Epipremnum pinnatum you will realize that it does not differ too much from other pothos. And neither does it in terms of care, although it is true that it needs a little more care than others. But even so, it is ideal for people who are beginners or who do not have much time to deal with plants.
Here we leave them, as a summary.
location and temperature
You should know that the Epipremnum pinnatum can have green leaves or a variegated variety. The second is visually much prettier, but a bit more delicate.. Even so, in this case we can tell you that the best location for the plant is where it has a lot of but indirect light. It can tolerate a few hours of direct light, as long as it is not in the hours of greatest incidence, but with 4-6 hours of indirect light it will already be served.
As for the variegated variety, it does not require much light either. Actually, giving him a little in the morning or in the afternoon (or both) is enough. Of course, the light will influence the pattern of drawing that the leaves have.
And it is that, the more light you give it, the more pattern the leaves will have, being able to tone in the same leaf several shades of green, or, in the case of variegated ones, come out whiter.
As for the temperature, your ideal would be between 15 and 20 degrees, temperatures that you will not have any problem meeting indoors. Even so, can tolerate more heat (although that makes the plant stop its development) and also colder (but be careful, because it can deteriorate).
Substratum
When choosing a suitable soil for the Epipremnum pinnatum, always bet on one that is light. Therefore, it is best to use universal soil with some earthworm humus to help with moisture and all mixed with drainage. One of the best may be perlite as it is not too big or too small to allow the roots of the plant to develop without hindering it.
Irrigation
One of the characteristics of Epipremnum pinnatum is that it is a plant that needs moisture. But if you go too far with watering it will end up rotten. That is why it is best to water once a week. (in summer, if it is very hot, you may have to water 2-3 times).
If possible, water with room temperature or lukewarm water, as if it is too cold it will damage the roots.
Subscriber
Regarding the subscriber, during the spring and summer months, it would be advisable to give it a little fertilizer with the irrigation water at least every two weeks. However, if she is not used to receiving fertilizer, then we recommend that you get used to it before.
To do this, halve the dose you give him and keep it that way for the first month. The next one you can gradually increase the dose until you give it the right one.
pruning
The Epipremnum pinnatum is a plant that, as time goes by, it is possible that the shoots wither at times, and these must be removed so that it can continue.
In fact, We recommend that you remove stems that look damaged, withered, or those that don’t seem to be right. It is a way to clean it up.
This can be done throughout the year. But if you want its growth to be activated, then we recommend that you bet on the beginning of spring. It is better to prune it a little each time than to do it drastically (especially since that way you can kill it).
Plagues and diseases
The Epipremnum pinnatum is not a plant that suffers a lot from pests, but it does suffer from diseases. It is often affected by the fungus Phytophthora, which it infects the poto and causes root rot.
Multiplication
The propagation of the plant is always done by cutting parts of it, below the nodes, since these will be the ones that generate roots so that a new plant can grow from there.
What do you think about Epipremnum pinnatum?
