Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum: A Sustainable Houseplant Choice

Variegated epipremnum pinnatum, commonly known as the vining devil’s ivy, is an evergreen vining plant that you can keep in your home or garden to grow indoors or out. This particular species of philodendron grows best when it has plenty of sunlight and room to spread out over support like a trellis, but pruning it can also keep its size manageable in tighter quarters.

Growing variegated epipremnum pinnatum isn’t difficult, though there are some considerations when caring for this vining plant. With the right steps, you can grow variegated epipremnum pinnatum in your office or home and have it climb on the wall. Here’s how you do it!

What is a Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum?

Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum

Variegated epipremnum pinnatum, also known as pothos ivy or devil’s ivy, is a climbing plant with long trailing vines that can grow up to 15 feet. This hardy houseplant is a member of the Araceae family and is native to rainforests worldwide, including China, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

Because of its gorgeous fenestrated leaves and huge chunky colors, the variegated epipremnum pinnatum is a widely sought-after plant. Because of its rarity, this plant may appear overwhelming to care for; nonetheless, it is just as simple to care for as your average pothos.

The variegated epipremnum pinnatum is a hardy plant that can grow outdoors or indoors. As with other aroids, this plant requires strong indirect light, chunky well-draining soil, humidity, and adequate watering.

The Benefits of Growing Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum

Variegated epipremnum pinnatum can brighten up any space and provide freshness while also delivering a tropical mood due to the presence of light tones. The plant looks great in traditional and contemporary settings and can be cultivated as a hanging or climbing plant.

The following are a few benefits of cultivating variegated epipremnum pinnatum:

  1. Minimal needs and ease of cultivation
  2. A collector’s item
  3. Discoloration that is both effective and irregular
  4. Unpredictability of color
  5. Illuminates the interior visually
  6. A popular kind of Variegata
  7. Thrives in partial shade
  8. Tolerates neglect very well and will not die if left out on the porch too long without water

Growing Requirements for Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum

Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum Leaf Close Up

Soil

Rich, well-draining soil is ideal for variegated epipremnum pinnatum. To make well-draining soil, combine orchid bark, potting mix, peat moss, perlite, and charcoal. These mixtures help in the improvement of aeration and drainage. Organic materials, such as mulch pieces, coco coir, or coconut husk, can be added to the soil to control moisture.

For best results, look for a potting soil blend that helps retain moisture without keeping it humid. You can further enrich the soil by adding worm castings or garden compost.

Light

Bright indirect light is ideal for growing variegated epipremnum pinnatum. This plant needs at least 6 hours of daily sunlight. Positioning your plant in a spot that gets some morning sunshine is ideal for its growth; however, avoid direct midday sunlight as this might burn the leaf. This is because morning sunlight is not as harsh as afternoons. If your variegated epipremnum pinnatum is losing variegation or growing leggy, it needs to get more light.

Putting a curtain or blind to your window can help to deflect the harsh sunlight and prevent the plants’ leaves from being burned. You can always get grow lights if you need help locating the right spot with light in your house. However, if your plant is too near to the grow lights, it will burn the leaf, much like direct sunshine.

Humidity

Variegated epipremnum pinnatum enjoys warmth and humidity, and it flourishes when cultivated in a humid environment with moisture levels over 50%. Keeping your plant in an area with low humidity might make it more susceptible to pests and diseases.

When dark spots emerge on the foliage or the leaves turn brown, it indicates that your variegated epipremnum pinnatum needs more humidity. Providing your plants with high humidity can promote healthier growth. You may do a few things to increase the humidity in your house. You can try the following:

  • Getting a humidifier
  • Grouping the plants together
  • Misting your plants
  • Making use of pebble trays

Temperature

Temperatures between 65ºF and 80ºF are ideal for cultivating variegated epipremnum pinnatum. This plant prefers warm temperatures since it is native to tropical climates. If the temperature is projected to fall below 50ºF, relocate your plant to a warmer area in your house. It would be best to keep the plant away from doors, drafts, windows, and conditioning vents to minimize severe temperature fluctuations. If your variegated epipremnum pinnatum is exposed to temperatures beyond this range for an extended time, the heat might stunt its growth.

Watering Requirements

Your variegated epipremnum pinnatum will need occasional watering at least once a week. This will change when the volume of sunshine and temperatures fluctuate throughout the cooler months. Before watering, feel the top 2 inches of the soil with your finger to see whether it’s dry. If it’s dry, you should water your plant. Wilting or spotty leaves indicate that your variegated epipremnum pinnatum needs water.

Watering variegated epipremnum pinnatum requires caution to avoid over-watering. Excess water causes the soil to become soggy, which may cause the roots to decay. This can lead to insect problems, fungal problems, and root rot. Drooping leaves indicate that you may have overwatered your variegated epipremnum pinnatum.

Fertilizing

During the growth season, fertilize your variegated epipremnum pinnatum weekly (Spring and Summer). Fertilizing can be reduced during the colder months when growth slows down. Applying fertilizer when your plants aren’t using all of the nutrients in the soil might result in root burn and salt buildup. On the other hand, fertilizing your plants will give them the nutrients they need to maintain fresh and healthy growth.

Growing Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum

Variegated epipremnum pinnatum is a great addition to any garden and can add fun color and variety. With some basic care, they can grow slowly and gracefully, even gaining enough height to create a privacy barrier. Let’s see how you can grow variegated epipremnum pinnatum from rooting.

  1. First, find a sunny spot that can accommodate the height of your desired plant.
  2. Fill a hole with the soil that has been well drained and mix in some compost or organic fertilizer to make it more fertile.
  3. Ensure the root ball sits below ground level by placing it on top of the soil.
  4. Press the dirt around the root ball firmly until it’s fully in contact with the soil’s surface.
  5. Water thoroughly and place a mulch overtop to retain moisture, preventing weeds and disease infestation growth.

Once planted, variegated epipremnum pinnatum needs at least six hours of sun per day. Now that you know how to plant variegated epipremnum pinnatum; let’s move on to how to take care of this beautiful flower!

Caring for Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum

The variegated epipremnum pinnatum is a great plant that is easy to care for as long as it has plenty of room to grow vertically. The following tips will help you care for variegated epipremnum pinnatum:

  1. The plant needs ample sunlight but will tolerate some shade. Hence, place it in an area with six hours or more of direct sunlight daily.
  2. Variegated epipremnum pinnatum thrives in moist soil with good drainage. Hence, keep the plant dry out. On the other hand, avoid overwatering, so that root rot does not occur.
  3. Mix a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength when fertilizing once a month with the plant food.
  4. Check for pests such as spider mites and scale insects as any houseplant. It’s also important to provide clean air by misting the leaves periodically.
  5. Remember that most varieties of variegated epipremnum pinnatum are poisonous if ingested. Hence, keep them away from pets and children who might be tempted to try them!
  6. Pruning is recommended for keeping plants healthy. Cut out any dead or damaged sections from your plants’ stems, branches, leaves, and flowers every two weeks during the growing season (April-October).

Pests and Diseases of Variegated Epipremnum Pinnatum

Spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs are common pests of variegated epipremnum pinnatum. Spider mites are eight-legged insects that feed on sap from plants. They may induce the yellowing and drying of leaves. Mealybugs are little, soft-bodied insects with a waxy substance covering their bodies. They may also cause yellowing and death of leaves.

Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to combat these pests. On the other hand, diseases may be caused by various creatures, including nematodes, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. These diseases can also cause wilting, leaf spots, root rot, and stem lesions.

Variegated epipremnum pinnatum is a tropical plant that’s beautiful and very easy to grow. If you’d like to bring some lush greenery into your tropical living space, epipremnum pinnatum is an excellent choice—it’s a durable, low-maintenance plant that practically thrives on neglect. And if you’re looking for variety in your indoor garden, this one also does well in hanging baskets and terrariums.

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