How to care for Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum · Araceae
The classic beginner houseplant: a tough trailing vine with heart-shaped leaves splashed in gold and green. It tolerates low light, missed waterings, and general neglect better than almost anything else, though it looks far better with a little care. Cuttings root in plain water, making it endlessly shareable. Water roughly every 8 days while it's growing (about every 14 in winter), give it a bright room away from the window, kept above 54°F (12°C) — dry air is fine for it.
Care at a glance
Let the top half of the soil dry, then water deeply; drooping leaves are its clear 'water me' signal.
Adaptable from low light to bright indirect; more light means more golden variegation, while deep shade turns leaves plain green.
Light feeder — balanced fertilizer at half strength every 6 weeks in the growing season.
Mistakes that kill this plant
- Overwatering in a pot without drainage — the only common way to kill a pothos.
- Leaving it in standing water inside a decorative cachepot.
- Repeated cold drafts below about 50°F (10 °C) in winter.
Seasonal tips
- Trim long vines in spring to encourage bushier growth from the pot.
- Water noticeably less in winter — it barely grows in low light and cool rooms.
- Rinse dust off the leaves a few times a year so it can photosynthesize.
Is it safe for pets?
We have Golden Pothos recorded as toxic to cats and dogs.
Full pet-safety details for cats & dogsCare for your Golden Pothos on autopilot
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Toxicity here is informational, not a safety guarantee. Those are our own records, compiled by following the ASPCA's published toxic and non-toxic plant lists and Pet Poison Helpline's plant poison list rather than copied from them — confirm anything that matters against the ASPCA's published lists, which this one is matched to, or with your vet. If your pet ingested this plant, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.