Jessenia Pothos Care InfographicJessenia pothos is a stress-free and beginner-friendly house plant. In this article, we give you the complete details on how to include it in your home and garden. We share some lesser-known tips and tricks on growing, caring, and propagating the plant.
Read on for all the information that is vital to this pothos variety.
Contents
What Is a Jessenia Pothos?
Jessenia pothos is a trailing vine and a popular houseplant. It is low in maintenance and coupled with its good looks it never fails to impress plant lovers. Its lush foliage makes spaces green, grabbing enough eyeballs around.
Jessenia Pothos Care
Jessenia pothos is tropical and requires an environment similar to its native. Provide the same conditions and you can get the most delightful plant in your garden. Here are the care requirements you need to pay heed to.
– Water Requirements
Water the pothos once every three or four days. Having the right watering schedule is key to thriving and healthy foliage, nonetheless, check soil moisture level before you water by doing a simple finger test.
Stick your finger one inch into the soil and if it comes out feeling wet, refrain from watering the plant.
Similarly, do not let the soil go completely dry, since a parched plant will bear a wilted and dull appearance.
– Light Requirements
Jessenia pothos can tolerate and thrive in a range of light conditions, however, the ideal one is growing the plant in bright and indirect light. Avoid keeping the plant under direct sunlight as this can scorch the leaves turning them pale. Similarly, low light conditions can make them lose their leaf variegation.
For indoors, place the plant near an east-facing window that will provide it with enough morning sunlight. You can use curtains as filters to give it diffused light and reduce exposure.
– Soil Requirements
Jessenia pothos is a no-fuss plant and can grow easily in any kind of soil. Normal garden soil will be more than enough, however, you can mix in some organic compost or vermicomposting to boost the growth of the plant.
You can also use perlite, peat moss, or orchard bark with the soil to make it aerated and well-draining. It is vital to keep the soil light and drained to prevent water pooling at the roots.
– Temperature
The plant is sturdy and can survive in a wide temperature range. But the ideal temperature is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Despite being hardy, the pothos does not fare well in cold temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep it away from cold drafts and chilly winds which can wilt the plant and cause it to die.
– Humidity
The plant requires high humidity to grow between 50 percent and 70 percent. If you are growing the plant in dry conditions, mist the air around it once or twice a week.
When kept indoors, use a humidifier to kick in some moisture in the air. An important point to note here is not to overdo the misting of the plant as excess moisture has other serious repercussions for the plant. It can lead to root rot, mold growth in the soil, and wilting of the leaves.
– Fertilizer Use
Jessenia pothos is a light feeder and does not require much over-the-top nutrition. A good potting mix along with organic compost should be good enough to take care of its needs.
In the growing season of the spring and summer months, when the plant is more active you can enhance growth by using a balanced liquid fertilizer, note that you could schedule just one feed in a month.
Additionally, you can also use an organic fish fertilizer, which will cost you much less and is equally effective. But be aware, this does produce a stench around the plant until it dries up in the soil. Do not over-fertilize as it can result in a salt build-up in the soil.
– Toxicity
Jessenia pothos is toxic if ingested. The plant can cause minor irritations of the digestive tract if consumed, thus keeping it away from pets and young children.
– Potting
You can choose any potting material such as ceramic, clay, terracotta or plastic. Do note, clay pots dry out faster, so it would require more frequent watering. Ensure the pot has a good drainage hole to permit easy flow out of excess water. You can line the base of the pot with grit or gravel to help in quick draining.
– Pruning
Jessenia pothos is a fast grower and requires pruning regularly to keep it in shape. The trialing wines can get quite unruly thus trimming is vital to give it a neat and tamed look.
You need to also prune the plant when the stems turn leggy and produce just a few leaves. This will boost fresh growth. The ideal time to prune is in spring to early summer just before the growing season of the plant.
Propagation
It is easy to propagate the plant via stem cuttings. The ideal time to propagate is in spring ahead of the growing season. You can also propagate through seeds, though propagation by stem cutting will give you faster results. Here are the steps involved.
- Choose a healthy and mature parent plant.
- Snip a section of it ensuring the cutting has two nodes and leaves intact.
- Set this in a container of water or soil. If you are rooting it in water, remember to change the water every day. Do note, rooting in water is faster than rooting in the soil.
- Place the container in a warm place with indirect light.
- In a week you will notice the first fine roots showing up. Wait until a more prominent root branch appears.
- It is now time to plant the cutting directly into the potting mix.
- Water and care for the plant as mentioned in our care section. The stem cutting will now thrive and grow into an independent jessenia pothos plant.
– Propagation Problems
There can be many reasons why your jessenia pothos fails to root, despite having followed the right steps. Here are the potential causes listed below.
– The Stem Cutting Was Too Long
A long stem cutting is a big section of the vine and it will seek more water to survive. In such a scenario, the vine will be utilizing all that there is in the container for its survival and not for propagation.
– No Node Included
You will need to include a node or two when you snip a section of the trailing vine. The roots form below the node and thus including it is almost mandatory.
– Cuttings Placed in Insufficient Light
The cuttings need the warmth and light of the sun, provided they are not direct. Low light conditions are not going to help them to initiate rooting.
– Cuttings Were From Unhealthy Vines
It is important to choose a mature and healthy mother plant for the cutting. Old and unhealthy vines will not be able to root well or may result in weak rooting.
– Water Not Being Changed
If you are rooting your stem in water, remember to change the water every day. Oxygen gets depleted as the stem begins to root. Replacing it every day ensures the stems get their quota.
– Propagating in the Wrong Season
Do not propagate in the fall or winter months. The temperatures will be low and not suited for rooting. The plants enter a state of dormancy in the colder months, thus waiting until active growth to begin propagation.
Common Problems
Much as the plant is hardy and grows without much care, there are certain problems that one may encounter while growing it. In this section below we discuss the most common issues and ways to tackle them. Read on for more details.
– Pest Infestation
Like their counterparts, the pothos can be infested by pests such as thrips, spider mites, mealybugs and aphids. These pests suck the nutrition of the plant, making them wilt and die.
Isolate the plant as soon as you spot any of these. With the help of a cotton ball, dab alcohol directly on the infected area. You can also spray a mixture of neem oil and water or a soapy insecticide to repel the pests and get rid of them.
– Root Rot
Root rot is a result of over-watering of the pothos. With excess water at the roots, it develops fungal growth that turns leaves yellow. The plant bears a wilted and curled appearance.
If you suspect root rot, scale back on the water immediately. Gently pull the plant out of the soil and inspect the roots for blackened sections. Snip the affected portions with a sterile garden pruner and replant them in fresh soil.
– Stunted or Slow Growth
Is your jessenia pothos growing slow? Or is the stem stunted? Check the plant’s exposure to light. Under low light conditions, the plant struggles to cope resulting in its slow growth. Move the plant to bright yet indirect light to tackle this issue.
– Yellowing Leaves
Leaves of the pothos can turn yellow due to multiple reasons. Overwatering or underwatering, exposure to too much light and low humidity levels can result in this condition. Fix the problem by maintaining the right watering schedule. Place the plant in bright light and ensure there is enough humidity in the air around it.
– Leaves Losing Variegation
Another outcome of exposure to low light conditions is the loss of variegations on the leaf. With low energy available for the plant, it copes up by converting its variegations green. Move the plant into brighter light and you will see the plant get back to its usual self.
Does Jessenia Pothos Require Repotting?
Yes, jessenia pothos requires repotting to keep it growing healthy. As fast growers, the plant expands rapidly. The roots become root-bound or wrapped, growing into a mesh or ball inside the soil. The more tangled they get, the more difficult it becomes to seek nutrients.
Compacted roots don’t drain out water well eventually leading to the death of the plant. There is a risk of root rot as well. Thus, repotting once a year will tackle each one of these issues.
– Signs Plant Requires Repotting
If you notice any of the below signs, it indicates that it is time you repotted the pothos into a larger pot.
- The roots are sticking out of the drainage hole
- The roots are pushing the plant upward
- Leaves turning brown and curled
– How to Repot
You can easily repot your jessenia pothos plant by following these simple steps. The right time to repot is between the early spring to summer months to ensure the plant receives enough warmth to gain its strength before the chillness of fall and winter can set in.
- Flip the pot and gently tap at the base. Slide the plant out in its entirety.
- Loosen the soil around the mesh of roots. This is the time to inspect the roots for root rot. Snip away any blackened portions without damaging the main central root section.
- Place your plant in a new pot just two inches more in diameter than the older one. An overly big pot puts the plant at risk of being overwatered or underwatered.
- Fill in the gaps with fresh potting soil and lightly water to keep the soil moist all through.
- The plant will bear a withering look for some time as a result of transplantation stress. Keep it in a warm spot with indirect sunlight and you should see it limp back to life.
Five additional Tips
Want to get the best out of your pothos? Here are some additional tips to pay heed to.
- Create a greenhouse to give the epipremnum bright yet partial light. Use garden sheets or filters to block the harsh sun’s rays, yet ensure the plant receives its due warmth.
- Move your plant indoors when temperatures hit below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As much as the plant can survive in a range of temperatures, extreme cold is something it struggles to cope with. You can install glow lights over it indoors to ensure it receives enough warmth and light.
- Stick a pole or a rod in the middle of the plant so that the vines can cling to it. Mature stems can grow upright with the help of this support.
- When pruning your pothos, cut above the node to boost the stem to produce fresh growth. Rotate your plant to ensure it gets uniform light on all of its sides.
- And finally, the best way to reduce the impact of pest infestation is to tackle the problem as early as possible. As soon as you spot the first sign of this, quickly remove the pests by dabbing some alcohol with the help of cotton buds over the affected area.
FAQ
Can I plant Jessenia Pothos with other Pothos?
Yes, you can plant Jessenia Pothos with other Pothos varieties. They have similar growth habits and care requirements, so they can coexist well in the same pot or planter. Just be sure to provide enough space and nutrients for each plant to thrive.
What does Jessenia Pothos look like when it needs to be watered?
Jessenia Pothos typically shows signs of needing water when its leaves start to droop and wilt. The leaves may also appear dull and limp.
Is Jessenia Pothos easy to handle for beginners?
Jessenia Pothos is generally considered to be an easy-to-handle plant, making it a great choice for beginners. It is tolerant of a range of light and soil conditions, and its care requirements are relatively low.
Conclusion
You have now learned how the jessenia pothos can be easily grown even by inexperienced gardeners. Let us summarize our learning with the below-mentioned points.
- Jessenia pothos is a stress-free tropical trailing vine that is perfect for hanging baskets in indoor spaces and patios.
- It has distinctive heart-shaped leaves with creamish-yellow streaks on a dark green background.
- It is a hardy plant and can grow in a range of conditions without much of a problem. The ideal condition for the plant to thrive in is warm temperatures, high humidity, and well-draining soil.
- You can successfully propagate the plant through a healthy section of a mature mother plant and place it in water to root.
- Most problems of the plant can be tackled by maintaining a proper watering schedule and keeping pests at bay. Repot every year, to ensure the roots don’t ball into a mesh and get more space to spread and establish themselves.
Having read our detailed guide, you now know that growing jessenia pothos will not take up much of your time. Plant these long trailing vines in baskets and pots and see them fill up your space with a lot of greenery.
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