Epipremnum pinnatum

Scientific Name : Epipremnum pinnatum
Common Name : Centipede tongavine, Devil's Ivy, Silver Vine, Taro vine, Pothos

Scientific Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Liliopsida
Order Alismatales
Family Araceae
Subfamily Monsteroideae
Genus Epipremnum
Species E. pinnatum

Epipremnum pinnatum, commonly known as Pothos (once classified under genus Pothos) and Silver Vine, is an aroid native to southeast Asia(Malaysia, Indonesia) and New Guinea.

It is a liana growing to 20 m tall, with stems up to 4 cm diameter, climbing by means of aerial roots which hook over tree branches. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, heart-shaped, entire on juvenile plants, but irregularly pinnatifid on mature plants, up to 100 cm long and 45 cm broad (juvenile leaves much smaller, typically under 20 cm long). The flowers are produced in a spathe up to 23 cm long.

Cultivation and uses

It is a popular houseplant with numerous cultivars selected for leaves with white, yellow, or light green variegation. It is often used in decorative displays in shopping centres, offices, and other public locations largely because it is a very hardy plant that requires little care and is also attractively leafy. It is also very efficient at removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene and benzene.

As a houseplant it can reach two metres or more tall, given suitable support. For best results it requires low to medium light; bright light is tolerated, but lengthy spells of direct sun will scorch the leaves. The plant prefers a temperature of between 17 and 30 °C. Generally it only needs water when it begins to feel dry to the touch. For best results a liquid fertiliser can be added in spring, and they should be repotted every couple of years. However, this is a robust plant that can stand a fair degree of abuse. It will grow hydroponically quite readily.