Scindapsus aureus (Devil's Ivy) Care Indoors, Propagation, Common Problems & Solutions

Last updated on February 01 2026

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Scindapsus aureus (Pothos) grow best in medium to bright indirect light, moderately warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Not only does it purify indoor air, but Scindapsus aureus also thrives in various lighting conditions and requires minimal care. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced plant lover, this guide will help you keep your Devil's Ivy healthy and thriving.

Scindapsus aureus also called Devil's Ivy, Devil's Vine or Money Plant are favorite Pothos Varieties due to their air-purifying properties and easy of care even for a beginner.

Scindapsus aureus also called Epipremnum aureum is among hard to kill plants that easily adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.

Pothos Scindapsus aureus are popular low-maintenance plants and are generally pest resistant. If kept away from drafts, direct sunlight and with moderate watering, they will thrive.

Devil's Ivy are fast-growing plants reaching up to 6 feet or more under good conditions. They can be grown as trailing or climbing plants.

Their aerial roots need to be provided with support; a moss stick or trellis are ideal to provide support. The stems can also be allowed to trail in a hanging basket, on a pedestal or a tabletop.

Botanical name: Scindapsus aureus
Synonym: Epipremnum aureum
Family: Araceae
Common names: Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Devil's Vine, Money Plant

Origin

Scindapsus aureus are native to Mo'orea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia but has also become naturalised in tropical and sub-tropical forests worldwide.

Varieties

Epipremnum aureum has many varieties which include;

Epipremnum aureum 'Neon' (Neon Pothos)

Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen' (Marble Queen Pothos)

Epipremnum aureum 'Manjula' (Manjula Pothos)

Epipremnum aureum 'Pearls and Jade' (Pearls & Jade Pothos)

Epipremnum aureum 'N'Joy' (N'Joy Pothos)

Epipremnum aureum 'Snow Queen' (Snow Queen Pothos)

Epipremnum aureum 'Jade' (Jade Pothos) among others.

Is Scindapsus aureus an air-purifier?

Yes. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Scindapsus aureus were found to be among effective air-cleaning plants, and get rid of xylene, toulene, benzene, formaldehyde and ammonia from indoor air.

Is Scindapsus aureus toxic to pets?

Scindapsus aureus are toxic to both humans and pets according to ASPCA. They contain Calcium oxalate crystals, which if ingested can cause burning and swelling in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Keep the plants from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishap. Devil's Ivy are toxic to cats, dogs, horses and other pets.

Why grow Scindapsus aureus Pothos indoors?

• Low maintenance: It tolerates neglect and still grows well.


• Air-purifying: It filters toxins from indoor air, improving air quality.


• Versatile: Can trail beautifully or be trained to climb.


• Easy to propagate: It is effortlessy propagated through stem cuttings.


• Adaptable: Thrives in various light conditions.


• Drought-Tolerant: Can survive low water conditions.


• Fast growing: Under right conditions it grows rapidly.

Where to Buy

Pothos Scindapsus aureus are a great addition to your collection to elevate your home ambiance. You may obtain these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to Care for Scindapsus aureus Indoors

To care for Scindapsus aureus indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-29⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, Pothos potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Pothos Plant care requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to promote a bushy growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is needed only when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water Scindapsus aureus?

Do not water on a schedule. Water Scindapsus aureus liberally in spring and summer until water flows out through the drainage hole. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting stems, yellow leaves and leaf loss.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

To avoid cold shock which can lead to stunted growth and leaf fall, water with water that is at room temperature. In addition, ensure to use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Light Requirements

What is the best place for Scindapsus aureus?

Scindapsus aureus prefers medium to bright indirect light (filtered light); place infront of a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves; brown leaf marks.

Devil's Ivy can tolerate lower light but the variegation will fade in poor light. The more variegated types require more light than the all-green varieties.

Too little light will result in yellowing and leggy growth with long gaps between leaves. Move it to a brighter spot or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for a balanced growth and to prevent leggy growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Scindapsus aureus thrives in a warmth of 18-29⁰C with a minimum of 12⁰C in winter. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.

Keep your Pothos away from sources of drafts like AC units, open doors, drafty windows, hot air vents and others as they can cause sudden temperature changes which lead to stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Devil's Ivy have no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for these plants. However, if the air is too dry, the plant will respond with brown leaf tips and edges.

To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together, or use a cool mist humidifier. Do not mist the leaves and maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed your Scindapsus aureus Pothos with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.

Take care not to over-fertilize as it can lead to salts buildup, which causes leaf browning. Flush the soil occasionally with water to prevent this.

Potting Soil

Devil's Ivy soil should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most potting mixes designed for Pothos and those designed for aroids are ideal for these plants.

Repotting

Repot your Devil's Ivy during the growing season only when the plant is pot-bound. Use a rich, free-draining soil and a pot one size larger than the current one. Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent sogginess which can lead to root-rot. Take a look at these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning & Maintenance

Pruning Scindapsus aureus involves frequent removal of any dead foliage to keep the plant neat as well as minimize pests and diseases infestations.

Pinch off the growing tips to encourage bushyness and prevent the plant from becoming straggly.

Cutback the stems at the beginning of the growing season when they become straggly to rejuvenate growth. The foliage emanating from the pruning can be used to propagate new plants.

Regularly damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestations.

Propagation: How to multiply Scindapsus aureus

Scindapsus aureus propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings. The cuttings can be rooted either in soil or in water.

Preparing Scindapsus aureus Pothos stem cuttings

Take a 4-6 inches stem cutting from a healthy plant. Ensure the cutting has at least two leaf nodes and some aerial roots.

Strip off the lower leaves to expose the stem.

1. Scindapsus aureus propagation from stem cuttings in soil

1. Insert 2-3 inches of the exposed stem in moist rooting soil. Ascertain at least one leaf node together with the aerial roots are covered under soil.


2. To hasten rooting, cover the set up with polythene to create a greenhouse effect.


3. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


4. Maintain the soil moist through out. Rooting should take about 2-3 weeks.


5. Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting into a pot one size larger after which you can begin routine care. The new plant will be ready to be transplanted in about 2-3 months.

2. Scindapsus aureus propagation from stem cuttings in water

1. Place 2-3 inches of the exposed stem in a jar of plain water, ensure at least one leaf node is covered in water as well as the aerial roots.


2. Place the set up in a well-lit spot away from direct sunshine.


3. Change the water every once 5-7 days to prevent fungal growth.


4. When the roots are about 2 inches long, start acclimating them to grow in soil. Rooting Pothos in water should take about 3-4 weeks.


5. To acclimate the roots to growing in soil, add a little soil daily into the rooting jar over a period of time until when there is more soil than water in the rooting jar.


6. The new plant is ready for transplanting when the roots have grown to about 4 inches long after which you can begin routine care.

Scindapsus aureus Common Problems & Remedies

What are common Scindapsus aureus problems?

Common Scindapsus aureus problems are yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, leggy growth, brown leaf edges, curled leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellow leaves

Yellow leaves on Scindapsus aureus Pothos are caused by poor lighting, inconsistent watering, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency, salts buildup, poor soil quality, being pot-bound, diseases, pests among others.

Check out these 12 Reasons Pothos Plant Leaves are Turning Yellow and How to Fix Them.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Scindapsus aureus are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, heat sources, AC units, windy doors and windows among others.

Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips on Scindapsus aureus Pothos are caused by are caused by dry air, underwatering, soggy soil, being pot-bound or salts buildup.

How to fix it

Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use acool mist humidifier or group the plants together

Underwatering: Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out; avoid delayed watering.

Soggy soil: Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil. Use a pot with a drainage hole. Always discard excess water that remains on the saucer after watering.

Being pot-bound: Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing thorough the drainage hole and repot the plant into a pot 1 size larger.

Salts buildup: Regularly leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Scindapsus aureus is caused by too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Brown leaf edges

Brown leaf edges on Pothos Scindapsus aureus are caused by underwatering. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Never allow the rootball to dry out completely.

Curled leaves

Curled leaves on Scindapsus aureus are caused by sudden changes in temperature due to drafts. Keep the plant away from drafts to maintain a warmth of 18-29⁰C.

Pests

Common pests on Scindapsus aureus are spider mites and mealybugs which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.


3. Regularly inspect the plant under the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


5. To raise humidity, use a cool mist humidifier, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, or group the plants together.

Diseases

Scindapsus aureus Pothos is prone to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellow leaves, leaf drop and rotting stems.

How to fix it

1. Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.


2. Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.


3. Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.


4. Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh potting soil.


5. Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent sogginess.


6. Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, well-lit spot.


7. Withhold watering until new growth appears and avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.

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