Epipremnum amplissimum

Western Pacific rainforests are home to Epipremnum amplissimum

Across New Guinea, the Bismarck and Solomon regions, Vanuatu and Queensland, Epipremnum amplissimum climbs through wet tropical forest.

Building mature growth in Epipremnum amplissimum

Give the vine a pole, plank or textured support from an early stage. Uninterrupted climbing and aerial-root contact encourage larger mature leaves.

• Light and water: Use bright filtered light. Water thoroughly after the upper portion of the mix has dried and let the pot drain.
• Root zone: Choose an airy, moisture-retentive aroid mix and keep the plant around 18–28 °C with moderate humidity and airflow.
• Pruning: Root node cuttings for propagation. Frequent tip pruning produces smaller juvenile growth, so limit it when larger leaves are the goal.
• Growth cycle: Feed lightly during active extension, reduce water and nutrition in cool dim periods and repot when roots crowd the pot or the mix compacts.

Juvenile growth in Epipremnum amplissimum

Long narrow leaves are normal for this species. Low-light stretching is more likely when the gaps between leaves lengthen and each new leaf becomes smaller or softer.

A vine may remain juvenile even when it is old if it repeatedly trails or loses root contact. Allow one healthy shoot to climb without interruption before deciding that the plant cannot form mature leaves.

Epipremnum amplissimum is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Who first published Epipremnum amplissimum, and what does the name mean?

Epipremnum combines Greek epi, meaning upon, with premnon, meaning tree trunk, referring to the way the vine attaches to a support. Amplissimum means ‘very large’ or ‘very broad’, indicating exceptional breadth or size.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Epipremnum in 1857 in Bonplandia (Hannover), volume 5, page 45.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described it as Rhaphidophora amplissima in 1863 in Annales Musei Botanici Lugduno-Batavi, volume 1, page 129. Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler later placed it in Epipremnum as Epipremnum amplissimum in 1880 in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, volume 1, page 182.