Epipremnum aureum 'Neon' ('Neon Pothos', 'Golden Pothos')

Neon by the early 2000s

‘Neon’ was already in cultivation by 2004. The species, Epipremnum aureum, comes from the wet forests of Mo‘orea. Its stems begin near the ground, then aerial roots fasten them to tree trunks. As the vine climbs, the stems thicken and the leaves grow much larger.

Care for supported aroid vines

• Light: Epipremnum ‘Neon’ grows compactly in bright, filtered light. The chartreuse colour is normal for the plant and is not a reliable light or nutrient gauge by itself.
• Watering: Water when the top of the rootball is nearly dry while the lower part remains slightly moist. Repeated hard wilting restricts leaf growth, while constant wetness deprives roots of air.
• Substrate and pot: Choose an airy, mildly acidic aroid substrate that holds moderate moisture. Use a pot with drainage openings and avoid a large jump in container size.
• Temperature and humidity: Steady indoor warmth suits the plant. Protect it from cold draughts, chilly sills and hot, dry radiator air.
• Climbing: A textured pole or board gives the aerial roots at each node, where a leaf can emerge, a surface to grip. Upward attachment with adequate light encourages larger leaves, although the species usually keeps broad, unsplit leaves.

Neon pothos: colour and plant health

• A dark-green shoot: A strongly green sector or vine can begin when its shoot tip starts producing only green tissue; it does not signal improved health. Light and fertiliser will not recreate the chartreuse pattern in that shoot. Remove it at its origin only when keeping the plant evenly chartreuse is preferred.
• Bleached or blackened patches: Sun and heat can bleach the light-facing surface, although this may be subtle against chartreuse tissue. Cold can make leaves dark and water-soaked. Remove the exposure and track the margin; stable dead tissue can be trimmed later, while spreading softness requires root and stem checks.
• Feeding damage: Thrips produce silver scars and black dots, mites cause pinpoint mottling and sometimes fine webbing, and mealybugs or scale leave insects, wax or sticky deposits. Inspect leaf undersides, leaf-stalk bases and nodes. Remove visible pests. Choose an indoor-foliage control whose label names the pest, then check it on one small leaf area. If the test leaves no mark, cover the hidden junctions and affected surfaces. Repeat only when its directions require it.
• Yellowing with wilt: Because the foliage begins yellow-green, rely on leaf firmness, progression and roots. A dry, firm rootball needs thorough rehydration; a wet ball with soft, dark roots points to oxygen loss or disease. Remove failed roots and use a clean, porous substrate. Do not continue watering while damaged roots remain.

Epipremnum aureum 'Neon' ('Neon Pothos', 'Golden Pothos') is toxic to pets

• This confirmed member of Araceae is classified as Toxic under the catalogue's user-approved all-aroids rule.
• Keep it out of reach and contact a veterinarian after suspected ingestion or concerning exposure.

Upon a tree trunk in Greek; aureum means golden

Epipremnum combines Greek epi, meaning upon, with premnon, meaning tree trunk, referring to the way the vine attaches to a support. The epithet aureum is Latin for golden, referring to the yellow or gold variegation common in the species.