Species Overview

Native to: Southeastern Asia through Malesia and Oceania

Golden pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum cv. Aureum) derives its name from the gold-colored variegation on its leaves, an attractive feature of this common houseplant. The ease in which this plant is propagated contributes to both its popularity as a houseplant and its invasiveness in natural areas. As a houseplant, golden pothos persists in a juvenile state with small leaves. If grown outside under natural conditions, the vine produces large adult leaves, climbs vigorously to the tops of trees and blankets the ground. The Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC, formerly FLEPPC) has labeled golden pothos as a category II invasive species, meaning these plants have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to an extent shown by category I species. This plant was not known in Florida's natural areas until recently and was first assessed by UF/IFAS for invasiveness in 2004 and again with a detailed report in 2012. Possibly the first wild collected specimen in Florida occurred in Palm Beach County, 1986 by Hansen, Wunderlin, and Kuhlman. 

Species Characteristics

Family: Araceae

Habit: Climbing vine with thick, fleshy stems with aerial roots that may reach approximately 100 feet into the tree canopy.  The vine may also form a dense ground cover.

Leaves: Alternate, waxy, smooth, heart-shaped, green or gold variegated with an immature leaf form that is simple, entire, and 3-4 inches long while the mature form can be 2-3 feet long with many dissections.

Flowers & fruit: Golden pothos rarely produces flowers in the Florida environment. Flowers are  a white to yellowish spadix and spathe inflorescence that produce a one or two-seeded berry.

Distribution: Typically found in South and Central Florida but has spread as far north as St. John’s County.

Impacts

The climbing habit of golden pothos over-tops trees and displaces native ferns and orchids. They also blanket terrestrial fern habitat by extending runners along the ground. The aggressive nature of spread paired with dense foliage poses a high risk of out-competing native vegetation for space and sunlight which would detrimentally alter the community structure.  The plant is poisonous when eaten by humans and dogs and can cause minor skin irritation when touched due to oxalate crystals typical of members of the Araceae family.

UF/IFAS does not recommend planting golden pothos outdoors in Florida. Golden pothos also roots well from small stem fragments, which have been a mechanism for expansion into natural areas adjacent to its cultivation. Do not place unwanted plants or cuttings from yard waste in nearby natural areas as establishment and spread is likely.

Hand pulling vines can be done, but it is very difficult as stems often break above the ground. Removing entire climbing vines from trees is also possible, but very difficult as they are tightly anchored to the bark and may fragment, leaving sections intact on the tree. Use care when hand pulling as golden pothos contains a mildly toxic sap that irritates skin, mouth, and eyes. Wear gloves and long sleeves. Additionally, severing all vines above the ground will not kill the climbing vines. Golden pothos can survive epiphytically for many months and will produce new aerial roots that grow down into the soil.

Use of a string trimmer or mower is NOT recommended due to the toxic sap released when leaves and stems are cut. Mowing is rarely an option in forested wetlands where golden pothos is invasive.

There are no biological controls currently available for golden pothos.

Foliar treatments with triclopyr ester and acid products at 2-3% concentration are effective at burning down the foliage but will not completely kill creeping stems with a single treatment. To better penetrate the waxy leaves, a methylated seed oil adjuvant is recommended with any foliar spray application. Climbing vines and roots may be poodle-cut around the tree and immediately dipped in a 50% glyphosate solution for 2-5 seconds. Vines with a wider than 1-inch diameter may be less affected and should be treated when transpiration rates are highest such as in the middle of the day. Monitoring after six months for efficacy and retreatment after twelve months is encouraged to control regrowth. Some large vines may take over twelve months to completely die.