The scientific name of Pothos is Epipremnum aureum. The houseplant has been tried, and you might consider having it in your homestead.
There are different types of Pothos plants; however, we’ll focus more on the Manjula Pothos.
About Manjula Pothos
Manjula Pothos has heart-shaped leaves that are wide and green. The foliage has been variegated using shades of white, silver, light green, and cream. Every leaf is different. Most of the leaves usually have large patches that are green in color. The other leaves will be heavily splashed and flecked. The scientific name of the plant is Epipremnum aureum Manjula.
Temperature and Humidity
The Manjula Pothos is a tropical plant, and it is temperature tolerant. The plant can withstand temperatures of at least six degrees Celsius, and it won’t incur any damage. The plant can also withstand high temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius as long as there is some shade.
While the plant is able to withstand both high and low temperatures, it can’t thrive at both ends. The plant will do well in regions whose temperature ranges from 10 to 35 degrees Celsius. The plant also prefers high humidity ranging from 60 to 90 percent. When the humidity levels are high, the aerial roots of the Manjula Pothos will start to develop.
How to Plant a Manjula Pothos
We’ll now look into what it takes to grow the Manjula Pothos plant.
The Most Suitable Potting
The soil should be acidic-to-neutral. The PH should range from 6 to 6.5. It means that the houseplant soil from the local garden center will be suitable.
If the Manjula Pothos plant you’re buying is already potted, you need to check whether the pot is large enough. Also, check whether the plant has outgrown the pot by checking the number of roots that have grown out underneath.
If the plant has outgrown the pot, you should go ahead and look for good quality soil and put the plant in a larger pot. The pot you use should have good drainage. The Pothos plants don’t like being too wet since the roots will start to rot. To avoid some of these issues, you should avoid watering the plant unless it has become too dry.
If you notice the leaves are turning brown, it might be because of the direct sunlight. Also, it is a sign of root rot. Ensure you’ve removed the plant from that pot and cut off all the roots that are rotting. You’ll then re-pot the plant in fresh soil.
If the damage is too much, you can save the plant through propagation. We’ll look into how you can propagate the Pothos plant below.
Watering the Manjula Pothos
The plant doesn’t need too much water to avoid issues such as root rot. If you notice the soil is too dry, you can water the plant. Water the plant sparingly. Fortunately, for the Manjula Pothos, the plant requires little human intervention, and it is a suitable choice for beginners.
We tend to worry too much about potted plants such that we ensure they have enough water, and we may end up overwatering them. The main issue with overwatering is that you’ll end up killing the plant instead of encouraging the plant to thrive.
You only need to water the plant every two weeks. After that, you can add a little water every time. Ensure the water is less chlorinated. You can top up the water levels in the soil using bottled water instead of tap water. It doesn’t mean that tap water will harm the plant. However, if you reside in an area where the water has high chlorine levels, you should leave the water in an open area where the chlorine will evaporate. After that, you can go ahead and use the water on the house plants.
Feeding the Plant
When you purchase the plant at the local store, you should keep in mind the soil doesn’t contain all the nutrients the plant needs. For starters, you need to check the condition of the roots of the plant is in a pot.
After re-potting the plant into soil that is of better quality, the feeding won’t be an issue. If the quality of the soil is good, the plant will have enough nutrients for a few months. The plant also thrives during Summer and Spring. You can top up the nutrients using liquid fertilizer at certain intervals.
Pruning and Growth
The plant is easy to look after. You’ll need little effort as you care for the plant. The Manjula Pothos does not flower, and you can keep it indoors. While in the jungle, the plant flowers when it reaches the mature stage. However, flowering is not a common occurrence for indoor plants.
Some people also refer to the Manjula Pothos as Happy Leaf Pothos since you won’t get flowers; however, you’ll get undulating, wavy, and beautiful flowers from the plant. They seem to be pretty vibrant similar to flowers. There comes the point when the plant stops growing upwards, and it instead grows outwards. As an indoor plant, you can use a hanging basket.
Although the plants won’t grow horizontally, you need to train them to grow on a surface. The plant can also be trained to grow vertically. If the plant has ceased to grow, you can go ahead and cut the stem that has been affected, and the new stem will appear.
For starters, you need to check whether the plant is pot-bound. A pot-bound it will have a healthy growth rate. The plant can also outgrow its pot. If the roots are growing out, you can go ahead and split the plant, and the propagating will take place well.
Propagating the Manjula Pothos
You might have watched one of your colleagues doing this. When you see a plant that has been cultivated in a loving manner, you can’t resist trying it yourself.
For the Manjula Pothos, the propagation process is easy. If you happen to cut one of the stems off by mistake, you can insert it in a jar filled with water or soil that is moisturized. The stem will start to grow some roots in the process. Within a short period, you’ll have a new plant.
Finding the Right Part to Cut
To begin the propagation process, you need to find the right part to cut on the stem, and the aerial roots will start to grow from that part. Basically, it’s a root on the vines. The stems get ready to grow, and they do so fast and can be transported easily.
The stem should be snipped off just below an aerial root and then placed in water in an upright position. You should consider investing in some test tubes. They come in handy if you want to propagate different kinds of cuttings. They also look good, and they stand upright on the stand.
You can also watch as the roots emerge from the stem. After seeing the roots sprouting, you can move the plant to a pot. The soil should be damp and nice to ensure the roots won’t experience any shock after being submerged in soil from the water. After ensuring the plant has adjusted well, you can give it less water.
Where to Keep Sapling
As the sapling grows, it will divert all its energy to new roots. For this reason, you’ll have trouble regulating the humidity levels. You should ensure the plant is nice and warm.
The sapling can thrive in a greenhouse. The heat and access to light ensure the plant is growing under the right conditions. For the people without a greenhouse, a bottle of water will do.
Splitting the Manjula Pothos
After the plant outgrows the pot, how do you go about everything? If the plant becomes too large, there is no need to worry. The plant can be divided into two and sized down when you notice that cutting the stem isn’t enough.
When you separate the roots and tear them apart, you’ll take the new Manjula Pothos and keep one and issue the other to a friend. The plant can easily adapt to new conditions. So, there is no need to worry about the plant incurring any damage when you split it into new sections.
Pests or Diseases
When you keep the plant indoors, it will be affected by common houseplant issues. Excessive watering will cause fungal diseases to appear, such as root rot or leaf spot.
As a potted plant, the root growth won’t be as extensive. Most of the people who haven’t grown the Manjula Pothos before usually overwater and overpot, and the plant ends up suffering. A weakened plant can be brought down easily by pests such as mealybugs or spider mites. Overcrowding should also be avoided. Proper watering and good ventilation should also help to avoid some of these issues.
Is the Plant Toxic?
It is fun to watch the Manjula Pothos grow. However, you should know the plants are toxic. If you ingest the leaves of the Manjula Pothos, you’ll end up experiencing some gastrointestinal issues such as stomach pains and vomiting. You’ll also experience nausea. Some painful sores will appear in your mouth; excessive salivation will also pose a major issue.
The Manjula Pothos is also toxic to animals. Reptiles, on the other hand, don’t seem to be affected by the plant. However, cats and dogs begin experiencing varying symptoms after ingesting the plant. For a human being, ingesting the plant won’t pose major issues. However, it can kill a cat or dog after ingestion.
When a pet chews on the leaves of the Manjula Pothos, you should seek the services of a veterinary doctor immediately. If any of your pets is fond of chewing leaves, you should keep the plant in an area that is hard to reach. You can also insert lemon or orange peels in the pot since they work as fertilizers, and they’ll also keep the pets away since they don’t like the smell of citrus. Hanging baskets come in handy since the children and pets can’t easily reach the plant.
Some of the suitable companions for the Manjula Pothos plant include:
Snake Plant
The snake plant is low maintenance, the same as the Manjula Pothos. If you’re lazy and don’t have much time to attend to your plants, the snake plant is a viable choice.
The plant can withstand different light variations. Also, it can survive in the darkness comfortably. With the snake plant, you should avoid too little water or excessive water.
The plants usually grow in the tropics, and they can attain a height of at least three feet. There are different varieties, and the main distinction is the variegation and foliage. The drought-resistant variety is suitable for the Manjula Pothos.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is also referred to as the Airplane plant. The plant normally grows in the tropics. As a houseplant, it will grow with minimal issues. The plant also has some resemblance to the spider web.
The foliage is striking, and the thin leaves have a mix of green and white. The plant also needs to be watered regularly. Ensure you haven’t over-watered the soil. Also, ensure the plant is exposed to the sun. Some shade is also suitable. The plant’s height is between 24 to 36 inches. It also has white blooms, and it is quite resilient.
Final Thoughts
Are you looking for an indoor houseplant that needs minimal attention? You should opt for the Manjula Pothos. The plant requires little water and sunlight for it to thrive. The plant care guide above enlightens you about all you need to know about the Manjula Pothos.
Some of the things you should avoid include overwatering since it will lead to root rot. You can also propagate the plant by cutting the right part on the stem. You can place the part into the water in a test tube, and aerial roots will start to develop. Keep in mind the plant is toxic. Ensure it is kept away from pets such as cats and dogs.
For human beings, the effects of ingesting the plant won’t be as dangerous. On the other hand, if a cat or dog ingests the plant, it may result in sudden death.
