If you’re looking for a beautiful and easy-care houseplant, the pearls and jade pothos is a fantastic choice. This rare variegated houseplant offers stunning foliage without the fuss of more difficult varieties.
With its creamy white, silver, and green leaves, it adds a touch of elegance to any room. It’s a cultivar of the classic Epipremnum aureum, known for its incredible resilience. Let’s look at how to keep yours thriving.
Pearls and Jade Pothos – Rare Variegated Houseplant
This particular pothos stands out from its relatives. It was developed by the University of Florida, setting it apart from the similar-looking N’Joy pothos. The main differences are in the variegation pattern and leaf size.
Pearls and Jade features more green speckling and streaking within its white sections. The leaves also tend to be a bit smaller. Its slow, compact growth habit makes it perfect for desks or shelves.
Ideal Light Conditions
Like most pothos, this plant is adaptable. But to maintain its beautiful variegation, proper light is key.
- Bright, Indirect Light: This is the sweet spot. It encourages growth and keeps the white patterns vibrant.
- Medium Light: It will survive here, but growth will be slower.
- Low Light: Not recommended. The plant will become leggy, and leaves may revert to mostly green.
- Direct Sun: Avoid harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the delicate leaves.
Watering Your Plant Correctly
Overwatering is the fastest way to harm your pothos. They prefer to dry out a bit between drinks.
- Check the soil by sticking your finger about 2 inches down.
- If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water thoroughly.
- Water until you see it drain freely from the bottom of the pot.
- Empty the drainage saucer after a few minutes so the roots aren’t sitting in water.
- In winter, you can water less frequently as growth slows.
Signs of Watering Issues
Yellow leaves often mean too much water. Wilted, crispy leaves usually mean it’s been too dry for to long. Adjust your schedule based on what you see.
Soil and Potting Needs
A well-draining potting mix is essential. You can use a standard houseplant mix, but consider adding some perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage. This prevents the soil from staying soggy.
Repotting is only needed every 1-2 years, or when roots start growing out of the drainage holes. Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger in diameter.
Fertilizing for Healthy Growth
Feed your plant during the active growing season (spring and summer). A balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer works great.
- Dilute the fertilizer to half the strength recommended on the label.
- Apply it once a month.
- Stop fertilizing completely in fall and winter when the plant isn’t actively growing.
Over-fertilizing can damage the roots and cause brown leaf tips, so less is more.
Pruning and Propagation
Pruning helps maintain a bushy shape. Simply trim back any long vines just above a leaf node. The great news is you can turn those cuttings into new plants!
How to Propagate in Water
- Cut a 4-6 inch stem tip, ensuring it has at least 3-4 leaves.
- Remove the leaf closest to the cut end, revealing a node.
- Place the cutting in a jar of water, making sure the node is submerged.
- Put it in bright, indirect light and change the water weekly.
- In a few weeks, you’ll see roots develop. Wait until they are a few inches long before potting in soil.
Common Pests and Problems
This pothos is generally pest-resistant, but it can occasionally attract common houseplant bugs.
- Mealybugs: Look for white, cottony masses. Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Spider Mites: Tiny webs and speckled leaves are a sign. Rinse the plant in the shower or treat with insecticidal soap.
- Fungus Gnats: These small flies indicate overly moist soil. Let the soil dry out more between waterings and use sticky traps.
Most issues can be solved with early detection and a simple treatment.
Why Leaves Might Lose Variegation
If your pearls and jade starts producing mostly green leaves, it’s usually due to insufficient light. The plant is reverting to a form that can produce more chlorophyll to survive. Move it to a brighter location (still indirect light), and new growth should show the proper variegation again. You can also prune off the all-green vines.
Perfect Placement in Your Home
This plant’s trailing vines look beautiful in many spots. Consider placing it on a high shelf, in a hanging basket, or on a bookshelf where its vines can cascade down. It also does well in offices under fluorescent lights. Just keep it away from cold drafts or heating vents, which can stress the plant.
FAQ Section
Is the pearls and jade pothos really rare?
While more common than it once was, it is still considered a less common find than the golden pothos. You may need to check specialty nurseries or online plant shops.
How is it different from an N’Joy pothos?
The Pearls and Jade pothos has more speckling and flecks of green on the white areas, while N’Joy has more solid, blocky sections of white and green with clearer separation.
Is this plant pet friendly?
No. Like all pothos, it is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. It’s best to keep it out of reach of curious pets.
Why are the leaves on my variegated pothos turning brown?
Brown tips can be from low humidity, over-fertilizing, or inconsistent watering. Whole brown leaves often point to root rot from overwatering.
How fast does a pearls and jade grow?
It’s considered a slower-growing pothos variety. With good light and proper care, you can expect moderate growth during the spring and summer months.
Can it purify the air?
Studies, like the famous NASA Clean Air Study, have shown pothos plants can help remove certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air. But you’d need a lot of plants for a significant effect.
With it’s stunning looks and easy-going nature, the pearls and jade pothos is a rewarding plant for any indoor gardener. By providing the right light, careful watering, and occasional feeding, you’ll enjoy its beautiful variegated leaves for years to come. Remember, the key is to mimic it’s natural tropical environment without overcomplicating things.