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Hi, I'm Judy Mirro, a UVM
Extension Master Gardener

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coming to you from the
University of Vermont Greenhouse.

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I'm here to help you
become a houseplant hero

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by providing some guidance on
caring for your houseplants.

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Today our focus is on Epipremnum aureum.

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It's common names are
devil's ivy and Pothos.

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It's a low maintenance, easy
to grow houseplant hailing

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from Southeast Asia

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where you'll find it
growing as a ground cover.

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The leaves are three to four inches wide

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and unmistakably heart shaped.

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Take a look at this.

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They are just beautiful.

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The leaves are often variegated

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with green and gold, green and cream

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and some varieties are just
all gold or just all green.

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I love the Pothos for
it's forgiving nature

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and glossy leaf no matter
which variety you choose.

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This one is the golden Pothos.

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Given the opportunity,
Pothos' vines can grow as long

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as 40 feet on long cascading stems.

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So if you're looking

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for a really easy to
grow hanging house plant,

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Pothos is the plant for you.

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They climb and gently adhere

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to things by using their aerial roots.

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The Pothos prefers a well-lit
area, but no direct sunlight.

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It can tolerate long periods in low light.

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This is an excellent plant
for the kitchen or bathroom

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where humidity levels tend
to be a little higher.

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But they'll do fine if
you keep their leaves free

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of dust and mist them
every once in a while.

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Use a soft cloth to dust them off.

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Plant them in a well-drained potting soil

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and allow them to dry
out between watering.

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Be sure your pot has lots

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of drainage holes and has a flat bottom.

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And don't forget the saucer
to capture that excess water

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because you wouldn't
wanna ruin your furniture.

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No need to fertilize the Pothos in winter

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but pick it up again in
the spring through fall.

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They don't require a lot of
fertilizer to keep them happy.

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So half strength
fertilizer every other week

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in the growing season is sufficient

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or just fertilize them once a month

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with regular strength
houseplant fertilizer.

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Any will do.

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Over time, leaves will age
and yellow and fall off.

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You'll end up with most

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of the leaves at the end of the stems.

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Not a problem.

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Just prune the stems
back to maintain a full

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and bushy plant.

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If you are frustrated with
the look of your Pothos,

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go ahead and cut it back.

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And I mean, way back.

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Just leave at least two inches

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of the plant from the
soil line to regenerate.

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It's that hardy.

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And the best part, the
Pothos' vines easily root

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in a glass of water in just a few weeks.

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You'll end up with so many plants,

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you won't know what to do with them.

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Pothos has few pests and problems,

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but it's occasionally affected
by some insects and diseases.

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Root rot is the Pothos nemesis.

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Over loving this plant
will be the death of it.

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Best to under water the
Pothos than over water it.

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If you see blackening of
the leaf margins or tips,

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your Pothos is telling you that you've

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either over watered, water too little,

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or you've given it too much fertilizer.

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Remember that by providing
your plants with the conditions

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and care they need, you too
can be a houseplant hero.

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For more information on
house plants or home gardens,

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visit the UVM Extension
Master Garden website

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and visit our garden resources page.

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Or contact an Extension
Master Gardener volunteer

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at the helpline.

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The phone number is on the screen.

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This is Extension Master
Gardener, Judy Mirro,

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wishing you happy gardening.