Description of vines from the genus Epipremnum, an overview of individual varieties, recommendations for care, consideration of breeding methods and the fight against the main problems. Epipremnums are called a genus of densely branching perennial vines, which are part of the large Aroid family (Latin Araceae). At the moment, there are about 30 varieties of them, but each of them has whole or dissected, like feathers, leaves that sit on an elongated petiole. The surface of the vines is leathery and smooth, and the color of individual species can vary greatly. The plant blooms only in its natural habitats; it has not yet been possible to achieve the appearance of inflorescences at home.
General description of the epipremnum
The genus got its name from the Greek word, which means "on the trunk", hinting at the semi-epiphytic lifestyle of the epipremnum. There are many names that ordinary people gave to the plant. For example, on the American continent, it sounds like the Golden Sweat. On the lands of Great Britain, he was given the name Devil's Ivy. In botany, the scientific designation in Latin is Epipremnum aureum. In addition, instead of the term epipremnum, one can sometimes hear scindapsus - also a very common second name of the genus.
At the moment, this is the most unpretentious ampelous plant, which looks very impressive, but at the same time does not force the grower to create specific conditions for humidity, illumination, etc. glossy surface and beautiful variegated color pleasantly delight today with their decorative appearance.
Basic requirements for growing epipremnum
As already mentioned, epipremnum refers to rather unpretentious plants that develop quickly if they are placed in warm rooms, making sure that the air is not too dry, and periodically fed. The location for this kind of lianas can be chosen quite varied, since they perfectly climb the pillars, walls or stair railings, and can also grow, like all ampelous plants. In the latter case, they are suspended in a pot, allowing the branches to hang down. A very popular method has become the cultivation of epipremnum on an upright pipe covered with moss, which retains moisture for a long time, transferring it to the aerial root system.
Scindapsus has become an ideal plant for those people who would like to landscap an apartment or office, but at the same time do not have the time and proper experience to care for. In addition, beautiful vines with variegated colors can be grown in any room without thinking about the light source or its intensity, respectively, epipremnum can decorate with its presence a bedroom or, for example, a study.
At the same time, it is quite easy to regulate the appearance and size of the plant. If there is no desire for it to grow strongly, then you can force the scindapsus to stretch upward. At the same time, by hanging it in a pot on a hook in the wall or placing it on a shelf, the vines are able to stretch down to 3-5 m in length. In the latter case, it is only required to periodically untangle them so that a tight chaotic tangle does not form.
Useful facts about epipremnum
Very great importance is attached to scindapsus in the East, where it is believed that this plant can intensively accumulate the vital energy of Chi, distributing it then to places that need it, replenishing the imbalance.
Feng Shui specialists argue that the energy of the epipremnum has a positive effect on the results of social and professional affairs, and also helps to advance the career ladder. Among the miraculous properties that are also attributed to representatives of scindapsus: stimulating intellectual development, increasing endurance, pragmatism and organizational skills. It is believed that in the premises where epipremnum grows, optimism, cheerfulness and enthusiasm will reign. According to oriental experts, the plant has a positive effect on the mental and physical health of a person, but it should be grown in spacious rooms.
According to the observations of Western scientists, the cultivation of lianas allows you to clean the air of living quarters from dust and various harmful fumes.
Types of epipremnum
- Golden (in Latin Epipremnum aureum). The second official name is "Golden Scindapsus". This is one of the most common ornamental species, which has beautiful leathery leaves with a variegated golden-yellow scattering of stripes and spots on a dark green background. Their sizes in adult plants: up to 60 cm in length and up to 30–40 in width. The leaf pattern of individual varieties can differ significantly. For example, in golden pothos, they are almost entirely yellowish-golden, and in the marble queen, the main color is silver-white.
- Considering the golden appearance of the epipremnum, one cannot fail to mention the variety Pearls and jade (in Latin, the full name is Epipremnum aureum "Pearls and Jade"). This variety was bred from the Marble Queen by American growers. Its distinctive feature is its compact dimensions, which are unusual for other decorative representatives of the Epipremnum genus. In a mature plant, the size of the leaves reaches 8 cm in length and 5 cm in width. The color is spotted, consisting of green, white and gray-green shades. You can hardly find two leaves of the same color on one plant, but this is by no means a minus, but on the contrary - the vines of the Pearl and jade varieties look very original. Moreover, the leaves themselves are not smooth, as in most other epipremnums, but are distinguished by a tuberous surface. The stem of the plant is predominantly green with white longitudinal stripes. The petioles are long and almost equal to the leaves that are attached to them. This variety has gained particular popularity not only for its spectacular appearance, but also for its unpretentiousness to growing conditions. The only thing that the plant desperately needs is sufficient illumination, without which the attractive appearance can fade.
- The next species is called forest (in lat. E. silvaticum Alderw.) … This is easily explained, because his homeland is the swampy forests of Sumatra and Indonesia. The plant is a long (up to 6 meters) liana of a very graceful shape. Individual leaves have an oval-lanceolate structure and a beautiful glossy surface of an emerald hue. Leaf sizes: up to 15–20 cm in length and 5–6 cm in width. An interesting decorative look is obtained due to small internodes.
- Feathery (in Latin Epipremnum pinnatum). This variety lives in India and China, and due to its size has earned the title of the largest liana in the entire Araceae family. In places of natural growth, it stretches in length by 35-40 meters! Under artificial conditions, the growth is not so intense and some representatives of cultivated plants demonstrate the length of vines no more than 10 meters. The leaves have a beautiful deep dark green hue, and in adult epipremnums, their shape becomes feathery dissected, for which this species got its name. When grown in residential premises, the plant is completely unpretentious to the conditions, develops at an average speed and does not reach gigantic sizes.
- Painted epipremnum (in Latin Scindapsus pictus) - a kind of angular tall liana, growing up to 15 m. In young plants, the stem is smooth, but in the process of growing up, warts form on it, the size and number of which grows every year. The leaves sit on short petioles, are ovoid. They are 12–15 cm long and 6–7 cm wide. The most widespread varieties are argyraeus and exotica. In the first of these, shortened leaves act as a distinctive feature, which at the same time retain the characteristic width of the species and exhibit a deep green color with regular silvery spots. The exotica variety is characterized by a leaf pattern with elongated gray strokes and wide silvery spots.
Epipremnum care
- Lighting. The genus epipremnum usually does not require good lighting for growing and the plants thrive even in shaded areas. But it should be borne in mind that the choice of very dark areas in the leaves causes a slowdown in the natural processes of photosynthesis, which leads to the cessation of their development and the loss of a beautiful saturated green hue. At the same time, the placement of vines in places where direct sunlight penetrates has a negative effect on the condition of the plants. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the color of the leaves becomes pale gray, they begin to dry out and fall off. When choosing a place for growing scindapsus, it is best to stop at areas that are located within 1-2 meters from windows that give a lot of light. The issue of illumination is especially acute for variegated varieties that instantly react to uncomfortable conditions, losing their beautiful color.
- Temperature. Epipremnum develops well at normal room temperature, so it does not need to be provided with a special climatic regime. But still, one should not forget that hot countries are the homeland of vines, so the plant loves warmth and is afraid of drafts. If possible, in summer it would be good for him to provide a temperature within 20-25 degrees, and in winter not to let it drop less than 15 degrees.
- Air humidity. Scindapsus does not need additional moisture when grown at home, but only if the temperature is not constantly kept above 22 degrees. Otherwise, it is necessary to periodically spray the aerial roots and leaves, be sure to use only soft water for this, since the use of hard water will leave ugly spots on the leaves.
- Watering. Plants from the genus Epipremnum like moderate watering throughout the year, so the earthy coma is allowed to dry out a little before the next addition of water. In winter, if the vines grow in rooms where the air temperature is 15-17 degrees, the watering intensity can be slightly reduced. When a large amount of moisture accumulates in the soil, it begins to protrude in the form of large drops from the back of the leaves. This is a sure sign of excess water, indicating that the amount or frequency of addition should be reduced.
- Top dressing scindapsus is rarely carried out only during the period of intensive development, which is observed within April-October. To do this, buy ready-made liquid fertilizer intended for indoor plants, and apply it once for 15–20 days. In winter, feeding is usually stopped altogether, but if the vine weaves in a room where it is constantly very warm, then you can apply fertilizer monthly using its weak concentration - about 2 times less than the recommended one.
- Transplant and pruning. Epipremnum in the process of development in the first years of life is transplanted, as a rule, every spring. When the plant matures, the procedure is repeated only once every 3 years, removing during its implementation those shoots that grow strongly. For replanting, choose a soil with an acidity of about 6 pH and good drainage. You can buy ready-made substrates for deciduous ornamental plants for these purposes.
As already mentioned, transplanting is optimal in the spring, while cutting off one third of the shoots, which will give an incentive for the development of new ones. By the way, the cut ones do not have to be thrown away, they can be put into water, and after they take root, they can be planted back into the pot, which will give the epipremnum a beautiful lush shape.
If there is a desire to prepare the soil for planting yourself, then sand, peat, humus and leafy earth are used in one part. You should not take unnecessarily large pots, otherwise the roots of the plant will not be able to braid the entire earthen ball, and this usually provokes stagnation of moisture and acidification of the soil. Due to this danger, by the way, you must always provide a good drainage layer.
Scindapsus does not need mandatory pruning, but if the hunt is given the most effective look, then it can be carried out.
Reproduction of epipremnum
Reproduction is usually carried out by separating and further planting apical cuttings, cutting the shoots into small pieces of 2-3 leaves. It is also allowed to divide them into parts with one leaf, after which a new shoot will begin to form from its bosom. The process of rooting cuttings is usually quick and easy, and they are planted in low trays or separate small (7-9 cm) pots. The soil for these purposes is used in the following composition: peat, leaf and humus soil is taken in 1 part, and sand and sod soil are added in half of the part.
Rooting takes place in 14-17 days. After that, the plant can be pinched once to give an incentive to branch. By the way, there is a direct connection between the size of the cutting and the rate at which a beautiful branched epipremnum grows - the longer it is, the faster the branched vine will appear.
After the roots of the scindapsus are entwined with an earthen ball, they are transplanted into separate pots up to 10 centimeters high. Also, a very common method is to place rooted cuttings in several pieces in bowls, as is done with ampelous plants.
Epipremnum diseases and pests
Epipremnum often suffers from thrips, scale insects and red spider mites. These parasites settle in large colonies, concentrating in the axils and on the back of the leaves. The lack of measures to combat them leads to the fact that the leaves begin to curl, turn yellow and eventually fall off.
As soon as such alarming symptoms are noticed, you should immediately moisten a sponge or cloth in soapy water and thoroughly wipe the leaves and stems, eliminating most of the pests in this mechanical way. After that, the plant is sprayed with chemicals, let it stand for 7-10 days and then repeat the procedure to destroy the offspring. For these purposes, you can use karbofos or, for example, actellic, only you need to take into account that the latter has extremely high toxicity, therefore, in residential premises, it can become a threat not only to insects, but also to people.
From folk remedies, washing the plant with an infusion of onions and garlic has become especially effective. For its preparation, finely chop 1 tsp. onion and press half a teaspoon of garlic, then pour the mixture with a glass of water and infuse for 24 hours. Botrytis is the most common disease. Its first symptoms will be reddening of the leaves. The disease is caused by bacteria that actively multiply in conditions of high humidity. Therefore, careless watering is a sure way to induce botrytis. The drug Fitosporin-M is well suited for the fight, with which the plant is treated in accordance with the instructions.
Possible difficulties in growing epipremnum
- Yellowing and dropping of leaves in large quantities - lack of nutrition or an excessive lack of light.
- A faded shade usually appears under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, which is carried by direct sunlight.
- The appearance of dark spots, as a rule, occurs against the background of excessively intensive watering.
- Drying of the tips of the leaves is the result of a long lack of water.
For more information on the maintenance and care of scindapsus (epipremnum) at home, see here:
