How to Grow and Care for Jessenia Pothos

The Jessenia Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Jessenia’) is a popular variety known for its lush, trailing foliage. Its heart-shaped leaves make it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or for draping over shelves. This plant adapts well to indoor environments and is suitable for growers of all experience levels due to its straightforward care.

Identifying Jessenia Pothos

Identifying a Jessenia Pothos requires observing its unique variegation. The leaves have a deep green base decorated with markings of vibrant, limey green or chartreuse. This coloration distinguishes it from other pothos varieties, and each leaf displays a unique pattern of splashes and speckles.

Compared to a Marble Queen Pothos, Jessenia’s variegation is in the green and yellow-green spectrum, not creamy white or pale yellow. This creates a softer contrast than the Marble Queen. The pattern on a Jessenia often appears painted or speckled, while the Marble Queen’s can be more blocky or marbled. A Jessenia’s leaf shape can also be slightly narrower.

Jessenia Pothos Care Guide

Light

Jessenia Pothos flourishes in bright, indirect sunlight, which is needed to maintain its variegation. An ideal location is near an east-facing window or a few feet from a south or west-facing window. Direct, harsh sunlight can scorch the leaves, leading to brown spots and crispy edges, while insufficient light will cause the variegation to fade.

Water

Water your Jessenia Pothos thoroughly, allowing excess to escape from the drainage holes. Before watering again, wait for the top two inches of soil to dry out completely to prevent root rot. Watering frequency depends on factors like light and temperature, so always check the soil moisture with your finger instead of following a strict schedule.

Soil

A well-draining, peat-based potting mix is an excellent choice for Jessenia Pothos. To ensure proper drainage and aeration, you can create your own mix by combining equal parts of standard potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark. This blend prevents soil compaction and helps maintain a healthy root system.

Temperature and Humidity

Jessenia Pothos thrives in temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and should be protected from temperatures below 50 degrees. While it adapts to average indoor humidity, it appreciates higher levels. To increase ambient moisture, you can group it with other plants, use a humidifier, or place it in a kitchen or bathroom.

Fertilizer

During the spring and summer growing season, feed your Jessenia Pothos monthly with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Do not fertilize during the winter when growth slows. Over-fertilizing can cause a buildup of salts in the soil and damage the roots.

Propagating Jessenia Pothos

Propagating Jessenia Pothos is done with stem cuttings. Select a healthy vine and find a section with at least two leaves and several nodes, which are the small bumps on the stem where roots form. Using clean shears, make a cut about a quarter-inch below a node.

You can root the cutting in water or soil. For water propagation, place the cutting in a jar of water, submerging at least one node while keeping the leaves dry. Change the water every few days. Once the roots are an inch or two long, transfer the cutting to a pot with soil.

For soil propagation, you can dip the cut end in rooting hormone before planting it in a small pot with a well-draining mix. Bury at least one node beneath the soil surface. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and place the pot in bright, indirect light.

Common Jessenia Pothos Problems

A common issue is the loss of variegation, where leaves become more uniformly green. This process, known as reversion, indicates the plant is not receiving enough light and is trying to produce more chlorophyll. To correct this, move the plant to a brighter location with indirect sunlight.

Yellowing leaves often signal a watering problem, usually overwatering that leads to root rot. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage and allow the soil to dry out more between waterings. Underwatering can also cause yellow leaves, so checking the soil moisture regularly is the best way to diagnose the issue.

Jessenia Pothos can attract pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Inspect your plant regularly, checking the undersides of leaves and where they meet the stem. If pests are present, wipe them off with a damp cloth or use an insecticidal soap. Isolate the affected plant to prevent pests from spreading.