How to Grow and Care for Epipremnum Pinnatum

Epipremnum pinnatum, also known as dragon-tail plant, silver vine, and centipede tongavine, is a tropical vine often grown as a house plant. This plant is sometimes confused with a similar plant in the same family, Epipremnum aureum, also known as pothos, money plant, or devil's ivy. Both plants have shiny green leaves and grow vigorously.

Epipremnum pinnatum has large, glossy, heart-shaped, dark green leaves. Some cultivars have narrow, smooth-edged leaves, while some have wide, deeply serrated edges. In larger varieties, the leaves may grow up to 3 feet long, and the plant can grow up to 60 feet tall outdoors. But most cultivars chosen for house plants have vines that grow up to 6 feet long and make excellent plants for hanging baskets. Since some epipremnum plants are toxic to dogs and cats, it is best to take precautions if you have pets and avoid having them ingest any part of this plant.

Epipremnum Pinnatum Care

The main guidelines for caring for this plant are as follows:

• Epipremnum pinnatum likes bright but indirect sunlight.
• It needs well-draining, rich soil and a container with good drainage holes.
• It likes an average amount of water for a tropical; water when the surface of the soil becomes dry, and avoid overwatering.
• It can benefit from some liquid fertilizer applied in the spring.
  

Light

The epipremnum pinnatum can grow in partial shade or partial sun. The best light conditions are bright but indirect sun, which you can achieve by placing it to the side of a window with good sun exposure. Some variegated varieties may need a bit more light, and the plant will tell you this when its leaves stretch towards the sunnier spot of the room. Too much sun can dry this plant or scorch the leaves.

Soil

This plant likes a rich soil similar to what it might have in its natural habitat: a slightly acidic substrate with plenty of organic matter (which can be added to ordinary potting mix), and excellent drainage. Sandy or clay soils are inappropriate for this plant. Drainage holes in your containers are also necessary.

Water

Watering your epipremnum pinnatum once a week should be sufficient. Make sure the soil surface is dry before watering. Use lukewarm water and soak the top layer of the soil surface until it is slightly damp. Adjust the watering schedule in winter when the plant grows more slowly and will need less frequent watering.

Temperature and Humidity

The ideal temperature for epipremnum pinnatum is between 65-75F. If you move the plant to an outdoor location in the summer, it should be in a partial shade area to prevent it from getting too hot. Being a tropical vine, it can handle a fair amount of humidity. In winter, if your house is dry, placing a dish of pebbles with water nearby can help keep the surrounding air moist.

Fertilizer

Generally, this plant doesn't need much fertilizer, but you can use an essential liquid water-soluble fertilizer (dilute by half with water) during the most active part of its growing season. Fertilize your epipremnum pinnatum every two weeks from March through August. In winter, reduce fertilizing to once a month.

Types of Epipremnum Pinnatum

Several cultivars of this plant are available, some with solid green leaves and some with attractive variegation. Some cultivars develop "fenestrations" which are small window-like holes in the leaves.

• 'Ceba Blue' has small, narrow, lance-shaped leaves of a lovely blue-green color and tends to grow very assertively.
• 'Albo-Variegata' has patches of creamy white variegation on the large, serrated dark green leaves. It grows slower than other varieties, making it a good choice for a house plant.
• 'Skeleton Key' has a large dark green leaf with a slender pointed tip at the end (like a key) and a broad rounded shape at the top.
• 'Marble King' has small, ovate leaves that are mostly creamy white with random flecks and spots of green.

Propagating Epipremnum Pinnatum

To propagate this plant, you can use cuttings.

1. Cut a stem a few inches long (with at least a couple of leaves on it) and split it in half lengthwise, placing half the stem in water.
2. Be sure a "knot" (bumpy nodule where the leaf is attached) on the stem is in the water where it can form roots.
3. Change the water when it gets dirty and locate the container in a warm place with indirect sunlight.
4. When roots form, plant the cutting in a moist potting medium.
   

Repotting Your Epipremnum Pinnatum

As this plant grows larger, it may occasionally need moving to a larger container, to give its roots some space. Handling it may prove difficult when it puts on size, so you may find it easier to gently lay the plant on its side while you prepare the new container. Gently shake old soil from the roots and give it a fresh start with new potting soil. Slide the plant into its new container and hold it in place while turning it back upright and arranging the vines (you may need two people for this task). Water well once it is planted, as water can help it recover from the shock of transplanting.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

The epipremnum pinnatum is very resistant to most serious diseases. It might occasionally be bothered by common pests such as mealy bugs or spider mites. To get rid of mealy bugs, use cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol or vinegar and gently wipe the leaves with them. Spider mites can be dealt with in several ways, including using neem oil or insecticidal soap or washing them off with water.