How to Grow and Care for N’Joy Pothos

N’joy pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'n'joy') are beautiful, delicate pothos that are beloved for their variegated leaves and vining growth habit. A cultivator of the popular marble queen pothos, this pothos variety has smaller, thinner leaves with more pronounced areas of variegation than the marble queen. It was discovered by the University of Florida back in 2002 and has been enjoyed by houseplant enthusiasts ever since. Like other types of pothos, it is known for being low-maintenance and easy to grow indoors. Plus it looks great in hanging baskets, tabletop planters, or trailing from shelves and bookcases. However, pet parents should be aware that as with other plants in the pothos family, n’joy pothos are considered toxic to pets if ingested so be sure to keep this trailing houseplant out of reach of any curious fur babies.

N’Joy Pothos Care

In their native environment, pothos grow as understory plants where they are accustomed to dappled light, high humidity, and warm temperatures. This makes them generally well-suited to indoor growing where temperatures are warm and indirect light is plentiful. Caring for n’joy pothos is similar to many of their relatives in the Epipremnum genus, although they are known for being a slow-growing variety of pothos. Since their leaves are highly variegated, they also require more light than some other varieties such as the jade pothos or golden pothos. Generally, these tropical plants are considered to be hardy, low-maintenance houseplants that are perfect for experienced houseplant collectors and beginners alike.

Light

These variegated plants do best with plenty of bright light. A spot that receives several hours of bright, indirect light is ideal. Avoid prolonged periods of direct sunlight which can burn this pothos’ delicate leaves. The n’joy pothos can also be adapted to grow in low light, although it may begin to lose its variegation and become more leggy.

Soil

Pothos require an airy, well-draining soil that retains some moisture, and n’joy pothos are no exception. A mixture of equal parts indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark is a great option that you can easily make at home.

Water

When grown indoors, n’joy pothos prefer to dry slightly between waterings. Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry and then water well, allowing the excess water to drain from the pot’s drainage holes. These pothos are susceptible to root rot if they are kept in overwatered conditions, so ensure that the soil does not become soggy and waterlogged.

Temperature and Humidity

Pothos are accustomed to growing in the tropical understory of rainforests where humidity and temperatures are high. That being said, they are adaptable and hardy plants that do well in typical household temperature and humidity levels. Ideally, n’joy pothos should be kept in temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), and enjoy humidity between 50% to 70%. If you are struggling to provide your plant with the proper humidity, try growing it in a naturally humid room in your house such as a bathroom or placing a small humidifier nearby.

Fertilizer

To encourage strong, healthy growth n’joy pothos enjoy being fertilized regularly during their active growing season. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer for best results. Stop fertilizing your pothos in the fall and winter.

Pruning

Pruning is not a necessary part of caring for n’joy pothos but can be done during the spring and summer as a way to control growth and ensure your pothos is growing in a way that you like. However, keep in mind that n’joy pothos are relatively slow-growing pothos plants so any growth that you trim off will not be quickly replaced. That being said, you can use any stem cuttings that you take during pruning for propagation and replant them back in with the original plant to give it a fuller appearance if you wish.

Propagating N’Joy Pothos

Propagating n’joy pothos is easy and fun. Like most pothos plants they are readily propagated by stem cuttings using just a few tools and supplies. Propagating is a great way to fill out an existing plant or create new plants to share with friends and family (or keep for yourself - no judgement here). To propagate an n’joy pothos by stem cuttings, follow these steps.

1. Using a pair of clean pruning shears or scissors take a couple of stem cuttings from a healthy n’joy pothos plant. Ensure there are at least 3 to 4 nodes along the stem of each cutting for best success.
2. Remove the bottom 1 to 2 leaves from each cutting so that the stem is bare.
3. Prepare a container with fresh water and place the stem cuttings in the container. Ensure the remaining leaves sit above the water while the bare stem is fully submerged.
4. Place the container with the cuttings in a location that receives bright, indirect light and change the water once a week to keep it fresh. After a week or two you should begin to see small white roots growing from the nodes along the stem.
5. Once the roots are at least 1 to 2 inches long the cuttings can be transferred to soil. Prepare a small pot with well-draining soil and plant the cuttings in the soil, watering well after they have been planted. Alternatively, you can plant the rooted cuttings back in with the mother plant to give it a fuller appearance.
6. Place the container back in its previous location and keep the soil evenly moist for the first couple of weeks to help the roots acclimate from water to soil.

Potting and Repotting N’Joy Pothos

N’joy pothos should be repotted once they have outgrown their pot, usually every 1 to 2 years. Roots growing from the drainage holes of the pot or circling the top or bottom of the pot are both signs that your plant is ready to be repotted. However, you should wait until the spring or summer to repot your n’joy pothos as it is actively growing during these months and is less likely to go into shock after repotting than in the fall or winter. Ensure that you choose a new pot for your pothos that is only one size larger than its previous container. So, if your pothos is currently potted in a 4-inch pot, you will move it up to a 6-inch pot. Moving an n’joy pothos into a pot that is too large too quickly can result in accidental overwatering, so it is best to take it slow when upsizing.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Like most houseplants, n’joy pothos are susceptible to a few common pests and diseases. Watch out for signs of common houseplant pests such as fungus gnats, spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips as well as common diseases such as root rot which can result from overly wet conditions. For the most part though, as long as your plant is pest-free when you bring it home these pothos plants are not overly prone to infestations.

Common Problems With N’Joy Pothos

For the most part, n’joy pothos are easy to grow and care for indoors and are generally problem-free. However, as with any houseplant there are a few common problems that you may encounter especially if you are new to caring for these pothos plants. Here are a few things to look out for.

Yellow Leaves

If your n’joy pothos is displaying yellow leaves there could be a few different causes. The most common causes are overwatering, underwatering, lack of light, or too much light. Yes, we know that doesn’t narrow it down much. Unfortunately, in order to figure out exactly what could be causing the yellowing leaves you will need to take a closer look at your plant’s growing environment. Is the soil soggy between waterings? Overwatering is likely the issue - ensure that the top of the soil dries out between waterings. Is the soil becoming hard, dry, and ‘crispy’ between waterings? Then underwatering may be the culprit. Ensure that your plant is receiving bright, indirect light not direct light which can cause yellow leaves from too much sun. At the same time, low-light areas will result in your plant ‘sacrificing’ its older leaves in order to preserve energy for new growth.

Brown Leaves

Unlike yellowing leaves, brown leaves on an n’joy pothos are usually more easily resolved. For the most part if your plant is developing brown spots on its leaves or its leaves are turning brown around the edges a lack of water or humidity is the issue. Ensure that you are watering your plant once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry and try increasing the humidity around the plant to prevent further browning.

Stunted Growth

If you believe that your n’joy pothos is suffering from stunted growth (i.e. not growing at all), usually a lack of light is to blame. These plants should be positioned within a few feet of a bright window. If your plant is positioned several feet away from the nearest natural light source and is not growing then it’s likely it needs more sunlight. Also keep in mind that these pothos plants are known for being slow-growing compared to other varieties like the golden pothos or marble queen pothos.

From: thespruce