Light
This variegated plant does best in bright, indirect light. That being said, it can also tolerate medium light well. Unlike other pothos varieties, avoid placing your Jessenia pothos in low light conditions as a lack of light will cause its variegation to dull. Also, avoid direct sunlight which will burn the leaves.
Soil
The Jessenia pothos requires a soil mixture that retains some water while still being well-draining. While it can survive in pure potting soil for some time, a combination of potting soil, perlite, and some orchid bark mix is ideal and will prevent soil compaction.
Water
Just like other pothos varieties, Jessenia pothos prefers to be watered once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil has dried out. However, these plants are known for being relatively drought tolerant and can survive the occasional missed watering. Cut back on watering during the fall and winter when the plant isn’t actively growing.
Temperature and Humidity
Native to tropical, rainforest climates the Jessenia pothos does best in warm, humid conditions. Keep this pothos in temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 23 degrees Celsius) and 50% to 70% humidity.
Fertilizer
The Jessenia pothos grows best with regular fertilization during the active growing period. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer during watering. Stop fertilizing entirely during the fall and winter months.
Pruning
Pruning is not required but is usually a good idea at some point to control growth. It can also help to encourage a fuller growth habit if you desire. To prune a Jessenia pothos, ensure you have a pair of sharp pruning shears or scissors and sterilize them well beforehand. Like most plants, it is best to prune these pothos in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Ensure that you never remove more than a third of the plants foliage at a time. Make sure you save the trimmings from your Jessenia pothos - they can be repurposed for propagating!
Propagating Jessenia Pothos
The Jessenia pothos can be easily propagated by rooting stem cuttings. While you can technically root cuttings at any time of the year, it is best to propagate pothos plants in the spring or summer during their active growing period. One important thing to keep in mind when rooting pothos stem cuttings is that each cutting must have at least one node along the stem - which is where new roots and leaves grow from. This means that pothos cannot be propagated using just a leaf and its petiole. To propagate Jessenia pothos by rooting stem cuttings, follow these simple steps.
Potting and Repotting Jessenia Pothos
Jessenia pothos should be repotted once they have outgrown their pot - usually every 1 to 2 years. Watch for signs that your plant has outgrown its container such as roots growing from the drainage holes or roots circling the top of the pot. While this plant appreciates being repotted in a timely fashion, don’t worry if you don’t get around to it right away as pothos still grow well in rootbound conditions. It is best to repot Jessenia pothos in the spring or summer. Choose a new pot that is 2 to 3 inches larger than the previous pot (for example; move from a 6-inch pot to an 8-inch pot) and ensure you have fresh well-draining soil on hand before you begin. Remove the pothos from its pot and carefully loosen any excess soil from the plant’s roots, being careful not to break any. Place the plant in its new container and add the fresh soil around the roots. Water the newly repotted pothos well and return it to its original growing location to prevent shock.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Jessenia pothos are susceptible to a few common houseplant pests and diseases. Watch out for signs of pests like mealybugs, scale, thrips, and spider mites. Also, keep an eye out for signs of root rot which can occur when these pothos are overwatered.
Common Problems With Jessenia Pothos
For the most part Jessenia pothos, like most pothos varieties, are known for being low-maintenance and relatively problem-free. However, like all plants it is possible to encounter some problems when caring for them indoors. Keep an eye out for these common issues.
Yellow Leaves
If your pothos is developing yellow leaves there can be a number of potential causes. The most common causes include overwatering, underwatering, and lack of light. Admittedly, it can be difficult to figure out which of these conditions may be the culprit, but a close look at your plant’s growing conditions may help you narrow it down. Is the soil of your plant consistently wet to the touch? If so - overwatering is likely the cause. Or is the soil usually bone dry before you get around to watering it? If this is the case, you are probably underwatering your plant. When it comes to light, remember that Jessenia pothos enjoys bright, indirect light. This means they should be relatively close to a window (think within a couple of feet), so if you’ve chosen a spot for your plant that is across the room from the nearest light source then those yellow leaves are probably a sign that it needs more light.
Brown Leaves
Brown leaves on a Jessenia pothos usually indicate that your plant is suffering from a lack of moisture. While these plants can withstand a little bit of drought, they do best with consistent watering and should be watered once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil has dried.
Stunted Growth
As a highly variegated variety of pothos the Jessenia pothos is known for growing a bit more slowly than some of its relatives. That being said, if you believe your pothos is suffering from stunted growth, the most likely cause is a lack of light. Make sure that your plant is receiving several hours of bright, indirect light every day to encourage healthy growth. If you aren’t already - fertilizing your plant regularly will also help to kickstart growth.
