The marble queen pothos is a beautiful plant that can spruce up any home.
They are super easy to care for. This makes them the perfect indoor plants for beginners or anyone with a busy lifestyle.
Here are some simple tips to keep your marble queen pothos alive and thriving.
What is a marble queen pothos?
The marble queen pothos is a variety of pothos characterized by white and green variegation on its heart-shaped leaves. The scientific name is Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen.’
Are marble queen pothos poisonous/toxic?
Yes, the marble queen pothos is toxic to people, cats, and dogs. While it is poisonous, it doesn’t usually cause death.
This is because the plant contains calcium oxalate, which is like a piece of broken glass. If ingested, it can damage the skin and digestive tract.
Keep the marble queen pothos away from small children and pets, or opt for a different plant if that’s not possible.
Marble queen pothos care
Just like any other pothos variety, the marble queen pothos is an easy-to-care-for low-maintenance plant.
Light
The marble queen pothos does best in bright indirect light. But it can also tolerate low-light conditions. Though it will produce less variegation in lower light conditions.
If you want to keep the beautiful variegation, give your plant bright, indirect light. But if you don’t mind a little bit of green creeping in, then a low-light spot will work just fine.
Water
One of the most important things to remember when caring for your marble queen pothos is not to over or underwater it. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering your plant again.
To water your plant, simply give it a good soak until water starts dripping out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Be sure to empty out any excess water that may have been collected in the saucer after watering.
Humidity
The marble queen pothos likes average to high humidity conditions but can also tolerate low humidity.
If you live in a dry climate, you can increase the humidity levels around your plant by misting it with water or placing it on a pebble tray.
You can also try grouping multiple plants together to increase the humidity in that area.
Temperature
The marble queen pothos prefers average room temperatures of 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures. Since marble queen pothos are tropical plants, it does best in warmer areas of the home.
Soil
The marble queen pothos does best in well-draining soil. Any store-bought potting mix will work fine for marble queen pothos.
Fertilizer
Your marble queen pothos will benefit from being fertilized regularly during its growing season, which is typically from spring through summer. During the fall and winter months, you can cut back on fertilizing.
Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer and use it according to directions.
Pruning Your Plant
As your plant grows, you will need to prune it occasionally to promote new growth and maintain its shape.
You can do this by trimming any vines that have become longer than you want. Once you have decided where to trim the plant, just cut it above a leaf node. This will encourage new growth to sprout from that node.
Remember to sterilize your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol before each use to prevent the spread of disease.
Repotting Frequency
Your marble queen pothos will need to be repotted every one to two years.
The main signs of needing to be repotted are roots coming out of the drainage holes and the plant becoming top-heavy and unstable.
Even without these signs, it’s beneficial to repot at least every other year to give the plant fresh soil and make sure it isn’t becoming rootbound.
How big does a marble queen pothos get?
Marble queen pothos can grow quite large in the right conditions, with its long vines reaching upwards of 10 to 20 feet.
Though indoors, 6 to 10 feet is much more common.
Do you need to clean a marble queen pothos?
While marble queen pothos doesn’t need regular cleaning, occasional cleaning will help to remove dust.
To do this, simply wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth.
Can you propagate a marble queen pothos?
Like other pothos varieties, the marble queen pothos is easy to propagate.
The easiest way to do this is by taking stem cuttings and rooting them in water.
Does a marble queen pothos need to climb?
While a marble queen pothos can climb, it doesn’t require it. It will do just fine left to trail along a table or shelf. Or as a hanging basket with its vines hanging down.
If you want it to climb, add a small trellis or moss pole to the pot.
Does a marble queen pothos need to be misted?
Misting is not required, though it may aid in increasing the humidity around the plant.
If you choose to mist your plant, do it once or twice a week.
Common problems with marble queen pothos
There are a few common issues that you may come across while growing a marble queen pothos.
Loss of variegation
One of the most common issues is that the plant will start to produce leaves with less variegation.
This is usually due to too little light. Move your plant to a location with more light, and it should start to produce more variegated leaves again.
Just make sure to avoid direct sunlight as this can be harmful to the plant as well.
Yellow leaves
Another common issue is yellowing leaves. This can be caused by several things, including too much or too little light, too much or too little water, or a nutrient deficiency. Unfortunately, diagnosing this issue is going to take some trial and error.
Too much light
If your plant is in a bright location, it may be getting too much light. If it is in a bright location, try moving it to an area with a little less light.
Too little light
On the opposite end, is it getting too little light? If it’s in a room with little natural light, this might be the case. Try moving it to an area with more light or get it some grow lights.
Overwatering
Overwatering may be the issue if the soil is constantly wet. Does the pot have a drainage hole? If not, that is probably the issue. Repotting the plant into a pot with a drainage hole should help.
For those in pots with drainage holes, make sure there is no standing water in the tray.
If you think overwatering is the issue, or the soil is still damp when you water, try waiting a few extra days before watering again.
Underwatering
Underwatering may be the issue if the soil is very dry. Try watering a little more frequently. You want to soil to dry out between waterings, but you don’t want it to sit dry for days before you water again.
Nutrient deficiency
If your plant is not getting enough nutrients, it may start to yellow as well. Try using a fertilizer made for plants and following the directions on the package.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth is generally a sign of not enough light. Pothos of any variety will grow longer stems between leaves when there isn’t enough light.
This generally isn’t harmful to the plant, but it isn’t very attractive either.
To fix this, move your plant to an area with more light. Just make sure not to put it in direct sunlight as that can be harmful to the plant.
Drooping or Curling Leaves
If the leaves are drooping or curling, this is usually a sign the plant needs water. Give it some water and within a day or so the leaves should look normal again.
Pests
Some of the most common pests marble queen pothos experience are mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats.
If you spot any of these pests on your plant, take action to eliminate them.
Spider mites and mealybugs can cause your plant to die if left unchecked. Neem oil can be used to treat both of these pests.
Fungus gnats are not dangerous to your plant, but they are quite bothersome. The most practical solution is to use sticky traps. After a week or two, the majority of the adults should be dead and captured on the traps.
Get more information on these pests by reading my posts about spider mites, mealybugs, and fungus gnats.
Diseases
The most common disease that affects marble queen pothos is root rot. This is a serious issue that can kill your plant if left untreated. Root rot is caused by too frequent watering or improper drainage.
If you think your plant has root rot, check the plant’s roots. If they are brown and mushy, it’s time to take action.
The brown and mushy roots are rotten and need to be cut off the plant. They will not recover with any treatment.
The remaining good roots can be put back into a pot with good drainage and well-draining soil. It’s also recommended to reduce the amount of water you give the plant.
Final Thoughts
By following these simple tips, you can easily keep your marble queen pothos alive and healthy for years to come. With very little maintenance required, this plant is perfect for busy people or anyone who doesn’t have a green thumb.
So if you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that will add some life to your home, look no further than the marble queen pothos!
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