How to Care For Marble Queen Pothos

Last Updated on December 4, 2022 by Plant Mom Care

Originating from French Polynesia, Marble Queen Pothos has now become an extensively grown ornamental in both the temperate and tropical regions, popularly called Money Plant or Devil’s Ivy. 

Its leaves are variegated with green and creamy white and are grown as ground cover or under other large potted plants in tropical climates. It can also readily scramble trees or walls, producing 3’ long large leaves as it grows higher, often reaching more than 20’ tall. Juvenile leaves are normally heart-shaped but mature leaves in larger plants are pinnated.

Gardeners in colder climates grow this plant in hanging baskets or train it to grow in pots on moss or coco poles indoors. Some people grow it indoors for its air-purifying properties. 

If you train it to grow on a trellis, bear in mind that it can easily choke up any available space and limit other plants growing nearby due to its fast growth. If you live in tropical areas, let it grow outdoors up mature trees and admire the beautiful huge leaves spreading out on top of the trees.

Marble Queen Pothos Light Requirements

This plant can tolerate almost any lighting condition however, as it is a tropical plant it grows better under medium to indirect bright light. In addition, the variegation is emphasized under brighter light although it won’t grow well under direct sunlight as the leaves will burn under direct sun.

The plant’s tolerance for low light makes it suitable to grow as ornamentals in offices and building foyers and low-lit rooms such as bathrooms.

Energy is produced by the green areas of the leaves, so the leaves will compensate for this by turning green under low light. If this happens, move it under brighter light and the variegation will be restored.

Marble Queen Pothos Watering

The only tricky element growing this plant is watering frequency as the soil should be on the drier side. This makes it somewhat tolerant of neglect.

A wet and dry cycle is recommended: let the soil dry out almost 50% before watering again, drenching it completely until excess water flows out. This method boosts growth, particularly during spring and summer. Let the soil stay dry longer in winter before watering and rely on misting. 

However, keep an eye on the leaves. If the edges start turning brown and dry that’s a sign of under-watering, if the leaves become yellow and the soil feels wet and soggy that’s a sign of overwatering.

Marble Queen Pothos Humidity

As it is a tropical plant, it thrives in a humid environment. Regular misting will keep the leaves clean and prevent dust and dirt from clogging the pores. You can also wipe the leaves once a month with a damp cloth.

When growing the plant indoors during winter check the leaves if the tips start turning brown. This indicates that humidity levels have dropped. Correct this by using a humidifier near the plant. 

Marble Queen Pothos Temperature

It prefers warm temperatures between 65 – 90°F. It can survive the winters without a problem under average room temperatures.

Marble Queen Pothos Soil

It prefers a well-aerated and well-draining soil mix. Add some sand to the mix if you feel you need to increase drainage capacity. This plant thrives in nutrient-rich soil but grows well in regular soil too.

You can also grow this plant in water hydroponically in bathrooms and kitchen window sills. If you grow this plant hydroponically, make sure you change the water every 2 weeks to prevent algae build-up. Of course, you will have to make sure you feed it monthly with suitable hydroponic nutrients to keep it healthy.

Marble Queen Pothos Repotting

As with most plants, repotting should be done in spring. This plant needs to be repotted every year particularly if it grows in small pots. The roots grow rather fast and can consume the soil often creeping out from the drainage holes. 

Once this happens, report the plant in a larger pot. You might have to trim some roots and loosen the outer sides of the roots before you repot it.

Larger plants growing in large pots might need repotting only once in 2-3 years. 

Marble Queen Pothos Propagation

This is one of the easiest and simplest plants to propagate. 

Propagation in soil:

Select a healthy vine and cut 6” – 7” lengths of the stem that have at least 4 nodes with a pair of sterilized garden scissors. You will have more success if aerial roots are visible on the cuttings. Remove any leaves at the bottom, leaving only a few leaves on top.

You can use the mother plant’s pot if necessary if you want a bushy appearance. Make a hole with a chopstick or something similar at least 5” deep.

If you use a new pot, choose a medium-sized pot filled with suitable well-draining soil and plant several cuttings together in the center around 3 – 6 cuttings to get a bushy look. Rooting hormones are not needed as these cuttings root quite easily.

Insert the stems, keeping at least a node or two under the soil and gently press the soil down to provide support. Keep the pot in a bright location away from direct sun. Water frequently keeps the soil moistened until rooting takes about 1 – 2 weeks or until new leaves emerge.

Propagation in water:

Select a healthy vine and cut 6” – 7” lengths of the stem that have at least 4 nodes with a pair of sterilized garden scissors. You will have more success if aerial roots are visible on the cuttings. Remove any leaves at the bottom, leaving only a few leaves on top.

Prepare a jar with a mouth of at least 3 inches wide and deep enough so that only two nodes of the cuttings are in the water but the top leaves are out. Jam jars are suitable. Place the cuttings into the jar if the cuttings don’t sit well in the jar, cover the jar mouth with cling film and poke the cuttings in. This helps hold the cuttings in place.

Keep the jar under indirect sunlight and don’t disturb it too much. New roots will develop after 1 – 2 weeks. Once the roots are 1 – 2” long the cuttings can be transferred to soil, or you can let them grow in water.

Additional Care

Feed the plant with a diluted balanced fertilizer once monthly from spring to autumn. If the plant grows in water then fertilizing is important or the plant growth will be stunted. Use a suitable hydroponic fertilizer and follow the instructions. Stop or cut back on feeding the plant in winter.

This plant needs consistent pruning to stop the vines from becoming leggy and unruly, especially if it is growing indoors. Remove any discolored leaves and stems, if you want the plant to be nice and bushy, trim long vines aggressively before spring and plant the cuttings in the same pot.

Marble Queen Pothos Common Problems

Thrips, aphids, and mealybugs might be a problem and can be prevented with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Washing the leaves regularly with water spray will help keep the plant pest free.

If the plant doesn’t get enough light to maintain its variegation, the foliage will turn a uniform green. Move it under brighter lighting to help the leaves stay white and green.

Dark blemishes on leaves indicate that the plant has been affected by low temperatures. Remove the damaged leaves and keep the plant in a warmer location.

Droopy leaves are caused by root rot due to overwatering. Check the soil at the base of the plant closely. Salvage some cuttings from healthy stems and propagate them in a pot with fresh well-draining soil.

If you notice leaf edges turning dry and brown then you’re under-watering the plant. If the leaves start turning yellow and the soil feels wet and soggy it is a sign of overwatering, adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

If the plant isn’t pruned regularly, the vines will get long and leggy. Aggressive pruning is necessary every year before the start of the growing season to keep the plant compact.

Pothos Varieties

• Neon Pothos
• Silver Satin Pothos