Pothos

Epipremnum aureum

Family: Araceae

Low Light Tolerant
Low Maintenance
Easy Propagation

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, stems

Preparation

not applicable: not a food plant in PlotAndPetal

Hazard type

Calcium oxalate crystals

Hazard route

ingestion and skin contact

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

ASPCA lists Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) as Toxic to Dogs and Toxic to Cats. Toxic principle: insoluble calcium oxalates, a different mechanism from snake plant's saponins. Clinical signs here are an oral/contact irritant pattern: oral irritation, intense burning of mouth/tongue/lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing: rather than a pure GI-only pattern (a different pattern from the stomach-upset-only plants such as snake plant, gardenia and lavender, and from azalea, which can affect the heart). NC State's independent listing agrees on toxicity and adds that dogs, cats, and horses are all listed as at risk, and that human skin contact can also cause irritation/dermatitis: broader than ASPCA's companion-animal-only page.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Grown outdoors in frost-free tropical climates; in most of the continental US, including Central Florida, it is grown as a houseplant year-round rather than planted in the ground (NC State Extension, Clemson HGIC).
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: As a houseplant, typically grows to 6-8 feet as a trailing groundcover/hanging plant; in warm climates outdoors, climbing vines can reach as long as 40 feet (NC State Extension). Medium growth rate, low maintenance.
Where it comes from: Society Islands (French Polynesia) (NC State Extension). Previously classified as Scindapsus aureus.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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