Variegated Neon Pothos: Top 5+ Easy Care

The eye-catchy variegated Neon Pothos is one of a kind plant that needs special attention to make its variegation stay.

Similar to regular Neon Pothos, variegated types of Pothos are low-maintenance plants meaning they thrive even with minimal care. That said, rookie care mishaps like excess sunlight, poor watering, and humidity can cause variegation in chartreuse leaves to fade.

Thus, read on to find out the best grow and care ways to keep beautiful variegation stay in variegated Neon Pothos.

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What is Variegated Neon Pothos?

Variegated Neon Pothos is a rare, beautiful sport of Neon Pothos that is easy to care for houseplants.

Similar to regular Pothos, they have heart-shaped, 2-3 inches long, and 1-2 inches wide leaves.

But the main difference between Neon Pothos and variegated ones is the prominent splashes of dark green over chartreuse leaves.

And that is why gardeners and plant lovers prefer them over other regular ones.

The variegation in Neon Pothos is sport type meaning it is spontaneous and unstable.

leaves of variegated neon pothos — The variegation in Neon Pothos is often dark green or creamy white atop the bright yellow leaves.

Furthermore, it occurs in regular Neon Pothos from cell mutation that inhibits chlorophyll production.

Due to its unstable nature, variegated Neon Pothos is rare and pricier than regular Pothos varieties.

So, besides finding them online or near stores, you can propagate healthy variegated parts and hope for variegation.

How to Care for Variegated Neon Pothos

Variegated Neon Pothos are low-maintenance, fast-growing elegant houseplants with vines you can train on a trellis.

They have similar care needs to regular Pothos and are also an excellent choice for beginners.

1. Lighting Requirements

Do you know variegated Pothos require relatively more sunlight than regular ones?

There is a lack of chlorophyll in the areas with variegation, so they cannot prepare food efficiently.

Furthermore, the variegation in Pothos can revert in low light conditions.

So provide your variegated types of Neon Pothos with bright indirect sunlight to maintain variegation.

Although the harsh afternoon direct sunlight is a big NO, they enjoy direct morning and evening sunlight.

Therefore, the east or south-facing window is an ideal spot to place them without the risk of reverting.

2. Watering & Humidity

Variegated Pothos are kind of drought-tolerant and forgives occasional no water as well.

Also, they prefer to dry out slightly in between waterings. So, allow the top inch of soil to dry out before fetching water.

You can test the moisture in the soil by poking chopsticks, a moisture meter, or your finger. Then water accordingly.

Instead of frequent watering, aim for deep watering each time until the water drains from drain holes.

Likewise, these plants do not fuss about when it comes to humidity and perform well in average room humidity.

variegated neon pothos on light — Variegated Neon Pothos are low-maintenance plants that can thrive even when kept in a water medium.

But for optimal growth, you should aim for a moderately higher humidity of 60%.

You can mist them every morning using spray bottles and ensure to use rainwater, filtered, or distilled water.

Also, to keep variegated Neon Pothos hydrated, use the bottom water method and add pebbles to the saucer for optimal humidity.

3. Temperature & Environment

Similar to regular ones, Variegated Neon species enjoy the warmer environment of temperatures ranging between 65-85°F.

On the contrary, they can tolerate cold temperatures up to 55°F. However, anything colder than that hampers growth.

Likewise, rapid rise and fall of temperature can cause temperature stress in them.

So, do not place them near the drafty windows in the winter months. Also, avoid keeping them in front of radiators or AC.

Also, ensure the room features proper air circulation to encourage healthier growth.

4. Soil & Fertilization

Variegated Neon Pothos are not fond of moist soil at all times, and they prefer well-draining, light soil.

You can prepare an ideal soil mix by blending peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.

Otherwise, give them a commercial organic soil mix from Miracle-Gro, Gardenera, and Perfect Plants.

Meanwhile, aim for regular fertilization every 6-8 weeks in Spring and Summer. But no fertilizer in winter.

Balanced liquid fertilizers are the best fit for the overall growth of the Variegated Pothos.

Remember to dilute the fertilizers to their half strength to avoid chemical burn issues.

5. Pruning & Propagation

Although variegated Neon Pothos are low-maintenance plants, they enjoy regular pruning of damaged foliage.

Also, aim for major pruning in early Spring to encourage better growth. While pruning, select older, sick-looking parts first.

Then only prune other parts to give them desired shape and size. Furthermore, you can use the healthy stem cuttings to propagate them.

Here is a step-by-step propagation guide for Variegated Neon Pothos.

Select a healthy vine and make a clean diagonal cut below the node at a 45° angle.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving only a few at the top end.
Allow it to form a callus at the cut edge.
Plant the cutting in a small pot filled with fresh, well-draining, nutrient-rich, porous soil.
Place the pot in bright indirect sunlight and mist them regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Within 3 to 6 weeks, the cuttings should have roots established on the ground.
Continue with regular Pothos care and transplant them only after they outgrow the current pot.

Instead of rooting Pothos cuttings directly in the soil, you can also root them in water.

To do so, submerge the plant in a jar filled with water and rooting hormone. But ensure none of the leaves are underwater.

You need to change water every week, and within a month or two, you can see new root growth.

Once the roots in the cuttings are an inch or two long, plant them in a container.

6. Yearly Repotting

The variegated Neon Pothos are fast-growing houseplants that can add 12-18 inches in length every month.

Thus, they should be repotted every 1 to 2 years as soon as they outgrow their current pot.

Remember, a rootbound Pothos shows signs like roots lurking out from drain holes, slowed growth, and low water absorption.

If you notice such signs, repot them right away. Otherwise, you can repot them in Spring for optimal growth.

Before repotting, always water plants thoroughly to loosen up the soil and lower transplant shock.

Likewise, use a one or two inches bigger terracotta pot with multiple drain holes to repot.

While repotting plants, carefully inspect roots for potential rotting or damage. If present, prune them using sterilized shears.

Once you are done repotting, generously water them to settle the soil and boost root establishment.

After repotting, Pothos may droop due to transplant shock but will bounce back with regular Pothos care.

Common Issues and Solutions

The prized leaves of variegated Neon Pothos fade away easily under rookie care mishaps.

So, the common issues gardeners face while growing variegated Neon Pothos are:

1. Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips of variegated Pothos indicate excess sunlight, underwatering, and fertilizer burn.

Besides that, poor humidity and excess water can also cause brown leaf tips.

brown leaf tip on pothos — Neon Pothos leaves with brown tips are often a result of scorching from direct sunlight.

If you notice them in your Pothos, adjust watering practices, regularly mist them, and relocate the plant away from direct sunlight.

Furthermore, avoid fertilizing them in winter. Also, always dilute them, then only apply as per the label.

2. Yellow leaves

Nutrient deficiency and root rot are the most common issues that result in yellowing leaves.

Pothos root rot is often triggered by overwatering issues as waterlogged soil lacks oxygen, causing root rot.

Likewise, temperature stress, pest infestation, and poor lighting can cause yellowing leaves.

However, the variegated Neon Pothos have naturally appearing bright yellow leaves, so do not mistake them as a problem.

If not, diagnose the roots, identify the culprit for yellowing, and proceed with the necessary treatment.

3. Wilting leaves

After a recent repot, variegated Neon Pothos leaves can wilt or droop due to transplant shock.

Do not worry! With regular ideal Pothos care, they regain prior posture!

With that said, wilting leaves also signify underlying issues like too much or too little water.

Likewise, too poor humidity and deep shade can also cause wilting leaves on variegated Neon Pothos.

In such cases, gradually introduce the plant to a brighter location aided with regular misting.

Also, aim for a flexible watering routine as a golden rule to keep Pothos healthy and happy.

4. Pests and diseases

Pests and fungal diseases can introduce all the issues mentioned above in variegated Neon Pothos.

Common pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids often trouble them.

Meanwhile, they are more prone to leaf spot diseases, powdery mildew, and root rot.

Plant infestation and infection are both hard to control with no exact fix. Thus, prevention is more effective.

You can prevent them by regularly checking leaves for insect eggs and applying neem oil.

Despite best efforts, prune off severely damaged parts and apply pesticides and fungicides if your plant falls sick.

5. Loss of variegation

Lack of enough sunlight and the variegation type’s unstable nature can cause variegation loss in variegated Neon Pothos.

So, if your plant lacks optimal sunlight, it can lose its beautiful variegation.

Likewise, a lack of nutrients in the soil can also contribute to reverting. So, ensure to keep soil nutrient-rich at all times using organic composts.

Lastly, aging and instability of variegation are the factors that may trigger revert.

Unfortunately, you can not control variegation in Neon Pothos. But what you can do is provide them with ideal care and hope for variegation to last long.

Toxicity of Variegated Neon Pothos

Variegation is the only thing that differentiates variegated ones from regular Neon Pothos.

So, like Neon Pothos, variegated Neon Pothos is also toxic and poisonous to pets like dogs and cats.

All parts of the plant contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation if ingested.

Accidental ingestion can cause irritation and a burning sensation in the mouth.

Furthermore, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and swollen lips, tongue, and even throat resulting in difficulty breathing.

In severe conditions, due to ingestion in large amounts, poisoning can lead to kidney failure.

Therefore, always keep the variegated Neon Pothos away from your kids and pets to avoid poisoning.

If you suscept your kid or pet has eaten them, immediately seek medical assistance from these helplines.

Pet Poison Helpline: ( 855-764-7661)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: ( 888-426-4435)

Where to Buy Variegated Neon Pothos?

Although you can find regular Neon Pothos near you easily, you can face difficulty finding variegated ones.

But do not worry! I got you covered. Here are some reputed online stores with variegated Neon Pothos for sale.

Online Stores	Shipping Details
Gabriella Plants	Usually ships within 1-4 business days of purchase
Vedas Plant Shop	Typically ships within 3-5 business days
Frond and Folia	Varies depending on shipping method but can ship within 1 business day
Gold Leaf Botanicals	Often ships within 2-3 business days

Editor’s Note

Natural Air Purifier for Your Room!

Do you know Pothos are excellent indoor air purifier houseplants that absorb harmful chemicals?

So, not only do they provide aesthetics to your room decor, but they also cleanse the air for you. Thus, extra care and nourishment are worth every penny.

All The Best!