The Most Beautiful Epipremnum Pinnatum Variegata- Gardensline

The variegated Epipremnum pinnatum is one of the beauties among the fenestrated houseplants. I set my eyes first on this one when I wanted to know more intriguing bits about variegation in plants. As a highly hunted-for plant, its fenestrated leaves are an eye-catcher. And if you’re really about any brilliant houseplant, this could be the most beautiful Epipremnum you will bump into.

Some tend to think that caring for this plant is difficult or demanding. Is it because of its variegation and fenestration? Rarity could be another excuse.

If you want it to bloom, all you need is the care essentials for this plant form. All it requires is a chunky nutrient-rich rooting media, bright indirect light, staking, and a balanced strike in temperature and relative humidity.

**What Kind of Plant is Epipremnum pinnatum?**

Epipremnum Pinnatum Variegata is a beautiful vining tropical plant. It has long, green foliage with fanciful white variegation. It also grows in subtropical forests of Asia and Australia.

This one is a very fast-growing climber. At maturity, the leaves split. Its fenestration and variegation make up one of its unique identity features. The mottled white streaks become clear as it matures. Take a look.

Variegated — Coconut coir staked mottled aroid starting to fenestrate

Epipremnum pinnatum albo-variegata with huge leaf splits

It loves climbing nearby bushes to enable it better reap filtered light. As such, it possesses quite a versatile adaptability to grow indoors. If you are a beginner gardener, this plant is for you.

This plant will stand out so gorgeously in stand-alone baskets. Should you not want to stake it? Find ample space to allow it to vine out and down the basket.

With time, it also bears perennial long-lasting flowers.

Other modish common names: Centipede tongavine, Silver Vine, and Taro Vine

**How do you Grow Variegated Epipremnum pinnatum?**

Here is a care guide for hassle-free indoor gardening with this stunning Taro vine.

1) Ideal Light for your Variegated Plant (Lumen Candles)

Variegated aroids are not choosy. However, they’ll appreciate the light quality that plays a crucial growth role.

These variegated forms enjoy moderate to bright indirect sunlight. Concerning candle lumens, situate your plant in a room that receives 2000 – 3000 lux of light intensity. Otherwise, position it so that the foliage evades direct and intense heat.

Indoor pinnatum variegata (situated in about 300 fc lumen candles of indirect light) — A variegated ***Silver Vine*** on moss pole staking

Not more than 6ft off East facing window
Shield the south-facing windows with curtains or fix light filters
Avoid locating your plant on North-facing or West-facing window sills in the afternoon
Work closely with LUX light meters to be more accurate about the number of lumen candles

If your home is poorly lit, fluorescent or LED grow lights can serve as the best alternatives. Regardless of the light source, see that your room can get at least 6-hour light exposure.

2) Watering

Like many aroids, watering your variegated houseplants every 1 week plus a few days should be safe. If you want the best results, see that you’ve wet potting soil is even. Consider the following guiding tips:

Allow the potting soil to dry out (but not entirely) between watering
Water your houseplant on a routine during the summer and spring
If you live in areas with cooler temperatures, your plants should drink less frequently
Use water at room temperature or lukewarm rainwater, or spring water (with fewer minerals)

In many households, the plant needs less than a cup (not more than 0.9) of water every 7 – 10 days. Let the soil dry out before watering again. Water only when the top 2 inches of soil dries out.

Watering every 5 – 7 days in winter is safe, especially in those cooler regions.

3) Setting Ideal Temperature-humidity Index

Like most tropical plants of the aroid family, relative humidity and optimal warmth are essential for this houseplant. This variegated one will thrive in environments with a well-struck balance between humid and warm.

Don’t allow the indoors to get too warm, or feel too dry or wet like what we experience outside in the summertime.

If you live in areas that experience frost, it is a good idea that you have devices to help elevate humidity. For instance, consider investing in a humidifier. Optionally, you can group your aroid family members namely, philodendrons, anthuriums, peace lilies, and ZZ plants.

Your houseplant will grow fine in warm conditions ranging from 65 ºF – 80ºF (18 – 27ºC). Avoid exposing the foliage to cold drafts. Neither will your plant like any surroundings whose temperature can rise above 85 ºF or drop below 50 ºF. This cultivar is less tolerant of frost. Therefore, it will stop growing normally.

The ideal relative humidity for this one to grow happily is 50% or more on the actual scale. Here are tips to help your variegated Epipremnum get the better of this combo (i.e. warmth + humidity):

Use a hygrometer if you can’t estimate relative humidity (real feel)
Position a dry/wet thermometer
Check for signs of mold growths if you suspect too high humidity levels
Close the doors and shut open windows if you live in cooler regions

4) Fertilizing + Nutritional Requirements

Both grow fertilizer and organic food are part of the care detail for this dragon tail. The most popular means of fertilizing is top dressing.

Most aroids do not require fertilization. Learning to give your plant what is enough only can be great for indoor performance. In each stage of active growth, ensure provided nutrient content is sufficient. [Check the fertilizer ratio in terms of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)].

Feed your houseplant during the warmer months. Top-dress the potted plant fortnightly for faster growth. Those liquid houseplant fertilizers may not be great for starters.

How to feed your houseplant with Osmocote

Go for a controlled-release pre-planting fertilizer like Osmocote. Another top choice of food is a seaweed extract. Moreover, you can top dress using worm castings. Besides root development and stimulation of healthy plant growth, here is how feeding is beneficial;

it minimizes transplant shock
it enables your plant to better cope with environmental stresses outdoors

If you ‘overfertilize’ it means the further risk of the burning effects.

5) Soil (Rooting Medium) Requirements

Variegated Epipremnum pinnatum loves a well-draining and aerated rooting medium. Just like the family members, the final mix should be chunky. What makes the difference is the quality selection and ready-to-use nutrients in the formulation. Here are other key features you need to look for:

High in organic matter
Light ingredients
Great moisture holding and rapid distribution

You are more likely to get the right ones off the shelf. These are ready for use. I recommend them to any beginner gardener. There are many of them labeled for similar growing purposes. Here are my top 3 picks.

Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
Miracle-Gro Cactus
Palm & Citrus mix

The bottom line is, be careful if you are going to make one for yourself.

6) Repotting your Houseplant

Repotting houseplants is another care needed to restore nutrients. These nutrients are essential for new growth. Moreover, repotting gives the plant more room to encourage it to bloom.

Your plant growth status can tell you more about when it requires a new rooting medium. Its growing status and size are important clues too. They’ll determine if it has used up all of the available nutrients.

The easiest way to tell is when the plant size has doubled (i.e. twice as bigger or larger). Usually, the plant will reach this size in a year or so. Here are more indicators:

Plant’s potting media is old or dries out quickly
Your plant outgrows its pot or the pot appears too small
A clear decrease in houseplant vigor

Replant in the second year if you are not sure if your plant wants new soil. Here are guide tips for the process.

Take off all soil particles
Cut back the root tip extensions to 30 cm long
Choose the next size-up pot
Use a fresh potting mix

7) Does the Plant Require Staking?

If you want it to bear larger leaves, find a suitable support framework onto which it’ll climb. This will also encourage it to bloom.

Staking benefits potted aroid houseplants — Staked aroid using coconut coir fiber

You can use wooden stakes, bamboo stakes, or moss poles for support. These staking items are usually wrapped in coconut coir or sphagnum moss. If you have access to coconut coir, you can DIY one.

8) Does your Variegated Plant need Pruning?

Despite being a fast grower, cutting back is not must-do care. However, there could be instances that may require the removal of unwanted parts. These include:

Fungal infections cropping up
Control of future occurrences of pests and disease
Encouraging new sprouts
If you want to propagate

Common Problems that can Hamper Growth

Sap-sucking pests and diseases are common issues. They can make the plant look sickly. They majorly comprise mealybugs and spider mites. With vigilance, these tiny pests are easy to control. Use horticultural oil and insecticidal soap.

Overwatering can lead to root rot or the growth of infectious fungus. If not timely checked and duly corrected, your houseplant would die.

**A Highlight to Epipremnum pinnatum Variegata Care**

Caring for this versatile houseplant is straightforward for any plant person. Here are key specific growth details that can help you understand and up your plant game.

Unlike most aroids, this variegated form can adapt to drought
In their native tropical habitat (Asia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia), they’re natural climbers (epiphytic)
This Epipremnum pinnatum is closely related to the Cebu Blue pothos
Staking has proven to encourage large fenestrations upon the plant reaching maturity
Like many aroid family members, boosted humidity is essential for the plant to grow comfortably
Excess moisture may render the plant more susceptible to disease and pests.
Unlike monstera varieties, variegation in this plant is consistent and hence is more stable
Poor light quality makes the houseplant leaves get elongated splits or render vines leafless
Variegated Epipremnum pinnatum tends to be less tolerant to frost than most aroids
Bring your plant indoors if you live in cooler regions or frosty areas

Growth Zone (USDA Hardiness)

If your location lies in USDA zones 10a – 11, you can grow an Epipremnum plant safely.

USDA plant hardiness zones map — A USDA plant hardiness growing zones choropleth map: Image Credit

Keep in mind that the cooler the temperatures are, the less the plant adaptability. This means your plant will adapt to growth conditions in warmer regions.

Sources and References