Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble is one of the hottest indoor plants at the moment. This rare pothos cultivar, affectionately called Marble King by its fans, hasn’t been on the market for long. Yet already, it’s become a must-have for collectors and houseplant enthusiasts.
If you’re lucky enough to own an Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble or considering buying one, knowing its care requirements is a must. This plant can be pretentious, especially when compared to other pothos cultivars.
So, let’s take a look at what you need to know about keeping your Marble King pothos alive and thriving.
What Is Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble?
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble, also known as Marble King pothos, is a variegated cultivar of the Epipremnum pinnatum or dragon-tail plant. It has narrow, elongated leaves, which produce fenestrations at an early age, especially when you give the plant something to climb on.
What makes this plant genuinely unique is its foliage. The leaves are highly variegated, usually white or pale cream, with a few splashes of green marbling. Sometimes, the leaves can display half-moon variegation, with half of the leaf being solid green.
Care Guide
Light
Keep your Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble in a room with bright indirect light. This will help the plant maintain its variegation. However, avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves.
The ideal location for this pothos plant is in a west or east-facing room, about 2 – 3 feet away from the window.
Soil
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble needs chunky, aerated, and well-draining soil. The best potting mix for this plant is made out of equal parts organic potting soil, perlite or vermiculite, and orchid bark.
You can also add worm castings to give the plant a nutrient boost and horticultural charcoal to improve soil drainage and filtration.
Water
Keep the soil moist but not soaked. The Marble King pothos is very sensitive to overwatering, which can cause brown spots on the leaves and lead to root rot.
Using a strict watering schedule is not recommended. Instead, you’ll want to test the soil with your finger before watering. When the top 2 inches (5 cm) feel dry to the touch, give the soil a good soak until you see water dripping through the drainage holes.
Temperature
Grows best in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). This plant will struggle to grow if the temperature drops below 65°F.
Avoid exposing your Marble King pothos to hot or cold drafts or sudden temperature fluctuations. Otherwise, the leaves will start drooping and wilting.
Humidity
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble is a tropical plant that needs high humidity levels to thrive. If the air in your home is too dry, the leaves will develop brown, crispy edges, and the plant can become susceptible to pests such as spider mites.
The ideal humidity level for the Marble King pothos is around 60% – 80%. Try placing the plant on top of a pebble tray half-filled with water or grouping it with other plants. In very dry homes, using a humidifier is your best choice.
Fertilizer
Feed your plant monthly with a balanced, organic fertilizer. The plant enters a brief period of dormancy in winter, so it won’t need additional feeding.
Support
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble needs some form of support to encourage the growth of large, fenestrated leaves. You can use a trellis or a coir pole for this purpose, but a sphagnum moss pole would be ideal.
Repotting
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble has a slow growth rate and only needs repotting once every three years. However, you can tell that the plant needs a bigger pot when the roots start coming out through the drainage holes.
Always use a container with drainage holes when repotting your Marble King pothos. A pot that’s one size bigger or 2 inches (5 cm) wider should be large enough for this plant.
Propagation
The only propagation method for Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble is using stem cuttings.
For best results, propagate the cuttings in water or sphagnum moss rather than soil. This plant can take longer to grow roots compared to other pothos varieties, so remember to be patient.
3 Common Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble Problems
1.) Pests
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble is susceptible to pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips.
If you find spider mites or mealybugs, wipe the leaves with a solution of 1 part 70% isopropyl alcohol and four parts water.
For thrips, cut the damaged leaves, and spray the plant with a systemic pesticide.
2.) Brown Leaves
Leaves turning brown are a symptom of overwatering, low humidity, or sunburn.
However, it’s normal for some of the older leaves to develop brown spots, especially if those leaves are mostly white. White leaves do not produce chlorophyll, so the plant will naturally try to get rid of them.
3.) Loss of Variegation
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble will lose its variegation if it doesn’t receive enough light. To make your plant more variegated, ensure it receives bright indirect light, but avoid direct sun exposure.
FAQ
Is Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble Rare?
Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble is a rare variety of pothos, and it isn’t easy to find in most shops and nurseries. As a result, it’s also more expensive. Expect to pay at least $100 for a plant with good variegation and fenestrated leaves.
What Is the Difference Between Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble and Marble Queen Pothos?
The foliage is the main difference between Epipremnum Pinnatum Marble or Marble King and the Marble Queen Pothos. Marble King has narrow leaves that develop fenestrations at an early age.
Also, the coloring is mostly white, with green speckles and splashes. On the other hand, the marble Queen has rounder, heart-shaped leaves with cream variegation and more green coloring.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.