If you’re a pothos enthusiast, you may or may not have heard of Jessenia. Jessenia is a recent addition to the family and is an incredibly rare variety to find. The few lucky plant lovers to get a Jessenia treasure it immensely for its stunning marble variegation.

If you are lucky to have a Jessenia or just want to know more about it, then read on to learn some fun facts, care tips, and common problems of the rare Jessenia pothos plant.

What Is Jessenia Pothos?

Jessenia pothos (also known by its scientific name Epipremnum aureum ‘Jessenia’) is a recently cultivated variety of the pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum).

It is a very rare kind of pothos that exhibits uniquely marbled foliage of emerald green and chartreuse. It is reminiscent of the Marble Queen pothos, the only difference being that the latter has cream variegation instead of chartreuse.

Names & Synonyms

When shopping for Jessenia pothos (or other pothos plants), you may find that these beautiful houseplants go by different names. Some of these names include:

Golden Pothos
Devil’s Ivy
Devil’s Vine
Money Plant
Ivy Arum

Also, since the species’ scientific name was changed multiple times, you may find a few different scientific names and synonyms when looking at pothos plants. Though the accepted scientific name is Epipremnum aureum, you may also see the following synonyms:

Scindapsus aureus
Epipremnum pinnatum cv. ‘Aureum’
Pothos aureus

Fun Facts & Other Information You Should Know

Plant Origin

Jessenia is a cultivar that is relatively new to the pothos family. Discovered just in 2014 by Costa Farms, it is a stable sport of Marble Queen, which is why the two varieties look so similar.

Both have marbled foliage, but Marble Queen’s variegation is cream and green, while Jessenia’s is emerald green and chartreuse.

Name Origin

The specific epithet of the species name aureum comes from aurum, which means ‘gold’ in Latin—referring to the more colorful cultivars and varieties of the species, as pothos is well known for its stunning variegations of gold and green.

The species was originally given the genus name pothos until scientists moved the species to another genus. However, the name ‘pothos’ remained the most popular name for the species.

Native Range & Habitat

Pothos plants are originally native to the Solomon Islands and the Society Islands, but you probably won’t see any cultivated varieties out in the wild. Instead, wild pothos plants can typically be spotted in the understory of forests or climbing up large trees.

Landscape Uses

The beautiful Jessenia pothos is primarily featured as a houseplant or container plant. However, its marbled foliage and climbing nature make it an excellent feature for a hanging basket or trellis.

In tropical regions, pothos plants are grown as a groundcover in gardens.

Toxicity

However, it is vital to have some caution when keeping any pothos in your home. These plants are toxic when ingested, causing oral irritation, swelling of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and digestive issues.

In addition, the plant is toxic to both animals and humans, so make sure to keep your Jessenia out of reach of your pets and children.

Pothos also may cause dermatitis and irritation after directly touching the plant, so you should consider wearing gloves when handling these plants.

How To Care For Your Jessenia Pothos

Jessenia pothos has similar care requirements as other pothos varieties. Luckily, pothos plants are considered beginner plants and are relatively easy to grow. Your Jessenia pothos may grow quite fast with the proper care and conditions.

Below are the requirements needed to care for your Jessenia pothos properly:

Light Requirements

Jessenia pothos thrives in bright, filtered, or indirect lighting conditions. Pothos plants are known to do well in low light conditions as well, but it is best not to keep your Jessenia in the dark for too long. With too little light, your Jessenia will begin to decline and lose its coloration and variegation. However, too much light will scorch or burn the leaves.

Water Requirements

You want to water your Jessenia often enough to keep the soil moist but not so much that the soil is waterlogged. In between waterings, allow the top layer of soil to dry, but don’t let all it completely dry out.

If any water splashes on the leaves, then gently wipe the water off with a cloth.

Watering frequency will depend on the current season, weather, and climate zone you live in, so keep checking the soil often to figure out when it’s time to water your Jessenia.

Soil Requirements

As just mentioned, make sure to keep the soil moist. It should not be waterlogged, but it shouldn’t be allowed to completely dry out either. The soil should also be well-draining and have a neutral or slightly acidic pH.

Humidity & Temperature Requirements

Since pothos plants come from a tropical region, they enjoy warm, humid environments best. So if you live in a tropical area, you won’t have too many issues whether caring for your pothos indoors or outdoors. But our temperate zone friends may struggle a bit more.

Pothos plants do best indoors in temperate or cold regions. To keep your Jessenia happy, make sure to keep your thermostat at warm temperatures (65°F to 80°F is ideal) and never let your home get colder than 55°F. Otherwise, your Jessenia may begin to wilt and die.

It would be best if you also misted your Jessenia pothos often or used a humidifier to keep the humidity high. Avoid placing your Jessenia near any vents or drafty windows.

Fertilizer Requirements

Pothos plants have been known to grow quite fast, so you may not need to apply fertilizer to your Jessenia. However, many people feed their pothos every other month during the growing season to encourage more growth.

Repotting

It is best to repot your Jessenia annually and during the spring before the growing season begins. However, if your pothos is growing very fast, you may need to repot more often.

Also, keep an eye out for crowded roots or roots growing out of the drainage holes. This could indicate that your Jessenia pothos needs more room!

When repotting, move your Jessenia to the next largest container. Don’t place it in a container that is too big. Also, make sure your container has drainage holes for excess water.

Propagation

You can propagate your Jessenia pothos through stem cutting. To do this, cut off stems that are at least a few inches long and either place them in water directly or in potting soil. Roots should form within three or four weeks, and buds typically form about two weeks later.

Pruning

Pruning your Jessenia annually is a good rule of thumb, especially since pothos plants can grow quite fast. It is best to prune in the spring before the growing season begins.

Does Jessenia Pothos Bloom?

Pothos plants rarely bloom in cultivation. This is because cultivated pothos plants stay in a juvenile stage throughout their lives.

However, pothos plants must reach maturity to produce flowers. Therefore, don’t stress about getting your Jessenia to bloom because it is unlikely to happen. Instead, just enjoy the delightful foliage and work to keep your Jessenia happy in your home.

Common Problems: Pests & Diseases

Though Jessenia pothos may seem like a perfect plant, the truth is, like all plants, this pothos encounters pests, diseases, and other problems throughout its life.

Below are a few problems to keep an eye out for while caring for your Jessenia pothos:

Root rot

Root rot is common when pothos plants are overwatered or the soil is retaining too much water. Reduce the watering frequency to avoid this.

Mealybugs, scales, mites, and other pests

You may find any of these pests on your houseplants from time to time. Use insecticide to get rid of them. Follow the directions on your insecticide and make sure to apply it outdoors.

Bacterial wilt disease

Once severe, nothing can be done about bacterial wilt disease, so you will have to throw out your plant to avoid further spread.

To prevent this, make sure you sanitize your gardening tools often.

Loss of color and variegation

This occurs when your pothos is not getting enough light. Move your plant to a brighter area to fix this.

Leaves yellowing and falling off

Occurs when your pothos gets too much water. Water your plant less frequently, and make sure the soil only remains moist, not waterlogged.

pothos leaves turning yellow and with leaf spot

Blackening of leaf margins

This is due to either overwatering, inadequate watering, or a buildup of salts from applying too much fertilizer. Change your watering and fertilizer schedule to fix the problem.

Scattered brown patches on leaves

This is due to the plant being exposed to lower temperatures or extreme temperature changes. Keep your indoor temperature consistent and warm to prevent brown patches.

Brown edges and spots on leaves

This occurs when the root ball has dried out during the growing season. Water the plant more often to prevent this. Brown edges can also signify leaf burn from too much light.

Place your pothos in a dimmer area if this is the case.

Getting Leggy

If your plant is getting leggy, read this guide on why it happens and how to fix leggy pothos.

Video

Here is a video that shows the jessenia pothos and other popular varieties (and a rare baltic blue pothos) that she was able to find at her local Lowes store:

Jessenia Pothos: Fun Facts & Care Tips + Common Problems to Avoid