There are so many captivating, low-maintenance varieties of Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) on the market that can grace your home or office. Some are readily available, like Golden Pothos.
Some you have to search a bit for, like Jessenia Pothos, and some are rare and harder to find, like the Teruno series of Pothos.
Teruno varieties are being developed at a small, highly regarded plant nursery in Japan, Teruno World, by plant breeder Teruno Ito. Some of these cultivars were created by planned mutation, and some happened naturally.
Many of these plants are exceptionally rare and expensive, but as they become more available, their prices will drop. Here is a rundown of nine of the Teruno varieties that are available now.
9 Teruno Pothos Varieties
1. Shangri-La
Shangri-La is the most widely known Teruno Pothos with a curious growth habit that makes it unique. It has dark green leaves that point upward and curl in a tight spiral pattern.
2. Sunshine
This is a slightly variegated form of Shangri-La with the same twisted growth form.
3. Lovesong
Lovesong is a highly variegated form of Shangri-La that is mostly cream or white with splashes of green and the same twisted foliage.
4. Bumpy
This unusual plant looks like a heart-shaped, classic Golden Pothos with random yellow variegation but has a bumpy leaf surface.
5. Carnival
This cultivar looks like a dark Marble Queen Pothos with patches of medium and dark green.
6. Champs-Élysées
This light-colored cultivar looks similar to Neon Pothos but with elongated leaves, some variegation, and bumps on the undersides.
7. Fanfare
Fanfare is similar to Snow Queen with elongated leaves, yellow or white variegation, and an uneven leaf surface.
8. Himiko
Himiko is bright yellow-green with dark green splattered on the leaves.
9. Linda
This all-dark green variety looks like a Jade Pothos with a bumpy surface.
View pictures of the varieties on Instagram.
Care Guide for Teruno Pothos Cultivars
These unique and rare Pothos varieties have much the same care requirements as the more common varieties that are available everywhere.
The highly variegated ones will require more TLC than the greener ones, but in general, they are all low-maintenance, adaptable plants.
Light
All Pothos are tropical understory plants that do best in bright indirect light out of the direct sun’s rays. An unobstructed east- or north-facing window will give them the light they need.
If that exposure is not available, set the plant back from a west- or south-facing window or soften the light with a sheer curtain.
Highly variegated plants, such as Fanfare and Lovesong, will need brighter light than the greener varieties since they don’t have as much chlorophyll in their leaves to make energy.
Set them in the brightest possible location out of the direct sunlight to keep their variegation from reverting to green.
If you bring your Pothos outdoors in the summer to enjoy the warmth and light, make sure that they are in bright shade but protected under a tree, porch, or patio.
Temperature and Humidity
Since they are tropical plants, Pothos are most comfortable in temperatures from 65 to 90 degrees F. which are within the range of most households and offices. But if you set your plant outside for the summer, bring it in when temperatures drop in the fall.
NOTE: Though your household temperature may be perfect for your Pothos, keep it away from drafty windows and heating and air conditioner vents.
Since Pothos are native to a rainforest environment, they do best in 40% to 60% humidity. This is higher than in most households, so you can boost the humidity by setting the pot on a pebble tray with water, making sure to keep the bottom of the pot above the water level.
A humidifier can help, too, if you have one.
Soil and Pot
The soil you choose for your Teruno Pothos needs to be light, porous, and well-draining. Use a commercial succulent soil or make your own with an indoor potting mix supplemented with perlite, coco coir, orchid bark, coarse sand, or pumice.
Pothos soil needs to have plenty of air spaces in its structure so that the roots can “breathe.” Soil that is too dense will not drain as well, and your plant may be at risk for root rot, a serious fungal infection.
Pots come in such inviting shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, but the most important feature is to have at least one drainage hole at the bottom. This will allow water to drain and keep it from building up around the roots.
Water
How do you know when it’s time to water your pothos plant? The best strategy is to test the soil first rather than keeping a watering schedule since its watering needs will vary over the course of a year.
The amount of light, temperature, humidity, and growing season all play a part in how often to water your plant.
You’ll find that it will need to be watered more frequently during the spring and summer when it’s actively growing and less often in the fall and winter when its growth slows down.
Test the soil by digging your finger (or a chopstick) down 3 to 4 inches into the pot. If it comes out dry, it’s time to water, but if it’s moist, wait a week and then test it again.
When you water your Teruno, let it run through the soil enough to soak it through, and then let it drain completely out the hole in the bottom of the pot.
Fertilizer
Pothos’ growth rate is fast — 12″ to 18″ a month — when they have enough light, water, and nutrition.
Potting soil has all the elements needed for good growth, but after a year or two, the soil will become depleted and need to be supplemented with pothos fertilizer.
You can fertilize your all-green or mostly green plants with a balanced liquid N-P-K fertilizer about once a month at half strength to prevent fertilizer burn. Or you can use a small amount of granular succulent fertilizer mixed into the soil once in the spring.
The highly variegated Teruno varieties need to be fertilized with dilute houseplant fertilizer that has a lower nitrogen content in the N-P-K ratio.
A high nitrogen content could cause the leaves to have a higher percentage of green color and could also cause the roots to be less able to absorb water.
Pests
Variegated plants, such as Fanfare and Lovesong, tend to be more susceptible to pests than the all-green pothos varieties.
Watch out for spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap and/or Neem oil.
Scale insects are another pest of Pothos and can be hosed off and then wiped with alcohol.
Disease
The main disease of Teruno Pothos plants is root rot, a fungal disease caused by overwatering. Air spaces in the soil are filled with water, and the roots can’t get enough oxygen, so root rot takes hold.
The best thing to do about this problem is to gently take the plant out of the potting mix and wash the roots to see what they look like.
Healthy roots are white and firm, but if any roots are black, spongy, and smell bad, cut them off with clean scissors or shears. Wash the remaining roots in hydrogen peroxide and water or with a fungicide like Neem oil, then plant them back in fresh potting mix in a clean pot with a drainage hole.
Pruning
When your Teruno Pothos grows too long, you can prune it with sharp scissors or shears right above a node, which is where a leaf attaches to the stem.
Propagation
You can use the lengths of stem cuttings that you pruned for propagation if you want to grow more plants. Roots will grow from the nodes, so make sure that there are several nodes on the stem.
Water propagation is the easiest way to root Pothos, and you can see the progress of the root growth.
Place the cuttings in a clean jar with fresh water and remove the leaves that are below the water line.
Keep the jar in a warm, bright location until the roots grow to two or three inches long. When they reach that length, they’re ready to be planted in a clean, fresh potting mix.
If you want to propagate them in soil, you can stick a length of stem with two or three nodes directly into a light soil mix.
Some people like to let them callus for a few days before putting them in soil. This is done by allowing the cutting to sit out in the air so that the cut end dries out and “scabs” over. It’s not necessary, but it can eliminate the risk of the stem rotting.
NOTE: Leaf cuttings from variegated plants will often produce all-green growth, so it’s better to use stem cuttings to retain the variegation.
Toxicity
Teruno Pothos are members of the Arum family, all of which are toxic to people and pets. Keep all members of your family safe by setting your plants out of the reach of little ones and furry friends.
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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.