Also known as Devil's Ivy, Golden Pothos, Money Plant, Ceylon Creeper
Golden pothos is a vigorous evergreen vine that uses thick aerial roots to scale host trees in tropical understories, producing massive leaves with dramatic splits as it climbs into the canopy. In domestic spaces, it retains its smaller juvenile form with heart-shaped, glossy leaves marbled in yellow or white. Extremely resilient and tolerant of low light, this climbing arum has spread far beyond its native island home to naturalize across tropical regions worldwide.
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
Mealybugs
Scale Insects
Spider Mites
ThreatsHabitat loss in native range; highly invasive in foreign tropical ecosystems
HabitatsTropical rainforests, disturbed woodlands, and indoor environments
Life spanDecades
Size / weightNot available
Classification
OrderAlismatales
FamilyAraceae
GenusEpipremnum
Speciesepipremnum aureum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
Low
Moderate
High
Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Toxic to pets and humans if ingested; keep plants safely out of reach.
Why it is dangerous
Contains microscopic insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth pain, swelling of the tongue and throat, drooling, and vomiting when chewed or swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for heart-shaped, smooth leaves variegated with yellow or white stripes trailing from thick vines with aerial roots.
What to do
Wear gloves when cutting back overgrown stems to prevent sap skin irritation, and never allow domestic animals to chew foliage.
Responsible observation
Indoor Placement: Provide bright indirect light to maintain vibrant leaf variegation, though plants tolerate dim corners.
Watering Habit: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely between thorough waterings.
Pet Safety: Suspend vines in hanging baskets or keep containers elevated well away from curious cats and dogs.
