If you want to know how to grow and care for glacier pothos, then you are at the right place. Glacier pothos is a stunning variegated variety of the widely grown pothos houseplant.
The Glacier has the same low maintenance requirements as other pothos but with the added appeal of variegated foliage. They can also naturally clean the air, which is another advantage for you and your home.
Continue reading to learn everything you need about this potential new addition to your houseplant collection!
Table of Contents
What is Glacier Pothos?
The Glacier pothos is a variegated pothos with soft green and bright white color blocks covering the foliage. The Glacier pothos, like other types, is tolerant of various growing conditions and is notorious for being difficult to kill.
The Glacier, like other pothos varieties, requires little care and is not fussy. This makes it an excellent starter plant for those looking to test their green thumb on a variegated plant. The Glacier pothos’ variegation isn’t stable.
If the plant is not properly cared for, it may lose its variegation. Even if you do everything correctly, the variegation has the potential to revert.
How To Grow Glacier Pothos: Easy Guide
The glacier pothos, like all pothos, is easily propagated through stem cuttings. Propagating your pothos is an excellent way to increase the size of your plant (by replanting the rooted cuttings in the same pot) or to create new plants to keep or share with friends. Furthermore, it can be completed in a few simple steps.
Using pruning shears or scissors, take stem cuttings from a healthy glacier pothos plant. Each stem cutting should have at least three to four nodes but no more than six or seven. Cuttings with too many nodes/leaves will have a more difficult time rooting.
- Take out the bottom. 1 to 2 leaves from each cutting so that the nodes at the base of the stem are visible.
- Fill a container halfway with fresh water and submerge the stem cuttings so that the exposed stem is submerged, but the leaves at the top of the cutting remain above the water.
- Place the cuttings in an area with bright, indirect light and change the water once a week. After a few weeks, you should see small white roots growing from the nodes along the stem. Cuttings can be planted in soil once the roots are at least 1 to 2 inches long.
- Plant the rooted cuttings in a small pot(s) filled with a well-draining potting mix. Water the cuttings thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain from the pot, and then replant the cuttings in their original bright location.
- Keep the soil evenly moist for the first couple of weeks to help the cuttings acclimate back to the soil. After 1 to 2 weeks, you can resume allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
How do you care for Glacier pothos?
The glacier pothos is a beautiful plant that is as easy to care for as it is to grow. Semi-regular watering and a sunny window are all required to keep these pothos happy. If you’ve previously cared for a pothos, you’ll have no trouble with this variegated cultivator.
It should be noted, however, that the glacier pothos is relatively slow-growing compared to some of its pothos family relatives, so don’t be alarmed if your plant isn’t exploding with new growth.
1. Light
This pothos prefers direct sunlight. A location with several hours of bright, indirect light is ideal, but glacier pothos can also thrive in medium light. While many pothos varieties thrive in low light conditions, this is not one of them. If the glacier pothos does not receive enough light, it will become leggy and lose its variegation due to its highly variegated leaves.
2. Soil
Glacier pothos should be planted in a well-draining soil mix that retains moisture. This balance can be achieved by combining organic and mineral components in a 1:1 ratio. A mixture of equal parts indoor potting soil and perlite, for example, is a simple option that you can quickly make at home with supplies from your local nursery or garden center. While most indoor potting soil contains some perlite, adding more before planting your glacier pothos will ensure that the soil does not compact over time and that the plant’s roots have plenty of drainages.
3. Water
Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry between waterings, then water thoroughly. This pothos prefers consistent watering but is drought tolerant and should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings to avoid root rot. Allow any excess water to drain from the pot’s drainage holes after each watering, which will also help to prevent overwatering and root rot.
4. Humidity and Temperature
Pothos are native to warm, humid climates and thrive in temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). This makes them ideal for indoor cultivation, and the glacier pothos is no exception. Remember that glacier pothos are not frost-tolerant plants and should be kept away from any cold or draughty windows during the winter months to prevent shock.
5. Fertilizer
During the active growing season, glacier pothos benefits from regular fertilization to promote strong, healthy growth. For best results, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer. When the plant is no longer actively growing in the fall and winter, stop fertilizing.
6. Pruning
Pruning is not required for caring for glacier pothos, but it can be done on occasion to control their growth. Remember that because this pothos grows slowly, any trimmed growth will not be quickly replaced. It’s also worth noting that, unlike some other types of houseplants, pothos do not ‘branch’ where a pruning cut is made. A pruned pothos vine will usually send out a new shoot from the closest node and continue to grow the single vine in this manner. More than one new growth point can appear at times, but this is not always the case.
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How much light does Glacier pothos need?
Glacier pothos requires medium to bright light, but it must be indirect. The leaves of this plant will burn if exposed to direct sunlight. A good rule of thumb is to give the Glacier pothos 10 to 12 hours of light per day.
It is best to place the Glacier pothos near a window that is filtered by a sheer curtain and receives soft sunlight. Ensure that its leaves are not exposed to direct sunlight, damaging the foliage and the pothos’ overall health.
If you are unable to provide enough sunlight to the Glacier pothos, you can use additional lighting. Supplemental lighting for houseplants is best provided by grow lights and fluorescent lighting. Ensure the light isn’t shining directly on the pothos, as this can burn and damage the plant’s foliage.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
While the glacier pothos is not susceptible to any specific pests or diseases, you should keep an eye out for some common houseplant pests that will happily make this plant their home.
Keep an eye out for spider mites, thrips, scale, and mealybugs in particular. These pests usually infest a glacier pothos by migrating from another infested houseplant, so inspecting your houseplants for signs of pests on a regular basis is a good way to avoid full-blown infestations.
FAQs
Q1. What kind of soil does Glacier Pothos require?
The Glacier pothos prefers soil that is light, airy, well-drained, and rich in organic matter. Traditional potting soil will suffice in a pinch, but you may want to mix it with coco coir or perlite.
Glacier, like other pothos varieties, can grow in various soils. Some indoor gardeners have discovered succulent potting soil works wonders for Glacier pothos. This is due to the fact that the soil is designed to be light and airy, allowing for good water drainage.
Q2. How to fertilize Glacier pothos?
To feed the Glacier pothos, experts recommend diluting a balanced fertilizer to half its strength. During the plant’s active growing season, which is in the spring and summer, you should do this once every week or every two weeks.
Because this is a light feeder, a simple liquid fertilizer like 5-5-5 is ideal. Some indoor gardeners have had success feeding Glacier pothos fish emulsions instead of commercial fertilizers.