pothos manjula

Cause: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum, the species that includes pothos manjula) is described as forgiving of most care mistakes, but cannot stand waterlogged soil; overwatering is the only serious mistake growers typically make, and freshly repotted plants are especially vulnerable because they appreciate somewhat dry conditions while recovering from the change. Peer-reviewed work on Epipremnum aureum names Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii, soil-borne fungi that persist as vegetative mycelium and/or sclerotia, as the pathogens behind pothos root rot, drastically reducing root length, root fresh weight, and root dry weight of infected plants.

Solution: Check the bottom of the pot to make sure the drainage holes are clear, allow soil to dry slightly between waterings, and never allow the base of the plant to sit in standing water.

Prevention: Use a well-draining potting mix and a container with clear drainage holes; water only when the top of the soil has dried, especially right after repotting; and reduce watering frequency in winter.

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Cause: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum, the species pothos manjula belongs to) is forgiving of occasional dry conditions but will develop yellowing leaves and may drop its oldest leaves, leaving bare stems behind. Houseplant authorities also note that the yellow markings many buyers see on a new pothos will disappear on new growth if the plant is placed in too little light, so a variegated pothos manjula that loses its cream-and-green pattern is signalling it needs more light. Continued yellowing of leaves is usually due to too much water or transplant trauma after repotting.

Solution: Move the plant to a location with higher light so new growth again displays the yellow or cream markings characteristic of pothos manjula, and trim long stems back to the soil level to keep the plant full.

Prevention: Keep pothos manjula in bright, indirect light and rotate the pot so growth stays even; water only when the top of the soil is dry; and trim leggy stems back to the soil so new shoots emerge from the base and keep the plant full.

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Cause: Mealybugs occasionally infest pothos (Epipremnum aureum, the species pothos manjula belongs to), which is normally a remarkably pest-free plant, but when they do show up they appear as white, cottony masses on stems or leaf undersides where they feed on plant sap. Pothos manjula's dense, variegated foliage offers plenty of leaf joints and stem crevices where the insects can settle unnoticed.

Solution: Remove mealybugs by dabbing each white, cottony mass with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, taking care to reach into the leaf joints where the insects hide.

Prevention: Inspect new plants and any pothos manjula that has spent time outdoors before bringing them back indoors; wipe the leaves periodically so cottony masses are noticed early; and keep the plant in good light with steady airflow so a small population cannot establish.

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Cause: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum, the species pothos manjula belongs to) develops brown spots surrounded by yellow halos when infected with bacterial leaf spot, a disease encouraged by moisture sitting on the foliage. Because pothos manjula leaves are broad and slightly cupped, water that lands on them during watering can linger long enough for bacteria to enter the leaf tissue.

Solution: Clip off affected leaves, or entire branches that hold many spotted leaves, with clean, sharp scissors and dispose of the clippings rather than composting them.

Prevention: Water pothos manjula at the soil level rather than overhead, allow the top of the soil to dry between waterings, and provide bright, indirect light with gentle airflow so the leaves never stay wet for long.

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