Marble Queen Pothos

Written by Em Casalena
Published: February 21, 2023
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The marble queen pothos, also known as Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen,’ is a speckled plant that is quite easy to grow, maintain, and propagate. Because of this, both rookie and seasoned gardeners love it as an indoor houseplant.

If this is your first time caring for Marble Queen pothos, we’ve got all you need to know in our in-depth guide on growing this delightful pothos variety, as well as some intriguing facts about this unusual variegated plant.

What is a Marble Queen Pothos?

One of the most common species of indoor plants is the pothos plant, and for good reason. They grow quickly, are hardy, and require little maintenance. Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’ is the name given to this cultivar of pothos because of its swirls of rich green and white on the plant’s distinctive heart-shaped leaves. It is undoubtedly a wonderful, minimal-care option for novices because of its quickly expanding vines, which will add a lush impression to any area. It can easily reach 10 feet long and three feet wide when grown indoors. For those who wish to grow this plant outdoors, it does well in USDA hardiness zones 11 through 12. The marble queen pothos is one of the most popular variegated varieties of pothos available in the plant trade today, and it can easily be found in garden centers and local nurseries.

Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen' pothos houseplant

Marble queen pothos (pictures) are known for their stunning leaf variegation.

©iStock.com/Firn

How to Care for Marble Queen Pothos

This very variegated pothos is adaptable, tolerant of neglect (to a degree), and easy to cultivate. They don’t need things like routine trimming or repotting in order to survive and can grow well in almost any area of your house. Belive it or not, marble queen pothos prefer to be slightly rootbound and shouldn’t require repotting more often than every two years.

Although they enjoy regular watering, marble queen pothos are also quite drought hardy, so don’t worry if you sometimes forget to water them. As soon as the top two inches of soil have dried up, they should be watered.

Because of its ability to thrive at typical household temperatures and home humidity levels, marble queen pothos make excellent houseplants. Be careful not to expose them to temperatures below 55 degrees F since they are not cold-tolerant plants. While not necessary, giving your marble queen pothos some more humidity will aid in promoting robust, healthy growth. They thrive in moist environments like bathrooms and kitchens, but you can also add a humidifier or put them on a water pebble tray to give them a little additional moisture.

Like other pothos, marble queen pothos thrive in indirect, bright light. Although they can take brief periods of direct morning or evening light, you should normally keep your marble queen pothos out of the direct rays of the sun.

Generally speaking, marble queen pothos can thrive in a wide range of soil types as long as the soil is loamy and well-draining. Most plant stores and greenhouses have normal indoor potting soil, which is often used for growing these plants. To create your own light and aerated soil combination, however, combine one part potting soil, one part perlite, and one part your preferred type of bark (though the bark is not 100% necessary). Your pothos will flourish in this mixture since it is so light. With marble queen pothos, fertilizer is not necessary but is an alternative. They should receive the nutrients they need to flourish as long as they are placed in loamy potting soil. But, it is never a bad idea to fertilize them frequently while they are developing because this might assist to promote healthy development. Throughout the spring and summer, you can fertilize your pothos plant once a month using a well-balanced liquid potted plant fertilizer.

pothos

Marble queen pothos (pictured) make excellent potted indoor plants due to their ease of care.

©Firn/Shutterstock.com

Common Pests and Diseases That Target Marble Queen Pothos

Marble queen pothos are usually quite trouble-free, low-maintenance houseplants. That being said, problems might occur if you don’t water your plant properly or if it doesn’t get enough light. Yellowing and browning leaves on your marble queen pothos are two typical issues you could encounter.

If you have overwatered, exposed your plant to excessive direct sunlight, or have not given it enough sunshine, the leaves on your marble queen pothos will begin to yellow. The variegation in its leaves might also start to disappear. It might be difficult to diagnose, but consider your existing plant care practice and identify the most likely reason.

Browning leaves are often a sign of inadequate moisture or low humidity. Be sure to water your pothos frequently, and keep it away from extremely dry areas like those near drafty windows, AC units, or heating vents. If just the leaf tips are becoming brown, the cause could be a lack of watering, a lack of humidity, or bad tap water quality. If your pothos is too close to a window that receives severe direct sunlight throughout the day, this might occasionally be a sign of sun damage. Dry air is most likely to blame if you detect brown leaf tips throughout the winter. 

Root rot is another common problem that indoor pothos plants face. Root rot occurs when soil is kept too moist via overwatering or a lack of pot drainage, which causes the roots of the plant to become diseased. To prevent root rot, be careful to avoid overwatering your plant and make sure your potting container has enough drainage.

Droopy leaves are another common pothos ailment. It’s possible that you might have overwatered your marble queen pothos and inadvertently caused root rot, which makes the plant unable to absorb adequate water. This will cause drooping or withered leaves. If you believe you have overwatered your plant, take the plant out, trim off the rotting ends with clean scissors, and repot it in new potting soil with a handful of perlite for better drainage.

A few common pests, including scale, mealybugs, gnats, and mites, can affect marble queen pothos plants. The easiest approach to avoid full-blown infestations is to regularly check your plant for pest indications. You can use neem oil or organic insecticides from your local nursery to stop the infestation before it gets too severe.

Succulent plant infested with mealybugs.

Mealybugs (pictured) can become a particularly serious issue for pothos plants if not treated quickly.

©panattar/Shutterstock.com

How to Propagate Marble Queen Pothos

Stem cuttings are an easy method of growing more marble queen pothos, which is a terrific technique to promote fuller development on your present plant or produce new plants to give to friends. You only need to follow a few easy steps in order to propagate your pothos plant.

Start by clipping stems off of your pothos plant that boast at least four nodes apiece. Leave at least two leaves at the top of each cutting and remove the bottom two or three leaves to reveal the nodes. Make sure your cuttings are placed in a glass jar with water so that the leaves on top of the cuttings are still visible above the water’s surface. The jar should be placed in an area that receives moderate to bright indirect light, and the water should be changed once a week to keep it fresh. Remember to always use clean, filtered, dechlorinated water. When the cuttings have been submerged in water for around two or three weeks, little white roots should start to form.

The cuttings can be replanted in soil after the roots are at least an inch long. At this point, you may either make new plants or add them back to the pot that has the parent plant. Put the cuttings in dampened soil and firmly press them down. For the first two weeks after planting, keep the soil continuously wet to help the cuttings reacclimate to the soil. Replant the cuttings in an area that receives medium to bright indirect light.

How to Repot a Marble Queen Pothos

If your marble queen pothos is showing signs of being rootbound, it could be time to repot it. Usually, you won’t have to do this more than once every one or two years. To repot your pothos, you’ll need a pot that is two inches bigger than your current pot, a trowel, and some fresh organic potting soil. Be sure to fully hydrate the plant the day before you want to repot it so that it is prepared for the big move.

Turn the plant sideways while holding the stems firmly to free it from the pot you’re taking it from. After that, tap the bottom of the pot until the plant and dirt slide out. Loosen the dirt surrounding the plant, then spread the roots out slowly. Place the plant in the container with some new potting soil, making sure the roots don’t extend above the rim by more than an inch. More potting soil should be added to the pot, the edges of the plant, and the area surrounding the main stem. Making sure the pothos is securely erect and centered, compact the earth by lightly pressing on it. Water the newly potted plant vigorously in a sink until all the extra water drains out the drainage holes. Place your marble queen pothos in an area with medium to bright indirect sunlight and moderate to high humidity. That’s it!

Do Marble Queen Pothos Require Misting?

Although spraying is a common method for increasing humidity around plants, it is usually a bit ineffective for pothos. Misting merely momentarily wets the leaves, which might result in bacterial diseases. Consider putting a humidifier nearby or relocating your pothos to a humid location in your house, such as the laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom, if you’d want to boost the humidity surrounding your plant. If you want to mist your pothos to clean its leaves, make sure to gently dry the leaves with a soft cloth after misting.

Can Marble Queen Pothos Grow Flowers?

Although marble queen pothos can blossom, it is uncommon to see them do so indoors, and the flowers are generally inconsequential in comparison to the plant’s gorgeous foliage. If you are fortunate enough to see a bloom or two, it is a wonderful indication that your pothos is healthy and flourishing under your care.

Are Marble Queen Pothos Plants Poisonous?

Sadly, if consumed, marble queen pothos leaves and stems are somewhat poisonous to people, dogs, and cats. If you have small children or pets at home, use caution when incorporating this pothos variety into your home. Many plant parents will keep their pothos on a high shelf or somewhere out of reach to play it safe.

The marble queen pothos is a classic among pothos cultivars, and for good reason. Its unusually variegated appearance has the classic pothos look that has made it so popular as a decorative houseplant. With just a little bit of care and patience, the marble queen pothos can make an excellent addition to your plant collection.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © DJD_Media/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Em Casalena is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on plants, gardening, and sustainability. Em has been writing and researching about plants for nearly a decade and is a proud Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduate and certified Urban Farming instructor. Em is a resident of Arizona and enjoys learning about eco-conscious living, thrifting at local shops, and caring for their Siamese cat Vladimir.

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