Devil's Ivy Plant Care
Pothos scandens L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pothos scandens is a climbing tropical forest plant in the calla lily family Araceae. It is the type species of the genus Pothos.
Every 7–14 days
Low to medium indirect light
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Devil's Ivy?
Water Devil's Ivy every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it low to medium indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Devil's Ivy?
Devil's Ivy (Pothos scandens) belongs to the Araceae family within the Pothos genus. Devil's Ivy is also known as Devil's Vine, Devil's Ivy Pothos, Pothos.
Devil's Ivy displays a trailing vine growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Devil's Ivy produces rarely flowers indoors, small greenish spathes.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Devil's Ivy?
Pothos scandens requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Devil's Ivy Need?
Devil's Ivy thrives in low to medium indirect light. The optimal light range is 50–250 lux. Avoid placing Devil's Ivy in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Low to medium indirect light
50–250 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Devil's Ivy Prefer?
Pothos scandens grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Devil's Ivy prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Devil's Ivy?
Well-draining potting mix with perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Devil's Ivy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Devil's Ivy?
Feed Devil's Ivy every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Devil's Ivy?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Devil's Ivy?
Devil's Ivy can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pothos brassii plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Devil's Ivy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to pets, mildly toxic to humans
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Devil's Ivy?
Devil's Ivy is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Devil's Ivy Need?
Devil's Ivy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Devil's Ivy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Devil's Ivy is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pothos genus — compare its care with other Pothos species on PlantoScan.
Pothos is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Devil's Ivy copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pothos scandens L., family Araceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 968 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Devil's Ivy is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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