Epipremnum Aureum ‘Marble Queen’ Care Guide (2024)
Marble Queen Pothos is one of the most commonly grown houseplants, and with good reason.
Epipremnum aureum Marble Queen will happily grow in almost any normal indoor environment and doesn’t even need to be watered very often.
On top of that, it even improves your indoor environment, as all pothos plants filter chemicals from the air.
Scientific Name | Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’ |
Common Name | Marble Queen Pothos, Devil’s Ivy |
Light | Bright indirect sunlight |
Watering | Water if the top half of the soil is dry |
Temperature | 65 to 85ºF (18 to 30ºC) |
Hardiness Zone | 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b |
Humidity | 40 to 60% |
Soil Type | Rich, quick-draining, loamy |
Soil pH | 6.0 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) |
Fertilizing | A balanced feed once a month in spring and summer |
Repotting | Every 2 to 3 years |
Pruning | Beginning of the growing season |
Propagation | Root in water or soil |
Toxicity | Toxic to humans and pets |
Mature Size | 10-foot vine as a houseplant |
Bloom Time | Never blooms indoors |
What’s Unique About Marble Queen Pothos?
Marble Queen Pothos plants are native to the tropical rainforests of French Polynesia. There, the vigorous vines can grow to as long as 66 feet, winding themselves along tree trunks and branches.
When grown outdoors in tropical zones it can become an invasive weed, but that won’t be an issue for your potted plant.
In your home, a Marble Queen Pothos plant will usually only get to between 6 and 10 feet, with beautifully variegated green and white foliage that gives it its name.
Growing Marble Queen Pothos is incredibly easy. In fact, it’s so hard to kill that it’s been dubbed “The Devil’s Ivy”.
Marble Queen Pothos Care
In the South Pacific rainforests where Marble Queen Pothos originates, this evergreen vine grows in hot, steamy conditions under the shade of the tree canopy.
Marble Queen Pothos plant care does not mean recreating that environment in your home; this tough vine will grow quite happily under normal conditions.
However, with better Marble Queen care, you will be rewarded with faster growth and lusher foliage.
Light
Fulfilling Marble Queen Pothos light requirements entails an understanding of its home in the rainforest.
The tropical sun is hot and bright, but by the time it reaches the leaves of Marble Queen Pothos, it’s been filtered through the leaves of the canopy.
Thus, in your home Marble Queen plant light needs are for bright but indirect light, or about 8,000 to 16,000 lux. Full sun will scorch the leaves, while too little will cause new leaves to lose their white variegation.
Keep your Marble Queen Pothos in a north or east-facing window, or several feet back from a south or west exposure.
Watering
In the rainforest, Marble Queen Pothos is actually acclimated to relatively dry periods followed by downpours.
In your home, it’s easy to replicate those watering needs. Only water Marble Pothos when the soil is dry halfway down.
If the pot seems to be getting pretty lightweight, or the leaves are drooping a bit, it’s time.
The best method of Marble Queen Pothos watering is to put the pot into a sink or pail full of water.
Hold it down until it stops floating, and leave it until the soil is fully saturated.
Then, let all the excess water drain away before setting it back in its saucer.
Temperature
Basically, when it comes to the best temperature for Marble Queen, the hotter the better. It is after all, a native of the tropics.
The acceptable Marble Queen Pothos temperature range is 65 to 85ºF (18 to 30ºC).
Any heated space should easily be within the lower end of that range. As well, in hot summer weather you can move your Marble Queen Pothos outdoors to luxuriate in hot and humid conditions.
However, Marble Queen Pothos does not have much temperature tolerance below that range. Temperatures below 55°F (13°C) will damage the leaves.
Finally, it has no frost hardiness, and freezing temperatures will kill it.
Humidity
In the rainforests of French Polynesia, Marble Queen Pothos evolved in humidity as high as 95%.
However, it’s not necessary to make it that steamy in your home. Anything between 40 to 60% will be sufficient to satisfy Marble Queen Pothos humidity requirements.
Still, you might need to supplement the humidity level somewhat closer to the ideal humidity for Marble Queen plant if the leaves start to get brown tips.
You can mist the leaves every day or so with a fine spray of distilled water, or set up a small humidifier to keep it and all your tropical plants happy.
Soil
The best soil for Marble Queen is loose and well-draining, with a fair amount of organic matter.
The soil ph level for Marble Queen is 6.0 to 6.5, or mildly acidic.
On the whole, making a good Marble Queen Pothos soil isn’t complicated.
You will do just fine with a standard potting soil mix, with a handful each of perlite and peat moss to open it up a bit more.
Of course, you don’t need any soil at all for your Marble Queen Pothos, as it will quite happily grow in water, maybe trailing out of an aquarium.
Fertilizer
While you do not have to use any fertilizer for Marble Queen, you will get faster growth and larger leaves by adding in that component of its care.
Any good liquid plant food with a balanced fertilizer ratio of 10-10-10 will be a perfect Marble Queen Pothos fertilizer.
Dilute it to half strength and pour evenly over the soil surface right after you’ve watered.
If you are growing your Marble Queen Pothos in an aquarium, it will get its nutrients from the fish wastes. However, if it’s in its own water, you will need to add some liquid fertilizer when you change the water.
Potting & Repotting
Marble Queen Pothos repotting should be done every 2 or 3 years.
However, don’t wait that long for repotting Marble Queen if you see roots growing out of the bottom, or if the soil has been displaced by lots of roots.
No matter how much it’s rootbound, only go up one pot size, or a couple of inches, as too roomy a pot can actually set back your Marble Queen Pothos growth.
An unglazed clay pot will work better than a plastic or glazed one, as it will keep the soil from staying too moist.
Always use fresh potting soil; in fact, when your Marble Queen Pothos reaches its full size, you won’t be repotting to a bigger pot, but just refreshing the soil.
Pruning
Marble Queen Pothos pruning should be done in early spring, right at the beginning of its growing season.
However, you should trim any dead or damaged leaves whenever you see them, throughout the year. You want your Marble Queen Pothos to always be looking its best!
Cutting Marble Queen stems will keep it from growing too leggy and will encourage bushier lateral growth for a fuller look.
Always cut just above a node, as that’s where the vigorous new growth will come from.
Cut the stems with sharp, sterilized scissors, and use those cuttings to start some new Marble Queen Pothos plants.
Propagation
As you might expect from a plant that has a reputation as an invasive weed, Marble Queen Pothos propagation is quite simple, even for beginners.
To propagate Marble Queen, start with lengths of stem with 4 or 5 nodes, and several leaves.
Trim the stem just below the bottom node, and strip all but the top leaves off.
Put the stem into a jar of water, or in moistened soil, and keep it in a warm, humid spot out of direct sun. Change the water every few days.
Within a month or so you should have newly rooted plants to plant out on their own.
Also, make sure to check out our in-depth njoy Pothos plant care guide.
Common Problems of Marble Queen Pothos
There really are very few Marble Queen Pothos problems that you have to worry about, and most of them are easily solved.
However, it’s even better to prevent problems with Marble Queen before they happen by paying attention to its preferred growing conditions.
If problems do develop, the leaves are going to be your early warning that there’s something you need to pay attention to.
Pests
Potential Marble Queen Pothos pests include most of the usual houseplant bugs.
Mealybugs look like clumps of cotton on the underside of leaves. Wipe them off with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Scale are small brown bumps, usually on the stems. Scrape them off.
Spider mites are too small to see, but they leave yellow bumps on the leaves and sometimes webs. Spray them off in the shower.
Fungus gnats are little black flies. Drench the soil surface with one part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water once a week until they’re gone.
Spraying or wiping down the leaves once a month with an organic insecticide such as neem oil or insecticidal soap will keep them clean of insects.
Diseases
Marble Queen Pothos diseases can usually be prevented by keeping the soil and foliage on the dry side.
Pythium root rot is the likely culprit if your Marble Queen leaves turn yellow and the stems are mushy. Pull out the root ball and see if the roots are turning black with a foul smell.
If leaves have yellow spots that spread quickly, it’s bacterial leaf spot. Cut off all the affected leaves and dispose of them in the garbage.
Rhizoctonia stem rot leaves a powdery texture on the stem ends and soil.
For all these diseases, cut off all infected parts and replant it in fresh potting soil in a new pot.
Growing Problems
Sometimes you don’t actually have a sick plant, just an unhappy one.
Many Marble Queen Pothos growing problems are caused by less than ideal conditions, and all you have to do is improve them.
Browning leaves probably mean that your plant is too dry. Give the soil a good soaking and don’t let it dry out so much in future.
Yellowing leaves, if the soil isn’t too wet, may mean that your Marble Queen Pothos is getting too much light, or not enough. Move it to a spot where the light is bright but not too harsh.
Leaves turning solid green may also indicate low light levels.
Toxicity of Marble Queen Pothos
Marble Queen is considered toxic to humans and animals.
Its toxicity is due to the calcium oxalate crystals in all parts of the plant, including the sap, leaves, stems, and roots.
While exposure to it is rarely life-threatening, it can still pose a risk, especially to your pets and children.
For Humans
Marble Queen Pothos is toxic to humans.
Adults are unlikely to try eating it, but you never know what young children will get into.
If your child eats any Marble Queen Pothos foliage, get them to spit it out and rinse their mouth, and clean off any remnants from their skin.
They will probably complain of localized pain in their mouth, so give them a cold treat such as a popsicle to help numb the pain.
However, if they have a swollen tongue or difficulty breathing, they need medical care, so take them immediately to the emergency room.
The sap can cause a rash, so just thoroughly rinse it off if you get some on your skin.
For Pets
Since pets can be severely affected by ingesting Marble Queen Pothos, you should take precautions to grow it out of their reach.
Since it’s a vining plant, it will grow well trailing from a hanging basket or along a mantlepiece or high shelf. This will also keep it safe from any children.
However, if your cat, dog, or rabbit does eat some of the Marble Queen Pothos foliage, they may start drooling, vomiting, wheezing, or having diarrhea.
Do not try to treat the symptoms yourself, but take your pet straight to the veterinarian. They can have permanent organ damage without medical intervention.
Marble Queen Pothos Appearance
The Marble Queen Pothos appearance is largely defined by its beautiful variegated leaves.
Whether you train it up a pole or let it trail from a hanging basket, its luxuriant growth will enhance your home.
While you will probably never see a Marble Queen flower, that’s hardly a drawback when the evergreen foliage is so decorative and fresh year-round.
Foliage
The foliage of Marble Queen Pothos is its most outstanding feature.
The leaves of Marble Queen Pothos have a random variegation of creamy white and bright green, no two looking the same.
They are thick and waxy with a smooth texture.
A heart-shaped leaf on the juvenile plant grown indoors can grow to about 4 to 6 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide.
When grown outdoors in a tropical region, the leaves on a mature Marble Queen Pothos can be 3 feet long, and become pinnated. It would be hard to tell that they are from the same cultivar.
Flowering
Unless you are growing your Marble Queen Pothos outdoors in a tropical climate, you will not see it blooming.
Marble Queen Pothos flowering will only occur when the vines have reached their mature size and the leaves have become huge and pinnated. That cannot happen on an indoor plant, which is always in its juvenile stage.
When they do appear, flowers form on upright stalks, and have a purple spathe wrapped around a creamy white spadix.
However, the absence of flowers on your potted vine isn’t a big deal, as the real attraction is the lush profusion of evergreen leaves.
Size and Growth
The normal size of Marble Queen Pothos when grown as a houseplant is 6 to 10 feet, depending on how much you prune it to encourage bushiness rather than length.
A Marble Queen Pothos trained to climb a sphagnum moss pole will grow longer than one that trails from a hanging planter.
However, if you really let it ramble, it can get to 20 feet long.
Outdoors, a mature Marble Queen Pothos can be as long as 66 feet.
The growth rate of Marble Queen Pothos is slower than for other pothos cultivars, as it has less chlorophyll because of its white variegation. It may take 5 years to reach its full size indoors.
Marble Queen Pothos Fragrance
There is no Marble Queen Pothos fragrance. While the flowers may have a scent, they never bloom on indoor plants, so essentially this tropical vine is fragrance-free.
If you want a plant to decorate your office, but need to consider the allergies and sensitivities of others, Marble Queen Pothos is a perfect choice.
You yourself may have fragrance sensitivities. In that case, including Marble Queen Pothos in your indoor garden would be a good idea, especially in cramped quarters.
At the same time, pothos plants are excellent at filtering the air of chemicals such as formaldehyde, so it can make your indoor environment healthier.
Suggested Uses for Marble Queen Pothos
Even if you live in a tropical climate zone, it’s probably best to grow Marble Queen Pothos as an indoors plant.
Pothos plants have become notorious as invasive weeds in non-native environments, notably Sri Lanka. So, even if you can grow it outside in the ground, don’t. It’s much safer in a pot.
Indoors, you can let it happily ramble along a high shelf or mantle, or let it trail its vines from a hanging basket. It’s also perfect for training up a sphagnum moss pole.
In even the smallest studio apartment, you will be able to grow a Marble Queen Pothos without losing precious square footage.
FAQ
What is Marble Queen Pothos?
Marble Queen Pothos is an evergreen tropical vine native to the rainforests of French Polynesia. It is usually grown as a houseplant for its foliage.
How to identify Marble Queen Pothos?
Marble Queen Pothos has variegated creamy white and green heart-shaped leaves, with a thick, waxy texture. They grow on long, sprawling vines that either trail or climb.
How to care for Marble Queen Pothos?
Marble Queen Pothos should be grown in bright, indirect light, in warm and humid surroundings, in well-drained soil that is watered only when 50% dry.
How to grow Marble Queen Pothos indoors?
Marble Queen Pothos can be grown indoors as a potted plant, either in a hanging basket or on a high shelf and allowed to trail, or staked to climb.
How to grow Marble Queen Pothos outdoors?
Marble Queen Pothos should only be grown outdoors in a container, as it is an invasive plant that can quickly damage native ecosystems when it grows unchecked.
How fast does Marble Queen Pothos grow?
Marble Queen Pothos has a moderately slow growth rate, taking up to 5 years to reach its full size as a potted plant when grown indoors.
How tall does Marble Queen Pothos grow?
Marble Queen Pothos vines can reach as far as 20 feet under good conditions indoors, although most plants get to between 6 and 10 feet.
How to make Marble Queen Pothos grow faster?
Marble Queen Pothos will grow fastest in the brightest light possible without burning its leaves, and with very warm temperatures, high humidity and regular fertilizing.
How to stake Marble Queen Pothos?
Marble Queen Pothos grows very well when allowed to climb a sphagnum moss pole. Poles can be added on when it reaches the top of its current one.
How to pot Marble Queen Pothos?
Marble Queen Pothos should be planted in rich but well-draining potting soil, in an unglazed clay pot to allow the soil to breathe and remain fairly dry.
How to revive Marble Queen Pothos?
If your Marble Queen Pothos is in completely dry soil, put the pot into a pail of water, and hold it down until it has absorbed all the water it can.
Why is my Marble Queen Pothos dying?
If your Marble Queen Pothos has yellow or brown leaves, and mushy stems, your plant has a fungal disease. Remove all infected parts and repot it in fresh soil.
Why is my Marble Queen Pothos drooping?
Your Marble Queen Pothos may be drooping because it either needs water or has too much. Either give it a good soaking or replant it in fresh, porous soil.
How cold can Marble Queen Pothos tolerate?
Marble Queen Pothos will suffer foliage damage when kept in temperatures below 55°F (13°C), and freezing temperatures will kill it. Keep it out of drafts and away from cold windows.
How to get rid of pests on Marble Queen Pothos?
Marble Queen Pothos pests can be eliminated or prevented by the regular use of organic insecticides such as neem oil or insecticidal soap on the leaves and stems.
Is Marble Queen Pothos toxic to cats?
Yes, Marble Queen Pothos is toxic to cats. If your cat is vomiting, wheezing, or drooling, take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Is Marble Queen Pothos toxic to dogs?
Yes, Marble Queen Pothos is toxic to dogs. If your dog eats some foliage and starts drooling excessively or has difficulty breathing, you need to take him to the vet at once.
Is Marble Queen Pothos toxic to children?
Yes, Marble Queen Pothos is toxic to children. A child who has swelling of their tongue or airways after eating some of the foliage or stem should go to the emergency immediately.
Is Marble Queen Pothos toxic to humans?
Yes, Marble Queen Pothos is toxic to humans, who can have a rash develop after exposure to the sap. Rinse any sap off your skin.
Does Marble Queen Pothos have a scent?
No, Marble Queen Pothos does not have a scent. It never flowers indoors and the foliage has no fragrance. This makes it suitable for use around people with allergies.