The Njoy Pothos is a petite, pretty, and low-maintenance tropical houseplant, recognizable for its vivid variegation and ornamental vines. Despite its compact size, the bold and beautiful foliage is bound to add interest and depth to any houseplant collection with its dramatically decorative block-colored leaves of greens and milky whites.
History, Origin, and Appearance
The Pothos species (Epipremnum aureum) belonging to the Araceae family, is native to Northern Polynesia but has been successfully introduced to many tropical and sub-subtropical regions across the globe.
A humidity-loving climbing and vining plant, the Njoy Pothos is a relative baby among the pothos species. It was first developed in 2002 by researchers in a commercial greenhouse in Mumbai, India, who had been tasked with creating a new variety of pothos with more vividly amplified variegation patterns.
The Njoy was borne of a naturally occurring mutation of the rather more established Marble Queen Pothos.
Like its mother plant, Njoy is characterized by stunning variegated foliage, although the variegation pattern is somewhat distinct. Rather than the eponymous milky marbled pattern of the Queen, the Njoy displays a more solid, almost geometric block pattern of creamy, off-white variegation.
Whilst the leaves of Marble Queen typically contain no more than two shades of green, the leaves of Njoy display a spectrum of different shades of green.
Despite its relative newness, the Njoy pothos has fast become a firm favorite of houseplant enthusiasts, owing to its elegant and striking appearance, and low maintenance requirements.
Care Guide
In this section we cover important Njoy pothos care topics such as lighting, watering, fertilizing, and more.
Growth Habit
The pothos Njoy has a generally slower growth pattern and smaller leaves than other pothos, due to its more prominent variegation. It is more compact than its sprawling mother plant, Marble Queen, reaching only around 8 – 10 inches tall, although its vines can stretch to lengths of up to 10 feet. Njoy is a climbing or hanging vine so is perfectly suited to your hanging planters or moss poles.
Lighting
Njoy pothos prefers bright, indirect sunlight for around 6 hours per day, or around 1-2 hours per day of direct sunlight, ideally at a time when the sun is not at its hottest. Brighter conditions will improve the vibrancy of your Njoy’s variegation, as well as the growth speed and foliage density, but too much direct light may scorch and damage the leaves.
Watering
A typical tropical plant, your Njoy will be grateful for moderate yet regular watering, although it is somewhat forgiving in this respect. During the growing season, weekly watering is preferable, and you should allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely between watering. During winter, when the plant isn’t actively growing, reduce the regularity of watering to once every 10-14 days.
Njoy is susceptible to root rot if overwatered or left in standing water for long periods, so it’s a good idea to remove any excess water from the saucer or drip tray. Severe under-watering, on the other hand, will cause your Njoy’s leaves to wilt or become discolored and crispy.
There’s no need for fancy distilled water or rainwater collection though, as Njoy is quite satisfied with simple tap water, provided it is not heavily chlorinated. If there is a high level of chlorine in your tap water, it’s best to leave it to sit out for a couple of days before watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Pothos typically thrive in the warm, humid conditions of rainforests. In the home, Njoy is tolerant of dryer air, but still loves moisture, so will be grateful for the occasional misting, particularly during warmer months. They are happiest in humidity levels between 50 – 70 percent. The ideal temperature for your Njoy is between 65 to 85° F, and warmer temperatures will encourage growth.
Soil and Pots
Your Njoy will appreciate a loose, light, and well-draining soil mixture of peat and perlite, which allows for an even distribution of moisture throughout the substrate. Pothos are relatively unfussy when it comes to pots, just so long as there is a drainage hole to avoid waterlogged soil, or ’wet-feet’.
Fertilizing
In general, pothos species are relatively light feeders, so don’t require a huge amount of food. During the growing period from spring to summer, you could add a small amount of fertilizer every 1-2 months, to promote healthy, dense growth. There is no need to fertilize during winter when your Njoy is not actively growing.
Pruning
Moderate pruning can really improve the appearance of your Njoy by encouraging thicker and fuller foliage and keeping its vines at a manageable length. If you notice your Njoy is beginning to look sparse, a decent pruning will encourage strong stems and bushy leaf regrowth from the pruning site. As with all plants, make sure that your pruning shears are thoroughly clean before making any incisions.
Repotting
When it needs repotting, your Njoy will usually let you know! It may display drooping leaves or stunted growth, despite having adequate water and light. Alternatively, you can check the roots through the drainage hole at the base of the pot. If they are starting to emerge through the hole, or seem overly dense and compacted, then your Njoy has probably become root-bound. Simply transfer to a pot at least one size larger and refresh the soil. It is generally best to repot your Njoy in the warmer months, as the roots will find the transition easier.
NJoy Pothos Propagation
Njoy pothos is incredibly easy to propagate from once your parent plant is fairly well established. As with repotting, you should aim to propagate your Njoy in the warmer months when growth is most rapid. Water propagation is the most effective method.
- Select a healthy stem no more than six inches in length with a least four variegated leaves.
- Cut your chosen stem just beneath a leaf node. This node is where the new roots will emerge from.
- Submerge the node end of the cutting in a bottle, jar, or other transparent container and fill with water, ensuring the leaves remain safely above the waterline.
- New roots should begin to appear from the node in around two to four weeks.
- Once these new roots are half an inch to an inch long, transplant your baby Njoy to a small pot filled with the same soil mixture as the parent plant.
Don’t allow the new roots to grow too long in the water, as the larger they are, the more they will struggle to adapt to soil. Because Njoy’s tend to root fairly well, they can also be propagated with success by placing the node end of a cut stem directly into well-watered soil. The soil must be kept moist until a reasonably strong root system has been established.
Pests and Disease
Disease
As houseplants go, pothos is fairly disease resistant. Root Rot is the most likely threat to your Njoy, so ensuring that the soil does not become waterlogged is imperative to preventing disease. Bacterial wilt caused by the bacteriaRalstonia solanacearum, which causes the leaves and stems to turn black and wilt severely, is another possible threat. It will typically affect water propagated cuttings or more established plants during warmer periods. In both cases, there is sadly no effective cure, and the plant, pot, and soil should be disposed of to avoid further contamination.
Pests
Mealybugs, whitefly, aphids, and scale bugs are the most likely pests to cause harm to your Njoy. Inspect the underside of the leaves regularly to look for any signs of infestation, which will be visible as many tiny light-colored flecks in clusters. These pests feed on the sap of the plant which stunts growth and causes damage, discoloration, and deformities of the leaves whilst leaving behind powdery, mold-like deposits. Mealybug, whitefly, and aphid infestations can be treated by removing the affected leaves and stems and applying insecticide to the remaining plant.
Scale bugs appear as small waxy bumps on the underside of leaves and secrete a sticky substance. Light infestations may be treated with insecticide, but larger infestations are more difficult to deal with and the Njoy may need to be disposed of if insecticidal treatment is unsuccessful.
Cleaning the leaves with neem oil or rubbing alcohol semi-regularly will help to prevent pests and diseases from taking hold. Be sure to isolate your Njoy from any other plants if you do suspect an infestation of any kind, as this prevents the pests from spreading.
Common Questions
Here are some of the most common question about Njoy pothos care:
Is Njoy Pothos a good choice for air purification?
Pothos species are well known for their purification qualities, even NASA has recognized their purification abilities in a list of the top 18 air filtrating plants! Njoy pothos is a great choice for improving the air quality in your home.
Is Njoy Pothos toxic?
Njoy is toxic to both humans and animals if ingested because of the calcium oxalate crystals contained within all plants belonging to the Araceae family. Ingestion of pothos can irritate the mouth and cause nausea and vomiting, though serious toxicity is only like to occur if huge quantities have been consumed. Although rare, Njoy can also cause mild skin irritation in people with particularly sensitive skin.
Will my Njoy Pothos Flower?
It is incredibly rare for pothos of any variety, including Njoy, to produce blooms. The last recorded pothos bloom was way back in 1964, and that was only achieved with the aid of artificial hormone supplements!
Troubleshooting
Having trouble with your Njoy? Here are some of the most common troubleshooting requests we see:
Why are my Njoy Pothos Leaves Drooping?
If your Njoy’s leaves are drooping, it may be that the soil has dried out completely and your plant is thirsty. A good soak should quickly fix the problem. Conversely, it could also be a sign that the soil is waterlogged or even worse, that the dreaded root rot has set in.
Why has my Njoy Pothos Stopped Growing?
If you notice growth has become slow or stunted during the normal growing season, it may simply be due to inadequate light conditions. Moving your plant to a sunnier spot should encourage better growth. Nutrient deficiencies can also stunt growth, so it may be that your Njoy is ready for a feed. Pests or diseases will also affect growth, so check your plant over for any signs or symptoms and treat accordingly. Keep in mind that growth will slow drastically during the cooler months.
Why is the Variegation of my Njoy Fading?
The more light your Njoy receives, the stronger and more distinct its variegation pattern will be. If starved of light, your Njoy will lose its variegated pattern and become more uniformly green in order to maximize the photosynthesizing potential of the limited sunlight it receives. If this happens, try moving your plant to a sunnier spot. The increased sunlight should help the vivid variegation patterns to return.
Why do my Njoy Leaves Look Pale or Yellow?
Pales leaves may just be a part of the natural life cycle of the plant, as it prepares to shed old leaves ready for new ones to emerge. Yellow leaves can also be a symptom of under-watering, and your plant may be thirsty. More worryingly, pale leaves may be a sign of root rot caused by overwatering or waterlogged soil.
Why have my Njoy Pothos Leaves Developed Dry, Dark Spots?
Dark brown or black spots or dry and crispy leaves can indicate several problems. It is most likely to be caused by under-watering, but confusingly can also be caused by overwatering. Ensure that the top inch of soil is allowed to fully dry out between each watering. Exposure to very intense sunlight or prolonged periods of sunlight could scorch the leaves, leading to them developing dryness or dark spots. Try moving your Njoy to a more sheltered position with indirect light. Too much fertilizer can also cause dark spots.
Why does my Njoy look Leggy?
A ‘leggy’ or sparse appearance could be because of insufficient sunlight. When plants are starved of light they tend to stretch out towards any available light source, which elongates the stems and the distance between leaf nodes, giving the plant a ‘leggy’ appearance. If your Njoy looks sparse, try moving it to a position where it will receive more sunlight. Pruning is also a great way to encourage new, dense growth.
