Lemon Meringue Pothos
Something New for Your Plant Shelf!
This eye-catching new pothos variety has green and yellow variegated leaves.
What is a Lemon Meringue Pothos?
Looking for an excuse to buy a new plant (aren’t we all 😉)? Try Lemon Meringue pothos, a new and unusual pothos variety discovered by Costa Farms. Lemon Meringue (Epipremnum aureum ‘Lemon Meringue’) sets itself apart from other pothos cultivars with its unique pattern of leaf coloration. Dark green leaves are variegated with irregular streaks of light green, pale yellow, and occasionally cream, creating a dynamic gradient effect and bringing a bright, sunny charm to any indoor space. This unusual color contrast gives Lemon Meringue a fresh, exciting appearance that differentiates it from other pothos types like Golden and Global Green. The yellow leaf colors show best when the plant is grown in bright sunlight, and tend to fade to green at lower light levels.
Lemon Meringue is referred to as a “sport” of Global Green pothos, meaning it’s a genetic mutation with its own unique characteristics. Lemon Meringue belongs to the arum (Araceae) plant family and shares many characteristics with other pothos varieties, including heart-shaped leaves and a trailing growth habit. It is easy to grow and looks great on any bright desktop, bookshelf, tabletop, or plant shelf, and makes a great plant gift for novice growers due to its easy nature and low maintenance requirements.
To style a Lemon Meringue pothos plant, let it trail from a hanging planter or place it high on a shelf and let the beautiful cascading vines create a dramatic focal point. Or, train the plant to grow vertically up a trellis or moss pole in a bright space, which encourages the formation of larger leaves. To make a unique design statement, gently rest the trailing vines of Lemon Meringue pothos atop tiny nails or hooks that are affixed to a wall, guiding the plant and allowing it to creep up and around the walls of the room. These trailing vines can grow 6-10 feet long indoors! Lemon Meringue pothos is an eye-catching plant and makes an easy, professional and unique Zoom background when set on a shelf or table behind your desk.
How Do I Care for Lemon Meringue Pothos?
Lemon Meringue pothos is very easy to care for and does well as an indoor houseplant. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and will also tolerate medium to low light. Keep in mind, lower levels of light will cause the variegated leaf pattern to lose its intensity. Lemon Meringue pothos does not like direct sunlight - keep away from the direct rays of the sun, which can cause brown, burned spots to form on the leaves.
Water your Lemon Meringue pothos every 1-2 weeks when the top 2 inches of potting soil have dried out. Ensure the pot has drainage holes, since pothos prefers well-draining soil and dislikes having wet roots. Lemon Meringue pothos is not a heavy feeder and does not require frequent fertilization. Feed plants monthly from spring through early fall with a balanced indoor houseplant fertilizer (carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
If your Lemon Meringue pothos develops yellow or brown leaves that separate easily from the plant, or if the potting soil emits a foul odor, it is a sign of overwatering - allow the soil to thoroughly dry out and reduce the frequency of your watering. If you notice crispy brown and yellow leaves or dusty and dry potting soil, it’s a sign of underwatering - water the plant generously until the soil is uniformly moist and excess water drains from the bottom of the pot, and increase the frequency of your watering sessions. Pothos are resilient, forgiving plants but they still need watering, care and attention - aim for a thorough watering every 1-2 weeks.
If you are unsure of when to water your Lemon Meringue pothos plant, consider using a moisture meter. A moisture meter is a handy gardening tool designed to gauge the moisture content in the soil of potted plants or outdoor garden beds. It typically consists of a probe that is inserted into the soil, with a meter that indicates the level of moisture present. This information helps you to determine when it's time to water and can help to prevent overwatering or underwatering.
Is Lemon Meringue Pothos Rare?
The Cuddly Cactus has no spines, making repotting a simpler endeavor.
Lemon Meringue pothos is new to the market, and as with all new and popular plants, many people are searching for it, making it potentially hard to find. The initial surge in demand can make it difficult to locate this particular variety. However, as the excitement around Lemon Meringue pothos gradually subsides, it will likely become easier to find in stores and online.
The plant is sold exclusively by Costa Farms, a large houseplant grower known for supplying significant quantities of plants to big box stores and through online sales. Costa Farms has a reputation for distributing high-quality plants, and they have the exclusive patent rights to this particular pothos variety. As a result, you will find Lemon Meringue pothos primarily through retailers that carry Costa Farms products.
If you are eager to add a Lemon Meringue pothos to your collection and cannot find it anywhere, try asking at big box stores about the days when plant shipments arrive. Knowing the shipment schedule can increase your chances of finding this sought-after plant. Persistence and timing might be key, and with some patience, you will likely see it available more frequently as time goes on.
It’s important to note that Lemon Meringue pothos is a patented plant and is only available through Costa Farms. Therefore, it is crucial to purchase from retailers that sell Costa Farms products and avoid buying cuttings from Etsy or other resellers. Selling cuttings of patented plants is illegal, so always ensure you are sourcing your plants from legitimate and authorized sellers. Learn more about how plant patents work on the USPTO’s website.
Lemon Meringue Vs. Global Green and Other Types of Pothos
Lemon Meringue Pothos: Lemon Meringue pothos is a new variety, with irregularly variegated leaves featuring green centers and pale green to lemon yellow edges. In bright light, some leaves may develop cream edges; in low light, the variegation will not be as obvious. Plant Patent USPP34,521.
Global Green Pothos: Global Green pothos is another distinct variety characterized by its deep green leaves with subtle, light green variegation. The variegation pattern is more understated compared to Lemon Meringue, with no shades of yellow appearing on the leaves. Plant Patent PP33,530.
Golden Pothos : Perhaps the most popular type of pothos plant, recognized for its green leaves streaked with gold, yellow and cream. The leaves of golden pothos have a distinct, striated pattern, while the leaves of Lemon Meringue have more irregular streaks and splotches of color.
Emerald Pothos: A rare and unusual pothos that can be difficult to find, with green-on-green variegation. The leaves of Emerald pothos will not show any pale or lemon yellow color when grown in bright light.
Lizard Queen: A collector’s favorite with golden yellow and green colored leaves. The leaves have a more rounded shape than Lemon Meringue.
This Lemon Meringue pothos leaf has developed a cream-colored variegation.
How Big Does a Lemon Meringue Pothos Get?
A Lemon Meringue pothos can grow quite vigorously under the right conditions. Indoors, the plant grows 6-12 inches tall with cascading vines that can reach lengths of 6 - 10 feet or more if allowed to trail or climb. The heart-shaped leaves of the Lemon Meringue pothos will grow larger if the plant is provided with ample light and space to climb vertically, with individual leaves potentially reaching 4 to 6 inches in length.
How and When to Repot a Lemon Meringue Pothos
A Lemon Meringue pothos plant typically needs repotting every 1 to 3 years, or when the plant shows signs of being root-bound. Indicators that it’s time to repot include roots growing out of drainage holes, or the plant drying out very quickly after a thorough watering. Pothos can be repotted at any time during the year.
How to Repot:
Choose a New Pot: Select a pot that is 2 inches larger in diameter than the current one and ensure that it has drainage holes.
Prepare the Plant: Water the plant a day before repotting to make it easier to remove from the pot and reduce stress.
Remove the Plant: Gently tip the pot sideways and tap the bottom to loosen the roots. Carefully slide the pothos out, supporting the base of the plant.
Add Fresh Soil: Place a layer of fresh, all purpose potting mix at the bottom of the new pot. Position the plant in the center and fill in around it with more potting mix, ensuring the roots are well-covered and the plant is at the same soil level as before.
Settle the Soil: Gently press the soil down to eliminate air pockets, but take care to avoid compacting it too much. Water the plant thoroughly to help settle the soil.
Aftercare: Place the repotted pothos in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can stress the plant during its recovery. Water it when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry, and resume regular care.
Looking for a professional Zoom background idea? The Lemon Meringue pothos is an eye-catching plant!
Is Lemon Meringue Pothos Poisonous to Cats and Dogs?
Yes, the Lemon Meringue pothos, like all types of pothos, is poisonous to both cats and dogs. The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause discomfort and potential health issues if ingested by pets. Symptoms of pothos poisoning in cats and dogs include oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue.
If you suspect your pet has ingested pothos, it's important to contact your veterinarian immediately for advice and potential treatment. To prevent accidental ingestion, consider placing pothos plants in locations that are out of reach of your pets, such as on high shelves or in hanging planters. If you have cats that will jump on top of high shelves to nibble at your plants, consider growing a non-toxic trailing plant like Hoya carnosa.
Learn more about plants poisonous to dogs and cats in “Which Plants are Toxic to Dogs?” and “Does your Cat Eat your Houseplants?”.