Let's be honest—if you're browsing houseplants in August, you're either avoiding the Kentish Town Lido queues, preparing for autumn's indoor hibernation, or you've just realised your flat looks a bit bare while everyone else is posting holiday photos. Whatever brought you here, Epipremnum (or Pothos, as most people call them) might be exactly what you need.
These trailing beauties from the Solomon Islands have earned their reputation as the ultimate starter houseplant, but that's selling them short. Yes, they'll survive your two-week holiday without a plant-sitter. Yes, they'll cope with that dark corner by the kitchen. But they're also properly gorgeous plants that can transform a boring bookshelf or sad bathroom into something that looks like it belongs on Instagram.
Why North London Flats Love Them
Walk into any converted Victorian flat around Tufnell Park or Archway and you'll probably spot a Pothos trailing from a shelf or hanging in a macramé planter. There's a reason for that. These plants actually thrive in the conditions that kill other houseplants—inconsistent watering, variable light, central heating, and the occasional neglect when life gets busy.
They're particularly brilliant for:
- North-facing windows that never get direct sun
- Bathrooms with tiny windows (they love the humidity from your shower)
- That shelf above the radiator where everything else crisps up
- Offices where the weekend watering schedule is "whoever remembers"
More Than Just Green
While the classic golden Pothos is everywhere (and for good reason), we've got varieties that'll make plant enthusiasts do a double-take:
- Marble Queen – Our current bestseller. White and green marbled leaves that look hand-painted. Slightly slower growing than the standard type but absolutely stunning. Needs a bit more light to keep the variegation strong.
- Neon – Acid green leaves that literally glow. Looks incredible against a dark wall or in a black pot. This one's having a moment on social media and we can see why.
- Golden/Aureum – The classic. Green leaves splashed with yellow. Grows like mad and impossible to kill. If you've never owned a houseplant before, start here.
- Tricolour – Green, cream, and yellow all on one leaf. It's a bit special, this one. Looks particularly good trailing from a high shelf where you can appreciate the pattern.
We've also got limited numbers of 'Global Green' (green-on-green variegation), 'Happy Leaf' (extra cheerful-looking), and the harder-to-find 'Cebu Blue' with its silvery-blue tinge. Plus we're expecting more varieties soon, including the coveted 'N'Joy' and some of the rarer types.
The Trail or Climb Debate
Here's something people don't always realise: Pothos can climb as well as trail. In nature, they scramble up trees, and when they climb, the leaves get bigger. Much bigger. Give them a moss pole or let them climb up a wall with little hooks, and those cute 10cm leaves can eventually reach dinner-plate size.
Most people let them trail because:
- It's easier (no moss pole faff)
- They look great cascading from shelves
- You can wrap them around curtain poles, picture frames, or along the top of bookcases
- They're easy to propagate when they get too long
Real Talk: Care Tips
- Light: They'll survive in surprisingly low light but grow faster with more. The variegated types need brighter spots to keep their patterns. That said, we've seen them thriving in basement flats, so don't worry too much. For more on this, check our care guide.
- Water: Wait until the top inch of soil is dry. In summer that might be weekly; in winter, could be fortnightly. Yellow leaves usually mean too much water. They'd rather be too dry than too wet.
- Humidity: They appreciate bathroom steam or kitchen humidity but honestly cope fine in normal rooms. If the leaf tips go brown, your flat might be very dry—try grouping plants together.
- Feeding: A splash of houseplant food once a month in the growing season (March-September) keeps them happy. Skip it in winter.
- Temperature: Normal room temperature is perfect. They sulk below 10°C, so keep them away from single-glazed windows in winter.
The Propagation Game
This is where Pothos get fun. Cut a stem below a node (the bumpy bit where leaves join), stick it in water, and watch roots appear within a week or two. It's addictive. Before you know it, you'll be that person giving everyone cuttings in old jam jars.
Pro tip: Change the water every few days to stop it going manky. Once roots are 2-3cm long, pot them up. Or leave them in water indefinitely—they don't mind. Check our propagation guide if you want to learn more.
Solving Pothos Problems
- Getting leggy with small leaves? – Needs more light. Move it closer to a window or under a grow light.
- Lost variegation? – Also needs more light. The plant reverts to green in dark spots because it's more efficient.
- Brown patches on leaves? – Usually sunburn from direct summer sun. They like bright indirect light, not full sun.
- Droopy despite moist soil? – Probably root rot from overwatering. Let it dry out completely, then water less frequently.
Where to Put Them
- Bathroom shelves – They love shower humidity
- Kitchen windowsills – But not above the hob
- Hanging planters – Macramé is back, embrace it
- Office desks – Proven to improve productivity (probably)
- Bedroom – Unlike some plants, they're fine in bedrooms
- That impossible corner – Seriously, they'll probably survive
Why August is Actually Perfect Timing
While everyone else is coming back from holiday to dead plants, yours will be thriving. Pothos put on good growth through summer and early autumn, so buying now means you'll see quick results. Plus, as the days get shorter and we all spend more time indoors, you'll appreciate having something green and alive in your space.
They also make brilliant gifts for students heading back to uni in September. Much better than another set of tea towels.
Find Your Perfect Pothos
Visit Boma to find your perfect Pothos. We've got a good selection right now, displayed near the till where you can see how the different varieties compare. Whether you want the classic golden type, the Instagram-worthy Marble Queen, or that electric Neon that nobody can ignore, we'll help you pick the right one.
We can also sort you out with the right pot (drainage holes are non-negotiable), appropriate soil, and moss poles if you're feeling ambitious. Our team has collectively killed and resurrected enough houseplants to give you honest advice about what'll work in your space.
Sometimes the best plants aren't the rare ones that need specialist care—they're the ones that'll still be thriving when you remember to water them three weeks later. That's the magic of Pothos. Unkillable, but still interesting enough to make you look like you know what you're doing.
