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Pothos longipes

candle vine

Araceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–12

Overview

Pothos longipes is an evergreen root-climbing vine in the Araceae family that clings to tree trunks and rocks with short aerial roots, climbing 10-30 feet (3-9 m) high. The glossy dark green leaves are 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, lance-shaped, and carried on a flattened winged stalk nearly as long as the blade, so the stalk resembles part of the leaf. The plant climbs by pressing flattened stems against bark, often forming a thin shingle-like layer. Small flowers are packed on a short spadix 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) long enclosed by a green to yellowish spathe, appearing mainly in spring and summer. Orange to red berries follow on the spadix. Growth is slow to moderate and depends on a host surface to climb. The vine needs warmth and humidity and is damaged by frost, limiting outdoor use to frost-free climates.

Native Range

Native to eastern Australia, from Cape York in Queensland south to coastal New South Wales. Grows in rainforest and moist sheltered gullies, climbing tree trunks and rock faces in warm, humid, shaded conditions.

Suggested Uses

Grown on tree trunks, posts, and moss poles in frost-free gardens, and as a climbing houseplant or greenhouse plant in cooler regions. Used in shaded, humid courtyards and fernhouses. The need for a host surface and warmth limits its use in open, exposed positions.

How to Identify

Recognized by the flattened winged leaf stalk that is nearly as long as the lance-shaped glossy blade, giving the impression of two leaf segments end to end. Short aerial roots attach the stems flat against bark or rock. The short spadix enclosed in a green to yellow spathe is typical of the arum family, and orange to red berries follow.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 30'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers mainly in spring and summer, roughly September to February in its native range. The small flowers on the spadix are partly hidden by the spathe and last 1-2 weeks. Berries ripen to orange and red over the following months.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

green to yellow

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to full shade with warmth, humidity, and a tree trunk, post, or moss pole to climb. The root zone is kept moist but not waterlogged; the foliage browns in dry air and dry soil. Frost damages the stems and leaves, so outdoor growth is limited to frost-free, subtropical to tropical climates. Indoors or in a greenhouse it grows on a moss pole in a humid spot out of direct sun. Scale insects and mealybugs can build up on the stems in still, warm air.

Pruning

Trim climbing stems to control length and remove damaged or detached growth at any time of year. Cutting just above a node brings on branching along the stem. The vine resprouts readily from cut stems in warm conditions.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer