Epipremnum pinnatum
A fast-growing tropical climber whose leaves become fenestrated with maturation, suitable for hanging baskets or trellises and thriving in warm, humid conditions with medium to bright indirect light.
Common Names
Dragon Tail Plant, Centipede Tongavine, Dragon Tail, Silver Vine, Cebu Blue Pothos, Pothos
Summary
Dragon Tail plant is a tropical climbing vine native to Southeast Asia forests. Juvenile leaves are simple, but mature leaves develop fenestrations that resemble a dragon's tail, with glossy dark green surfaces and lighter undersides. It climbs with aerial roots and can be trained on a moss pole or trellis or allowed to trail in a hanging basket; indoors it typically reaches about 3–6 ft, while outdoors in warm climates it can grow much longer.
Prefers bright indirect light and tolerates lower light, thriving in temperatures around 65–85°F with humidity about 50–60%. Use a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil mix; water thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries and avoid waterlogging; fertilize monthly during the growing season. Propagation is via stem cuttings with at least one node, with roots forming in 2–4 weeks; pruning helps control size and encourage bushier growth. Training on supports is encouraged for larger leaf fenestrations; common pests include spider mites and mealybugs; the plant is toxic to humans and pets if ingested; suitable for indoor use and for container cultivation in USDA zones 10–11.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-6 feet
Spread
3-8 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial sun or partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining, rich soil with organic matter, slightly acidic, suitable for aroids/tropical houseplant mixes or standard potting mixes with perlite and orchid bark, coco coir, or peat moss
Soil Drainage
Well-draining soil that holds moisture.
Soil pH
6.0-6.5, Slightly acidic
Bloom Color
Spathe exterior dull yellow to mid-green, interior dull yellow (sometimes white), spadix white
Bloom Time
Does not bloom.
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green, golden yellow, golden variegation, white-marbled, silver-green
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Fast-growing
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Air layering
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts none
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (L.) Engl.
- Publication
- Pflanzenr. , IV, 23B: 60 (1908)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Alismatales
- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Epipremnum
Synonyms
Monstera caudata Monstera pinnata Philodendron dilaceratum Philodendron nechodomae Pothos caudatus Pothos decursivus Pothos pinnatifidus Pothos pinnatus Rhaphidophora caudata Rhaphidophora crassifolia Rhaphidophora dilacerata Rhaphidophora formosana Rhaphidophora laciniata Rhaphidophora lovellae Rhaphidophora merrillii Rhaphidophora neocaledonica Rhaphidophora pinnata Rhaphidophora pinnatifida Rhaphidophora vitiensis Rhaphidophora wallichii Scindapsus bipinnatifidus Scindapsus caudatus Scindapsus dilaceratus Scindapsus forsteri Scindapsus pinnatifidus Scindapsus pinnatus Tornelia dilacerata Epipremnum elegans f. ternatensis Epipremnum angustilobum Epipremnum crassifolium Epipremnum elegans Epipremnum formosanum Epipremnum glaucicephalum Epipremnum merrillii Epipremnum mirabile Epipremnum mirabile f. multisectum Epipremnum pinnatum f. multisectum Epipremnum robinsonii Rhaphidophora pertusa var. vitiensis Philodendron pinnatum Epipremnum glaucicephalum Monstera dilacerata Polypodium laciniatum Rhaphidophora cunninghamii Rhaphidophora rosenburghii Scindapsus decursivus Epipremnum mirabile f. eperforatum