Are you in search of a Pothos plant to adorn your home? You may want to consider the Manjula variety!
The Manjula pothos is an easy-to-grow plant for beginners. It requires little maintenance, and it’s effective for cleaning the air.
In this article, I’ll teach you how to care for your Manjula pothos. We’ll cover the basic requirements and discuss how to propagate this rare plant.
Let’s jump in!
Manjula Pothos Origin
Despite being toxic to pets, pothos are one of the most widespread houseplants throughout the world. These beloved plants have many varieties, but there’s one type rarer than others.
The Manjula pothos, also known as the happy leaf pothos, received its patent in 2010 through the University of Florida.
Its creator, Ashish Arvind Hansoti, used cuttings from over 1,000 naturally occurring plant mutations. It took him several years of work to come up with the Manjula variety!
Today, you can find the Manjula pothos among some plant collections.
What Sets the Manjula Pothos Apart
Fun fact. Manjula is a popular Indian name for girls. It means melodious, lovable, and beautiful like the spring.
The plant certainly lives up to its name!
It has creamy white leaves with light and dark green variegation. My favorite detail about the Manjula pothos is its heart-shaped leaves that swirl and wave into stunning foliage.
Because of this, having this plant in your home adds elegance and elevates your space!
How to Care for Manjula Pothos
These are the basic requirements for Manjula pothos plants!
1. Water
To know when it’s time for watering, check the upper two to three inches of soil with your finger. If it’s dry, you can use top and bottom watering methods to thoroughly soak the potting mix.
The usual watering interval for pothos plants is every one to two weeks depending on environmental conditions.
Manjulas absorb air through their roots, and overwatering could drown them. On top of this, make sure to avoid using chlorinated water as it can kill beneficial bacteria in the soil.
Don’t worry. Manjula plants are forgiving and they bounce back if you miss your watering schedule!
2. Light
Manjula pothos love indirect sunlight, which makes them perfect for indoor gardening!
The best spot for these plants is on east-facing window sills with access to the morning sun. if you don’t have windows, you may use artificial lighting.
However, if you grow them outdoors, make sure they’re under a partial shade.
Common signs that your Manjula plant is receiving too much light are decreased variegation and browning. If the leaves are losing the white patterns, it’s an indication you should decrease sun exposure.
3. Soil
Manjula plants need loamy but well-draining soil. The growing medium must be loose enough that air can get to the plant’s roots. Yet, there should be enough water retention capabilities.
There are many ways to mix the soil. An easy way is to use a 2:1 ratio of perlite and peat moss mixed into regular garden soil. You may also use equal portions of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
Moreover, remember to check and adjust the pH of the growing medium. Manjula pothos plants prefer a slightly acidic environment of pH 6.5.
4. Fertilization
Manjula pothos don’t need much fertilizer as they can get most nutrients from the soil. Nevertheless, if you want to boost the growth, you may use any liquid fertilizer once a month.
Of course, you should always follow package instructions to prevent over-fertilizing your pothos. Leaf scorch happens when you use too much fertilizer and could result in browning and falling leaves!
5. Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical plant, Manjula pothos prefer a warm environment of 70 to 90°F at 60 to 90% humidity. However, they can survive at 50°F in normal room humidity as well.
Do note that low temperatures stunt the growth of these plants, and you should make adjustments to the room if you want them to get bigger.
Avoid placing them near air vents if possible. Excess airflow can cause the soil and plants to dry out!
6. Pruning
Selectively pruning vining plants like the Manjula pothos is vital for preventing legginess. Cutting at the nodes results in fuller leaves and redirects nutrients toward new growth.
To help your Manjula pothos flourish, you may cut the plant back up to two inches from the soil line. It’s best to do it during the growing season from late spring to early fall.
Lastly, pruning is a great way to remove sick stems and avoid the spread of infestation. You may also propagate healthy pruned branches!
Manjula Pothos Propagation: A Step-By-Step Guide
Manjula pothos plant growth booms during the spring and summer, and you may want to take this opportunity to begin propagation.
Propagating in Water
Water propagation is a low-cost method to develop new roots quickly. Here’s how to do it.
- First, sterilize your garden shears using 70% rubbing alcohol.
- Next, identify the proper place to cut. Each stem should have three to four nodes.
- Once you have the cuttings, remove all the bottom leaves to prevent them from rotting in water. Leave only two leaves at the top.
- Submerge the cuttings in water and change the liquid once a week. The Manjula’s roots should develop within a few weeks.
- When the roots are three inches long, you can transplant the stems into fresh soil. Keep the soil thoroughly moist for the first week to help your Manjula pothos adjust!
Propagating in Sphagnum Moss
Sphagnum moss propagation takes longer, but it has the potential to make better root systems. This is because they provide just the right amount of moisture to cuttings.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to sphagnum propagation.
- Start by soaking the sphagnum moss in water for at least 30 minutes before you make the cuttings.
- After soaking, remove the moss from the liquid and place it in a glass jar.
- Next, sterilize your garden shears.
- Cut the stems ensuring there are three to four nodes on each branch, and remove all the bottom leaves.
- Gently bury the base of your cuttings into the sphagnum moss.
- Place your Manjula pothos cuttings in an area with adequate light, and moisten the moss with a sprayer daily.
- After a few weeks, you may transfer the pothos into a pot with fresh soil!
Manjula Pothos Diseases to Look Out For
If you spot an issue with your Manjula pothos, you must take action immediately. Here are the common diseases of this plant.
- Root Rot: Root rot causes the Manjula leaves to turn brown and slimy. You must throw the infected plant out and treat the remaining ones with a fungicide.
- Bacterial Wilt Disease: This disease prevents cuttings from developing roots, and they turn yellow. When this happens, you must sterilize your tools and throw infected plants and soil out.
- Southern Blight: Southern blight appears as white, feathery strands of fungus on Manjulas. Discard infected soil and pots and treat your plants with fungicide.
- Aerial Blight: This disease appears as matted leaves with dark spots. After discarding affected plants, sanitize the environment and use fungicide if needed.
Conclusion
Manjulas are the jewels of the Pothos world. Their unique foliages can bring a look of elegance to your home.
The best part about these plants is they’re easy to care for and propagate. Because of this, they’re ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
You may encounter some challenges, but fortunately, all you have to do is follow our guide. With the proper water, soil, light, and pruning, you can enjoy your Manjula pothos for years to come!
