Epipremnum Pinnatum Yellow Flame 6” totem

Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Yellow Flame’

This striking variegated form is grown for elongated green leaves streaked and marbled with yellow, gold and lime-green coloring. Each leaf can develop a different balance and pattern of color, creating the flame-like appearance behind its trade name. The species is native across tropical and subtropical Asia into the Pacific, where it grows as a climbing aroid in tropical forests. The exact origin of the ‘Yellow Flame’ selection is not well documented, but its combination of golden variegation and dramatic mature foliage has made it a highly collectible form.

This is a true climber. Juvenile leaves begin relatively narrow and entire, but the plant changes considerably when given the opportunity to grow upward. A moss pole, plank or other vertical support allows aerial roots to attach and encourages increasingly larger foliage. As it matures, the leaves can develop deep splits along their margins, creating a dramatically different appearance from the juvenile plant. When grown trailing rather than climbing, the foliage generally remains smaller and more juvenile.

For natural light, start approximately 1–3 feet from an east-facing window or 2–4 feet from a west-facing window. Aim for approximately 800–1,500 foot-candles at the leaves. Foot-candles simply tell you how much light is actually reaching your plant. Useful light supports strong growth and increasingly substantial foliage. Too little light can result in longer spaces between leaves, smaller new growth and a vine that stretches toward its light source. Window direction and distance are starting points because trees, overhangs, screens, glass, window size and season can change the actual intensity reaching the foliage.

Under grow lights, use a 5000–6500K full-spectrum grow light approximately 8–12 inches above the top of the canopy as a starting point, aiming for approximately 800–1,500 foot-candles at the leaves. Kelvin tells you the color of the light, while foot-candles tell you how much light is actually reaching the plant. As the vine climbs, move the fixture with the growing canopy so the newest leaves remain within the useful light zone. Light supports the plant’s ability to grow its variegated foliage, but increasing light does not create or guarantee additional yellow variegation.

Water when your plant needs watered. Allow the root zone to use a good portion of its available moisture before watering thoroughly again. An airy, well-draining aroid mix provides both moisture and oxygen around the roots and allows a thorough watering without leaving the root zone saturated for long periods. As the plant develops a larger root system and more foliage, it can begin using water more quickly, so its watering needs will change as it matures.

Read the vine as it develops. Increasingly long spaces between leaves, smaller successive foliage or a vine reaching strongly toward its light source are reasons to check the amount of useful light it is receiving. Aerial roots developing along the stem are normal and can be directed into the support. Variegation can change considerably from one leaf to the next, so the amount of yellow on a single leaf is not a reliable measure of the plant’s overall health.

Success looks like an actively climbing vine with sturdy growth, aerial roots attaching to its support and successive leaves becoming increasingly substantial. As it matures, the transition from narrow juvenile foliage into larger, deeply divided leaves is one of the most dramatic features of this plant. Strong attachment, increasing leaf size, tighter growth and continued progression toward mature leaf shape are excellent signs that it is growing well.