Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La (Shangri-La pothos) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Bright, indirect light keeps the cupped leaves green and well-formed. It tolerates medium light but grows slowly and the curling can become more pronounced. Avoid direct sun, which scorches foliage. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering epipremnum aureum shangri-la: when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Because the curled leaves can mask early wilting, check the soil rather than the foliage. Water thoroughly, then let the top few centimetres dry. It is sensitive to overwatering, so err on the dry side in winter.

Soil and pot

Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La grows best in well-draining aroid or houseplant mix. Use a chunky, airy blend of potting soil with perlite and bark or coir. Sharp drainage prevents the root rot this slow grower is prone to. A pot with drainage holes is essential. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 18-29°C (65-85°F). Handles average household humidity. Levels above 50% support steadier growth, but no misting is needed; a pebble tray or humidifier helps in dry conditions. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed epipremnum aureum shangri-la sparingly. Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength. Stop feeding in autumn and winter when growth pauses. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on epipremnum aureum shangri-la in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Excessive leaf curling — Some curl is the cultivar's signature, but extreme tight curling can signal underwatering, low humidity or root stress; check soil moisture and roots.
• Slow growth — Shangri-La is naturally slow; low light makes it slower still. A brighter indirect position helps.
• Root rot — Its compact roots are easily kept too wet; ensure fast-draining soil and let the surface dry between waterings.
• Browning leaves — Usually inconsistent watering or low humidity; keep moisture even and increase ambient humidity.

Propagation

Propagate from nodal stem cuttings in water or moist soil. Rooting is reliable but slower than standard pothos; expect 3-5 weeks. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists pothos (Epipremnum aureum) as toxic to cats and dogs. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth and lips, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing if chewed. Keep away from pets. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La deep-dive guides

Every aspect of epipremnum aureum shangri-la care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La watering schedule
• Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La light requirements
• Best soil mix for epipremnum aureum shangri-la
• Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La fertilizing guide
• When to repot epipremnum aureum shangri-la
• How to propagate epipremnum aureum shangri-la
• Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La growth rate & size
• Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La cold hardiness
• Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La temperature & humidity
• Is epipremnum aureum shangri-la toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is epipremnum aureum shangri-la toxic to cats?
• Is epipremnum aureum shangri-la toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La qualifies for 3 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best trailing & climbing houseplants — Vining and trailing houseplants for shelves, hanging pots, and moss poles — selected by growth habit.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Epipremnum Aureum Shangri-La is also commonly called Shangri-La pothos or Sleeping pothos.

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