Dr. Jake Henny received approval for a new Pothos hybrid when he attended the IFAS Cultivar Release Committee meeting in Gainesville on November 12, 2008.

Pothos ‘Pearls and Jade’

Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as Pothos, are among the most popular and durable interior foliage crops. Common commercial cultivars include golden pothos (green leaves with yellow variegation), marble queen (green leaves with white variegation), jade (solid green leaves), and neon ( solid chartreuse leaves). They are grown for totems, hanging baskets, ground covers, dish gardens, and small containerized desk plants. Pothos plants do not flower under greenhouse or interior environments and seldom flower even within the native habit in the South Pacific. Because of the commercial importance of this crop and the difficulty in its hybridization, Pothos ‘Pearls and Jade’ is a mutation selection from a group of Pothos ‘Marble Queen’ plants.

Pothos ‘Pearls and Jade’ is a small, compact plant compared to other Pothos cultivars. Mature leaves from ‘Pearls and Jade’ reach an average of 2 – 2 ½  inches wide (4-5 cm) by 3-4 inches long (7-8 cm) compared to 3 ½ inches wide (8 cm) by 5 inches long (12 cm) on the parent ‘Marble Queen’.  ‘Pearls and Jade’ leaf colors include blotches, streaks and islands of green, grayed-green and white. Each leaf varies slightly, but the overall effect is a pleasing, uniform variegated appearance.
In MREC growth studies, Pothos ‘Pearls and Jade’ performed well. Overall plant quality averaged between good and excellent.  Plants evaluated in interiorscape conditions for 3 months exhibited no loss of foliar coloration or decrease in quality.

Pothos ‘Pearls and Jade’ is intended for commercial producers growing finished ornamental tropical foliage plants. Trademark and Plant Patent Rights issued through the United States Patent and Trademark Office will be assigned to the University of Florida, Board of Trustees.  Stock plants will be released to licensed Florida growers for propagation and distribution.  Inquiries regarding licensing may be sent to Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., P.O. Box 110200, Gainesville, FL 32611.