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melissa_apolinario52

Pothos Marble Queen question

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Hi! I just brought a Marble Queen pothos home and noticed that one of the leaves has these 2 tiny holes, and a few others have these linear almost tear-like holes as well. This is my first pothos so I was wondering if it's common for nature leaves to have these types of injuries, if I have pests, or if it's an injury from when it was still rolled up. I always use those safers sticky traps in all my plants to catch anything just in case they do have pests, but as of now all my plants are thriving and I haven't seen anything concerning except for this pothos. I also use a neem oil mixed spray as a preventative measure. Soon I'll have to repot this pothos once it's acclimated, as I can see a couple of roots poking out of the drainage holes. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance 😊

Comments (7)

  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Sorry, I don't know but those 2 Holes in the first pic look man made, maybe puncture from some kind of trellis?

    2nd pix looks like mechanical damage. 3rd pic, I don't know.

    Can I pls suggest you're overdoing it w/the chemicals?

    To use both the sticky traps in EVERYTHING as you said & Neem is likely too much & MAY be damaging to the plants. Also, this isn't a plant that is particularly bug prone.

    I hear you say the rest of the plants are thriving. But honestly, I don't know.

  • 6 years ago

    Sorry to clarify, I only use the sticky straps for the first week or so of bringing one home to ensure I didn't buy a plant that already had pests in it. I stick with local nurseries as opposed to big box corporations, but you just never know!
    I brought the pothos home with the holes/linear tears already there, so I don't think it's my neem prevention treatment. Good to know they aren't particularly prone to pests. I do see it has several new leaves unravelling so I supposed I'll wait and see! Thanks for your reply 😊

  • 6 years ago

    Do you isolate your plants for the first 2-3 wks after purchase? Like it another room all by itself?

    That's the way to do it, not all those chemicals. That's what long time plant folks do, prevention by isolation from rest of the collection.

    Also reading up on the plants BEFORE purchase, example: Ivies are know to be bug magnets, so I'd never try to grow one Indoors for that reason.

  • 6 years ago

    I do isolate them in a separate room yes. I try to do as much research as I can, and I generally stick to indoor plants that are relatively easy to care for. As I mentioned previously, I do remove the sticky traps. I've done this routine for the past year and a half, and all 15 of my houseplants are doing very well (except for these unknown tears on the marble queen which already existed upon purchase).

    Despite isolating new plants, pests can still come in from outside at any time. I've done lots of research on Neem oil, and use high quality cold-pressed organic neem in a homemade spray. I've read several plant blogs, care guides and watched many well-known vloggers (video bloggers) endorsing diluted neem's safety for indoor plants as both pest treatment, and as a preventative every 2 weeks. As I mentioned before, I've never had an issue with any of my plants. To each their own! Everyone has their own little maintenance tricks and preferences. Thanks for your insight :)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Sorry I have no further suggestions. I only answered 'cause no one else had.

    I do read carefully, you needn't repeat things a 2nd time thanks. Maybe some of these folks are PAID for their endorsements, who can say?

    Also, not all online plant guides, video bloggers or YouTubers are necessarily accurate or truthful, but to each his own.

    I grow indoors only, for about 30 yrs here am down to about 80 plants now, but I don't have these problems. Have never used Neem nor needed any of these things.

    Sorry & best of luck.

  • 6 years ago

    Wow 80! That's amazing. I don't have any problems - it's just those tears which again were there at the time of purchase.

    Right now we're in a condo, but now that I'm working as a nurse full-time we're looking to buy our first home within the next year or so! Hopefully one day I can have as large a collection as yours.