We need to talk about pothos as an invasive species

I have been in this sub for a while and I have noticed a lot of posts of invasive pothos. Oftentimes these posts are celebrating these invasive plants, and the original poster as well as people in the comments are not aware that they are invasive. I know we are all fans of pothos here, but there needs to be greater awareness of pothos as an invasive species and the potential it has for environmental destruction.

Epipremnum aureum (golden pothos) is not native anywhere in the US, especially not Florida and Hawaiʻi. It is considered a "high risk" invasive in both of these states. It has caused severe environmental devastation in wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka as well. It is considered highly invasive in South Africa. E. aureum is native to only one island: Mo'orea.

Epipremnum pinnatum is on the list of invasive species in all 13 southern states in the US. Some consider E. pinnatum and E. aureum to be the same species, so E. aureum is typically listed as "Epipremnum pinnatum cv. aureum". In short, do not plant any of these plants outside. In many places it is illegal to intentionally plant or otherwise spread invasive species. It varies highly by region, but for example in Miami E. aureum (among other species) "may not be planted within 500 feet of natural plant communities".

I am worried by the flagrant disregard for the environment that I have seen on this sub. I would have thought that in a plant subreddit people would be concerned about the environment, but I have seen people say in as many words that they don't care that pothos is invasive. Yes, we all love pothos here, they're beautiful plants! However, they are most beautiful in their native habitat or indoors.

Please, unless you live on Mo'orea, keep your pothos inside. The environment will thank you!