15 Tips to Help Your Pothos Plant Climb Like a Pro

Pothos plants are basically the best beginner plant. They’re adaptable, forgiving and look great.

They both trail naturally and climb really well, especially when you give them the right conditions.

But if you’re unsure of how to get them climbing or yours aren’t doing very well then this guide is for you. These tips will show you how to get your pothos growing and climbing vertically and make it stand out amongst other plants.

1. Pick the Perfect Climbing Support

In order to climb your pothos needs the right structure. These are some of
The best options and how to use them well:

Support Options

Tip: Coat a DIY support structure (like a wooden dowel or pipe) with coconut coir or jute as it will copy natural tree bark that pothos would naturally have grown up.

2. Position It Like a Pro

Where you place your Pothos is going to make a big difference to how successfully it climbs. Bright, indirect sunlight is important to get it growing well.

If you put it in a corner with very little light it could mean slower growth and smaller leaves.

• Good Placement: Near east facing windows or areas with filtered light.
• Avoid: South facing windows without curtains – direct sunlight burns the leaves.

Extra Tip: If you don’t have enough natural light then try using a grow light. Pothos quite like LED grow lights and they’re good options for homes without much light.

3. Getting the Right Watering Balance

What makes a pothos really thrive is how moist the soil is. Put your finger roughly an inch into your pothos soil and check if it’s dry. If so then you should water.

Watering Tips:

• Use lukewarm water so you don’t shock the roots.
• Empty any saucer under the pot so your plant doesn’t end up sitting in standing water.
• Change your routine during the winter when pothos grow slower.

Tip: Try using a self watering pot or use an olla (a terracotta watering vessel) so your plant is getting a steady level of moisture. This is especially helpful if you have a habit of over or underwatering.

4. Boost Humidity Levels

Pothos like a humid environment. If your home is dry then try:

• Grouping plants together as they post the humidity for one another.
• Put a pebble tray filled with water under the pot.
• Use a humidifier.

Uncommon Tip: Mist the moss pole or whichever support system you choose. This will encourage the aerial roots to cling better to it and to absorb moisture.

5. Feed It Right

Pothos don’t need a lot of feeding but when they’re growing fertilising regularly can make a big difference.

• Use a balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) diluted to half strength.
• Apply it every month during spring and summer but stop feeding in the fall and winter.

Advanced Tip: Try an organic banana peel “tea.” Soak some banana peels in water overnight and then the water which will have all the nutrients from the bananas to feed your pothos.

6. Pruning

Pruning a plant isn’t solely about how it looks. It actually signals to your plant that it can push out new growth. It’s that signal that encourages thicker leaves and vines.

• Cut right above a node (that’s where the leaf meets the stem).
• Use scissors or shears so you don’t get any infections.
• Don’t throw the cuttings away. Instead propagate them in water so you get new plants.

Tip: Pinch off new growth from the top as it will then send energy to the side shoots. This should make your pothos grow fuller and more bushy.

7. Secure with Gentle Ties

You use loose ties to guide the vines to grew up. They should be loose so they don’t strangle the stems.

• Twine or String: A budget friendly option. But you’ll have to regularly check to make sure they aren’t cutting into the stems.
• Velcro Plant Tape: Can be adjusted and reused.
• Soft Twist Ties: Best choice for beginners as they’re easy to use and yet gentle.

Tip: Use a figure of eight loop when you’re tying the stems. Doing so should keep your pothos secure but also allow it lots of room to grow.

8. Rotate for Balanced Growth

Plants naturally lean towards the source of light. So to keep your pothos climbing evenly:

• Rotate the pot about 90 degrees every 1 to 2 weeks.
• Keep watch of it its progress and change its position if you notice one side is growing faster.

9. Rehome It Periodically

Your ppthos will outgrow its pot every couple of years. You will know it’s time to repot it by:

• Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
• Growth slowing even when giving it the right care.
• Soil drying out too quickly after you’ve watered it.

Repotting Tips:

• Use a pot that’s around 1 to 2 inches bigger in diameter than the one it’s currently in.
• Refresh the soil with a mix that drains well (try things like peat, perlite or bark).
• Water fully after you’ve repotted so the soil settles.

10. Keep Pests in Check

Common pests like spider mites or mealybugs will slow down how fast your pothos grows if they get the chance. Stopping them in the fist place and early treatment are the best ways to deal with pests.

• Look at the undersides of the leaves every week.
• Wipe the leaves with a neem oil solution to stop pests.
• Quarantine any new plants before you bring them into your home or put them near your other plants.

11. Encourage Aerial Roots

The little mine you see along the stems of your pothos are the start of aerial roots. To activate them:

• Mist the roots a little every few days.
• Press the aerial roots against a moss pole or coir wrapped support.

Extra Tip: You can create a boost of humidity by wrapping damp sphagnum moss around the nodes. They will the anchor and root quicker.

12. Skip the Harsh Stuff

Fertilizers and cleaning solutions that contain a lot chemicals can damage pothos plants. It’s best to use natural alternatives when you can:

• Use diluted Castile soap to deal with pests.
• Rinse the leaves gently under lukewarm water instead of using sprays to shine the leaves.

13. Stabilize Temperatures

Pothos plants hate drafts. You want heir environment to say within the 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) range.

• Keep plants away from windowsills in the winter.
• Don’t put them anywhere near air conditioners or radiators.

Tip: Use a thermometer and humidity meter combo so you can monitor the conditions if you know the temperature in your home fluctuates.

14. Choose Soil Wisely

Regular garden soil isn’t going to be right for pothos. They do best in a mix that drains well but also holds on to moisture.

A good DIY mix:

• 1 part peat moss or coco coir.
• 1 part perlite or pumice.
• 1 part orchid bark.

Tip: Add a bit of charcoal to the soil mix. It helps to absorb any nasty impurities and also makes the air flow better.

15. Trust the Process

Getting a pothos to climb is always going to be slow. But if you take care and are patient you’ll eventually get there and see larger leaves and vines.

A Good Mindset: Don’t expect immediate results. Every time a node attaches to the support you’ve provided that’s a sign that your pothos is adapting to climbing.

A Climber’s Cheat Sheet

With these tips you should have everything you need to help your pothos really climb.