If you’ve noticed holes appearing in your pothos leaves, don’t panic. Yea they’re tough, but they can still have problems.
I’ve spent years growing pothos have had to solve this exact problem. So I’ll help you figure out what’s eating your plant and how to fix it.
The tricky part about leaf holes is that they can come from several different sources. It could be insects, fungus issues, physical damage and more.
But there is good news. Once you know what you’re looking at most causes are pretty straightforward to fix.
Leaf Miners
Have you found some trails on the leaves of your pothos that eventually turn into holes? That’s almost certainly leaf miners.
These are tiny flies and they lay their egged inside the leaves. When they hatch the larvae make those tunnels as they eat through the leaves.
Catching leaf miners quickly is going to make dealing with them much easier. So keep an eye out for the trails they leave behind before they get the chance to start making holes in your leaves.
Spraying the leaves with neem oil once a week is usually good enough. Focus on the undersides of the leaves though as that’s where a lot of the adult flies often are.
If you’re seeing a lot of damage then try trimming off the worst affected leaves. This will stop the larvae from having the chance to finish their lifecycle.
Slugs and Snails
If the holes you’re seeing have tagged edges to them and there are trail of shiny silver all over the leaves then it’s probably slugs or snails.
They will take any advantage they can to chomp on some lovely pothos leaves. They’re very active when it’s rained or is wet so if your pothos is outdoors or in a humid bathroom be extra vigilant with checking for them.
To get rid of them try sprinkling some diatomaceous earth around your plants. It makes a barrier that slugs and snails won’t cross.
Or you can try the classic gardener’s trick: put out a shallow dish of beer. That may sound strange but slugs can’t resist it and they’ll always choose the beer instead of a plant. Just replace it with fresh beef every few days.
Caterpillar Damage
If the holes are larger and more like big chunks removed from the leaves then it’s probably caterpillars. Even more so if you see black droppings too.
Caterpillars can be a real nuisance as I. just one night they can cause serious amounts of damage. That damage will look a bit like someone took tiny bites out of the leaves.
Use a flashlight at night (as that’s when caterpillars are most active) so you can check to see if your plant has any. They’re pretty easy to pick off by hand, and yes you can use gloves to do it if you’re too squeamish to touch them! Or alternatively use a natural bacterial spray called Bt that is designed to target to caterpillars without affecting your plant or other insects.
Fungus
A brown spot that starts off small can turn into a much larger hole. And if that’s the case then it’s probably down to a fungal disease.
This usually happens when your pothos leaves stay wet for too long. Even more likely if the water sits on the leaves overnight.
Thankfully the fix is simple: just make sure you’re watering the soil and not getting water in the leaves. If your pothis is somewhere that’s very humid (like a bathroom) then using a fan can help with the air flow.
If you e already got a fungal spot then using a fungicide made from copper can help to stop it spreading.
Accidental Damage
Holes don’t have to come from only pests or diseases. Sometimes it can be something as innocuous as general life damaging the leaves.
Think about things like whether any of your pets could have causes the holes. Or maybe you’ve accidentally bumped into it when you were cleaning.
You can tell these holes apart from ones caused by pests as they usually have cleaner edges and will appear suddenly rather than developing over time.
It’s the same for environmental stress too. If your pothos is getting blasted with direct sun or sitting in a draft that will make the leaves weaker and more likely to get damaged.
You can simply solve this by moving it to a sort that gets bright indirect light and isn’t near to heating/cooling vents and curious pets.
A good way to work out what a pothos needs is by thinking about how it would grow in nature. It would be under larger plants and tress and protected from the harsher elements. Give it that in your home.
Nutrient Deficiency
It might not be obvious but sometimes the holes you’re finding are caused by your pothos being hungry. Pothos need nutrients to build strong leaves
When it doesn’t get those nutrients – especially boron – the leaves will become weaker and even brittle. It’s this that a makes them more likely to tear or get holes.
Look out for leaves that are looking distorted or yellow between the veins. The most likely cause of this is the soil being old and the nutrients having been used up.
The fix isn’t difficult but you’ll want to be smart about it. So begin with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength and give it to your pothos every few weeks in the summer and spring.
If you’re having major issues then use a soil testing kit from your local garden center. They’re cheap and will tell you exactly what your plant is missing.
Handling Environmental Stressors
The environment can upset your pothtos too. When it gets stressed by too much heat, or dryness etc. it can weaken the leaves and cause damage which will lead to holes.
The most common environmental issues are:
- Low humidity making the leaves crispy and weak
- Too much sun burning the leaves
- Cold drafts causing shock
- Sudden temperature changes that stress the plant
It’s not difficult to improve your pothos environment. Just focus on the basics: keep your pothos away from heating and air conditioning vents, put it somewhere that gets bright but indirect light, and if your home is dry (especially in the winter), try grouping it with other plants or putting a pebble tray with water near to it.
If you get it right your pothos will tell you by looking perkier and having much healthier, shiny looking leaves.
Troubleshooting Chart: Quick Diagnosis and Action Plan
Use this table to identify and fix the issues causing holes in your pothos leaves:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Trails and small holes | Leaf miners | Apply neem oil and introduce some beneficial insects. |
| Ragged holes and slime trails | Slugs/snails | Handpick them at night; use traps or barriers. |
| Large, uneven holes | Caterpillars | Look for larvae; use Bacillus thuringiensis. |
| Dark spots turning into holes | Fungal infections | Don’t water from overhead; use copper fungicides. |
| Clean, sharp edged holes | Physical damage | Move the plant. |
| Distorted leaves with holes | Lack of nutrients (boron) | Use a fertilizer; test the soil regularly. |
| Brown edges and thin holes | Environmental stress | Change the humidity and light conditions. |
Tips for Pothos Longevity
If you want to keep your pothos free from holes and doing well these tips can help.
Pest Deterrents Without Chemicals
- Companion Plants:
Pair your pothos with plants that keep pests away like marigolds or basil. - Essential Oils:
Spraying a diluted mix of eucalyptus or peppermint oil is also a natural way to keep away lots of pests.
Boosting Plant Immunity
- Seaweed Extracts:
Use liquid seaweed as a foliar spray as it can strengthen the defenses of your pothos. - Healthy Soil Practices:
Regularly use compost or manure added to the soil to keep it high in nutrients.
Environmental Adjustments
- Rotation:
Rotate your pothos every few weeks so every side gets equal amounts of light, and then it won’t grow unevenly. - Seasonal Adjustments:
Don’t water as much in winter so you match the plant’s slower growth.
Why Holes in Leaves Aren’t Always a Disaster
Not every hole in a pothos leaf is a sign of major problems. Sometimes a small imperfection is just part of how your plant is going to grow.
- Aging Leaves:
Older leaves naturally wear out over time. As long as any new growth is healthy, you can be confident you’re on the right track. - Unpredictable Nature:
Plants are living things and will have their own quirks. A few holes here and there doesn’t stop them from being healthy.
Keeping Your Pothos Happy
As with most things to do with plants preventing the problems before they begin is the best way to protect them. A healthy plant is much better at fighting off pests and diseases.
So every time you water it give your pothos a quick check over. Look at the leaves for any signs of trouble. And wipe the leaves occasionally with a cloth to keep the dust off of them.
But most of all don’t forget that a few holes doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Even in their natural habitat pothos plants will get scratched and have a hole or two.
Just give them the right care – good light, watering consistently, proper humidity etc. and you shouldn’t have any real issues.