When your usually resilient pothos plant start showing signs of distress it can be worrying. Maybe you’ve noticed some yellowing leaves or its once perky vines are looking a bit droopy.
Don’t worry – catching these warning signs early means you can usually nurse your plant back to health with some simple adjustments to its care routine.
I’ll take you through the most common distress signals your pothos might be sending you. But more importantly I’ll show you how to help it bounce back to its usual vibrant self.
Yellowing Leaves
You might notice your pothos leaves turning yellow – it’s probably the first sign something’s not quite right. While it’s easy to panic yellowing leaves are your plant’s way of telling you it needs a care adjustment. Usually this happens when there’s either too much or too little water, or when your plant’s getting more sun than it bargained for.
What to Do
Take a moment to check the soil moisture. Stick your finger into the soil – if it feels wet and heavy, you’ve found your culprit. Pothos roots need to breathe and waterlogged soil suffocates them.
Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. However if the soil feels bone dry your plant’s telling you it’s thirsty. Give it a good drink making sure water flows from the drainage holes.
If watering isn’t the issue take a look at where your plant sits. Noticed those yellow leaves are facing a sunny window? Your pothos might be getting sunburned.
Try moving it back from the window or filtering that light through a sheer curtain. Remember pothos evolved to grow under the canopy of larger trees – they prefer bright, indirect light that mimics their natural habitat.
Wilting Stems
When your pothos starts to droop like it’s having a really rough day it’s often crying out for attention to its environment. Those typically perky stems might be wilting because they’re either parched or dealing with the plant equivalent of a sauna without enough humidity.
What to Do
First things first – let’s talk about your watering routine. Instead of sticking to a rigid schedule try to get to know your plant’s needs.
In summer you might need to water more often than in winter. A good rule of thumb? Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Use room temperature water – your plant will appreciate not being shocked by ice-cold water on its roots.
If your home runs dry (especially during heating season), your pothos might appreciate a humidity boost. You don’t need fancy equipment – grouping it with other plants creates a cozy and humid microclimate they’ll love.
Or try this simple trick: place your pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a bit of water, keeping the pot above the water line. As the water evaporates it’ll create a perfect little humid environment.
Brown Tips
Finding brown, crispy edges on your pothos leaves? Think of it as plant sunburn mixed with dehydration. Your plant might be telling you the air’s too dry or there’s a buildup of minerals in the soil from tap water.
What to Do
If you’re using tap water try letting it sit out overnight before watering. This helps dissipate chlorine and other chemicals that might be harsh on your plant. Even better is to collect rainwater or use filtered water if you notice white crusty buildup on your soil surface.
For those crispy tips: a light misting a few times a week can help but make sure you don’t go overboard. Too much moisture on the leaves can invite fungal problems.
Instead of misting you might want to rethink your plant’s location – is it near a heating vent or in a particularly dry spot? Sometimes a simple location change makes all the difference.
Stunted Growth
Have you noticed your pothos seems stuck in time and is t producing those lovely new leaves you’re used to seeing? Sometimes plants hit the pause button on growth when they’re not getting what they need.
This could be because they’re root-bound (imagine trying to grow while wearing shoes that are too tight), lacking light or simply running low on nutrients.
What to Do
Take a peek at the bottom of your pot – see roots peeking out of the drainage holes? That’s your cue to repot.
Choose a container just a couple of inches larger than the current one. Too big a pot can lead to overwatering issues so think modest upgrade rather than mansion-sized move.
For lighting pothos can tolerate lower light conditions but they won’t really thrive there. If your space is naturally dim then you might consider setting up a small grow light. They’re more affordable and user-friendly than ever these days. Your pothos will reward you with fuller and more vigorous growth.
Leaf Drop
When your pothos starts dropping leaves like it’s autumn indoors something is definitely up. This often happens when your plant’s dealing with a major change or uninvited guests (yes, we’re talking about pests).
What to Do
Take a close look at your plant, especially under the leaves and along the stems. See any tiny webs or cotton-like spots?
These could be spider mites or mealybugs making themselves at home. A simple solution of neem oil and water can help evict these unwanted residents. Just be sure to treat all parts of the plant, including stem joints where pests love to hide.
It could also be something as simple as moving your plant. Sometimes leaf drop is simply your plant’s reaction to that new environment.
Did you recently move it? Pothos can be a bit dramatic about changes but they usually adjust within a few weeks. Just keep its care consistent during the transition period.
Foul Soil
If your pothos pot smells like a swamp then thats definitely a bad sign. That smell usually means root rot has set in and you’ll need to act fast to save your plant.
Think of it like treating a case of athlete’s foot – you need to remove the affected parts and create an environment where the problem won’t return.
Here’s what to do:
- Carefully remove your plant from its pot and gently wash away as much of the old soil as you can.
- Look for any roots that are brown and mushy – these need to go.
- Use clean scissors to trim them away, leaving only firm, white or tan roots.
- Let your plant air out for an hour or so before replanting in fresh, well draining potting mix.
To prevent this issue from recurring mix some perlite or orchid bark into your potting soil to improve drainage. Think of it as adding gravel to a path – it creates spaces for water to flow through instead of pooling around the roots.
Pale Leaves
When your pothos looks like it’s losing its vibrant green color it’s usually telling you it needs either more light or a nutrient boost. Those pale, washed-out leaves are like a plant’s version of feeling under the weather.
What to Do
Try moving your plant to a brighter spot – but remember, indirect light is key. Morning sun or filtered light through a sheer curtain works great. If natural light is limited a simple grow light can make a world of difference.
For nutrients use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season. Think of it as a multivitamin for your plant – a little boost every few weeks during spring and summer can help restore that lush, deep green color you love.
Care Tips
The secret to a thriving pothos isn’t just about fixing problems – it’s about preventing them. Make a habit of checking on your plant weekly just like you might check your email or water your other plants. Look for early warning signs of trouble and don’t forget to give those vines an occasional trim to keep them full and bushy.
Remember that your pothos needs different care as seasons change. In winter it’ll naturally slow down its growth, so you can ease up on watering and skip the fertilizer until spring returns. Think of it as your plant’s annual rest period. It’s totally normal and healthy.