Pothos is the ultimate houseplant – perfect for beginners and a favorite for those who have grown plants before. It’s tough, adapts well and looks great.
You might want your pothos to climb wall, cascade down from a shelf or simply
Look good on your desk. It’ll do all and more without any problem.
And on top of that it’s ridiculously easy to care for.
So this guide will help you to keep your pothos thriving and looking its best.
Understanding Your Pothos
Before we start talking about the specifics of its care it’s helpful to understand a little about the pothos plant.
- Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
- Common Names: Devil’s Ivy, Golden Pothos, Money Plant
- Origin: Grows in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and the Solomon Islands.
- Growth Habit: Vines with leaves shaped like hearts which can climb or will trail.
Choosing the Right Spot
Pothos can adapt to different levels of light but if you give them exactly what they like they’ll really grow strongly.
- Light: Bright, indirect light is perfect. They can grow in low light but it will be much slower growth and they won’t have as much variegation. Don’t put them in direct sunlight as the leaves can get burnt.
- Temperature: Keep the indoor temperature between 65 to 85°F (18 to 29°C). Pothos don’t like the temperature changing too quickly or being in the path of any cold drafts.
- Humidity: They like the humidity to be moderate to high but can adapt to the average indoor humidity levels. If you live somewhere that is dry then you might want to mist your plant occasionally.
Watering Wisely
Overwatering is a common problem for those looking after pothos. Don’t make that mistake.
- Check Soil Moisture: Put your finger into the soil going down about an inch. If it feels dry you should be watering.
- Watering Schedule: Every 1 to 2 weeks is usually enough. However, things like the climate in your home and how big the pot is can affect how often you should do it.
- Avoid Overwatering: Make sure the pot your pothos is in has drainage holes so the water doesn’t build up at the roots and cause them to rot.
Soil and Potting
The right soil mix and pot can make a big difference in how your plant grows.
- Soil: Use a potting mix that is known to drain well. I’ve found a mix of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite works well.
- Pot Selection: The pot must have drainage holes. Pothos like to be a little root-bound, so choose a pot that’s only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter when you repot yours.
Feeding Your Pothos
Pothos don’t need a lot of feeling but giving them some fertilizer occasionally can help with their growth.
- Fertilizer Type: A balanced houseplant fertilizer that you’ve diluted to half strength is going to work.
- Frequency: Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer). Don’t fertilizing during the fall and winter months when growth slows.
Pruning and Maintenance
Your pothos will look at its best if you regularly maintain it.
- Pruning: Trim any leggy vines as it will help your plant to grow bushier. Use scissors and make the cuts just above a leaf node.
- Cleaning: Dust can build up on the leaves and stop photosynthesis from happening. Wipe the leaves with a cloth every few weeks.
- Support: If you’d like your pothos to climb give it something like a moss pole or trellis to support and help it do so. This works because it copies how they would have grown naturally. It can also help them to grow bigger leaves.
Propagation
Pothos are probably one of the easiest plants to propagate.
- Stem Cuttings:
- Choose a Healthy Vine: Pick a vine that has quite a few leaves and at least one node.
- Cut Below a Node: Using scissors cut about 4 to 6 inches in length.
- Rooting:
- In Water: Put the cutting in a jar of water and make sure the node is fully submerged. Change the water every week. The roots will start to develop within a few weeks.
- In Soil: Plant the cutting in moist potting mix, getting the node buried deeply. Keep the soil moist until the roots develop.
- Transplanting: Once the roots have grown to a few inches long move them to soil. This will help them to get used to the new environment.
Common Pothos Varieties
Pothos come in a few different varieties and they all have their own patterns on the leaves.
- Golden Pothos: Has dark green leaves with golden/yellow variegation.
- Marble Queen Pothos: Has creamy white and green marbled leaves.
- Neon Pothos: Known for having bright leaves that stand out in any room.
- Jade Pothos: Has deep green leaves and works well in lower light.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even the tough pothos can face some challenges.
Yellowing Leaves
- Causes: Overwatering is the main reason but a lack of nutrients or aging leaves can also be causes.
- Solution:
- Check the soil moisture – if it’s soggy, let the plant dry out and don’t water as often.
- Remove any yellow or damaged leaves as it will help to focus the plants energy in to healthy growth.
- Fertilize your pothos if hasn’t been fed in a while.
- Causes: Low humidity, underwatering or too much fertilizer.
- Solution:
- Mist the plant occasionally or put a humidifier near it if the air is dry.
- Check how often you’re watering to make sure it’s consistent.
- Avoid over fertilizing and if you think you’ve given it too much flush through the soil with water.
- Causes: Not enough light, lack of nutrients or a pot that’s too small.
- Solution:
- Move the plant to somewhere that gets more light but not direct sunlight.
- Repot if the roots are cramped.
- Feed during the summer and spring with a diluted houseplant fertilizer.
- Common Culprits: Spider mites, mealybugs or scale insects.
- Solution:
- Wipe the leaves with a cloth to get rid of pests.
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if the pests are tough to get rid of.
- Isolate the plant to so the pests do t spread to any other plants of yours.
- Causes: Usually a sign of underwatering or overwatering.
- Solution:
- Check the soil. If it’s dry then water. If its soggy give it time to dry out and change up how often you’re watering.
- Encourage the vines to climb up your walls or furniture using hooks or command strips.
- Use a moss pole to help it climb by copying the sort of habitat it would have had in nature. This can help your pothos to grow larger leaves.
- Regularly pinch or cut any longer vines so your pothos grows side shoots.
- Rotate the pot every couple of weeks so you get even growth.
- Create a wall of green and nature by arranging multiple pots of pothos on some shelves or a grid.
- Train vines to overlap each other for a cascading effect.
- Use filtered or distilled water if your tap water is high in minerals or chlorine.
- Wipe the leaves often to keep them free of dust and to make sure photosynthesis happens.
- Myth: Pothos do well in complete darkness.
Fact: While they can grow fine in low light. they still need some light to grow well. - Myth: They don’t need pruning.
Fact: Pruning regularly actually keeps them healthy and helps to get better growth. - Myth: Pothos are safe for pets.
Fact: They are toxic to pets if eaten. Keep them out of reach of any cats or dogs. - Air Purification: NASA lists pothos as one of the best plants for removing indoor toxins.
- Stress Relief: Plants are known to help with stress levels and improve our mental health.
- Affordability: Pothos are cheap, easy to propagate and last for a long time.
Brown Tips or Edges
Stunted Growth
Pests
Droopy Leaves
Extra Tips
These extra tips will help your pothos to really thrive.
Training Your Pothos
Creating a Bushier Plant
DIY Pothos Wall
Boosting Growth
Pothos Care Summary Table
| Aspect | Ideal Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light | Can deal with low light but grows slower. |
| Watering | When soil feels dry to the touch | No soggy soil to stop root rot. |
| Temperature | 65 to 85°F (18 to 29°C) | Protect from cold drafts. |
| Humidity | Moderate to high | Mist occasionally in dry environments. |
| Soil | A potting mix that drains well | Add perlite or peat for better drainage. |
| Fertilizer | Monthly during the spring/summer | Use a diluted fertilizer. |
| Propagation | Cuttings in water or soil | Easy to propagate and grow. |
Decorating with Pothos
Pothos are a nice houseplant but you can do more with them than just having them sit on your desk. They’re versatile around the home as part of the decor too
Hanging Baskets
Hang pothos in macramé holders for a classic bohemian look. Let the vines cascade down to make them even more interesting.
Shelving and Bookcases
Put your pots on high shelves and let the vines drape over the sides. Mix pothos with other trailing plants for variety.
Desks and Tabletops
Use small pots with smaller pothos vines as accents on desks or coffee tables. Add pebbles or stones to the top of the soil for a different look.
Bathroom Greens
The humidity in bathrooms is great for pothos. Put them near a window or under artificial light.
Pothos Myths and Facts
These are a few misconceptions about pothos plants.
Why Every Home Needs a Pothos
If you’re on the fence about getting yourself a pothos think about these positives:
Final Thoughts
Caring for a pothos indoors is pretty simple. They’re forgiving, look great and are simply a lot of fun to grow. With just a little attention you can have a thriving pothos.