Your first pothos plant might start as a single cutting from a friend but don’t be surprised when it turns in to a mass of leaves that are uncontrollably all over your bookshelf. They’re just awesome plants!
Being so adaptable is how they’ve become so popular. It doesn’t matter if it’s your fist time growing houseplants or a more seasoned gardener, a pothos will make any part of your home that bit greener.
So if you want some useful care tips for growing a pothos plant this guide is for you.
Meet the Pothos Family
Walk into any plant shop and you’ll no doubt come across many types of pothos. And what’s great about them is they all have their own personalities.
If you’re going to be growing one then it’s a good idea to become familiar with all the different types and what they need.
The classic Golden Pothos, for example, has green leaves with splashes or cream and yellow and can grow virtually anywhere.
If you’d like something a bit more dramatic then the Marble Queen might be for you. It’s slower growing but looks even more amazing with incredible patterns.
Looking for something to brighten a room? The Neon Pothos has leaves so bright thy almost glow (hence the name), especially in the morning light.
The Manjula has much wider leaves than most pothos and are gray, cream and different shades of green. And if you want something a little more subtle then the Global Green’s two toned leaves have darker edges that catch the light beautifully.
Making Your Pothos Feel at Home
Pothos aren’t particularly fussy about light but they will let you know when they’re not happy. If you put one in the darkest corner of your home it will survive but grow more slowly and end up with greener leaves when what you really want is variegated ones.
But if you give it what it really likes, which is indirect light, and it will thrive massively. So somewhere like a north facing window or a few feet away from an east facing one is ideal.
Think about where you feel comfortable in your home. Pothos like the same sort of environment.
They do best in normal room temperatures between 60 to 80°F, just like we do. They don’t like cold drafts and if it gets too cold they’ll drop their leaves.
For the soil and pots mix a regular potting soil with some perlite or orchid bark because it will help to make the air flow better. And use a pot that has lots of drainage holes. As for repotting, pick a pot that is a couple of inches bigger than the one it’s currently in.
Watering
you don’t need to be governed by a very strict schedule when you’re watering. In fact your pothos will tell and show you when it needs water. If you put your finger roughly an inch into the soil and it feels dry then you should be watering.
The leaves are also a great way to know what your pothos needs. If the leaves are firm and perky you can be confident your plant is happy.
But drooping ones could be a sign it needs water. If the leaves begin to turn yellow and feel soft this could be the opposite and you’ve given it too much water.
Keeping Your Pothos Looking Its Best
Spring and summer is when your pothos will be growing the most and giving you lots of new leaves. So it’s then that you should use fertilizer – once a month will be enough.
Don’t get hung up on precise measurements. Just dilute the fertilizer a bit more than the package suggests so you don’t burn the roots.
When the vines get long then you should prune them. When you do you’ll be encouraging new growth so a bit of trimming will actually make your plant fuller in the long run.
Save those cuttings too – you can get more plants from them.
When Things Aren’t Quite Right
Even if you’ve got a super tough pothos it can still have some issues. As mentioned earlier yellow leaves usually mean too much water. Brown and crispy edges to the leaves is usually a sign that the air is too dry or the plant needs extra water.
Spotted a few bugs? Wipe the leaves with neem oil after giving them a rinse with water should be good enough to get rod of them.
With all these issues the key is getting to them quickly. You want to be keeping an eye on your plant so you notice any changes early on and get to them before they become serious.
Growing Your Pothos Family
There’s something really wonderful about turning one pothos into many. Plus it’s surprisingly simple!
Al you have to do is save a piece that has 4 or 5 leaves on when you’re trimming back the vines. Look for a few nodes too (those little brown bumps along the stem).
Put these cuttings in a clear glass of water near a bright window and within a few weeks you should begin to see roots growing. Once they’ve grown to a couple of inches long they’re ready to go in the soil.
Some people like to keep their pothos growing in water permanently. You can do that too, just change the water every week or so to keep it fresh.
Beyond the Basic Hanging Basket
Pothos plants can be more than another regular houseplant. I trained one of mine so the vines grow along hooks and create a frame around my window. They clean the air too, filtering out nasty particles from in your home.
Try this: get a few small pothos plants in different varieties and arrange them at different heights using some plant stands or books. The mix of colors and patterns of the leaves looks amazing and will only become more impressive as they grow.
Or go vertical – a moss pole or simple trellis can make your pothos climb and grow bigger leaves. It’ll be a real eye catcher wherever in your house you have it.
Seasonal Care
Pothos plants change their behaviour depending on the season. During the longer days of spring and summer they’re growing a full blast.
You might notice new leaves unfurling every week, and each with a unique pattern of variegation. This is when they’ll appreciate more watering and occasional feeding.
When the days begin to shorten in the fall your pothos will naturally slow down. Don’t worry if it’s not growing as much during this period as that’s normal.
Don’t water as much and skip fertilizing entirely until spring returns. Keep an eye on heating vents during the winter as they can dry out leaves faster than you’d expect.
Getting Creative with Your Pothos
You can make your propagation an art display by creating a cutting station. Collect interesting clear glasses or bottles, put your pothos cuttings at different stages or development in them and the arrange them on your windowsill.
It’s a great way of showing off your baby pothos and a good way to store them and kept track of how they’re doing.
If you want to be a bit more ambitious you could try creating a living wall. Begin with something like a wooden frame and some garden twine to create a grid. As your pothos grows try weaving the vines through the grid.
Over time they’ll fill in and create a wonderful tapestry. Just remember to put the pot somewhere that is to get to and water without making a big mess.
FAQ
Why is my pothos dropping leaves?
Usually this it’s either too cold or too wet. Check the soil moisture and make sure it’s not sitting near a window that gets drafts or AC vent.
Why is my pothos turning green
This is actually your plant adapting to lower light. Move it closer to a window (but not in direct sun), and you should see it return to it’s old state.
Why are my pothos vines getting too long and bare at the base?
You need to trim the vines. When you do you can the put the trimmed ends back in the soil in the pot and it will make your plant even fuller.
Remember, pothos are known as “devil’s ivy” because they’re nearly impossible to kill. Whatever mistakes you make it’s likely they’ll be able to bounce back. So they’re perfect for beginner gardeners or the more experienced.
