Pothos plants, admired for their trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, are popular, resilient houseplants. While generally low-maintenance, they can sometimes show signs of distress. Understanding these common issues helps keep your pothos thriving.
Watering-Related Problems
Watering practices frequently cause issues for pothos plants, manifesting in distinct ways depending on whether the plant receives too much or too little moisture. Observing the plant’s leaves and soil can provide important clues.
Overwatering
Overwatering often leads to yellowing leaves, which can appear on both new and old foliage. The stems might become mushy, and the soil remains persistently wet, indicating poor drainage or excessive watering frequency. To resolve this, adjust your watering schedule, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out before watering again. Ensuring the pot has adequate drainage holes is also important to prevent water from accumulating.
Underwatering
When a pothos is underwatered, its leaves may droop or wilt, and their edges can turn crispy and brown. The soil will feel dry and crusty, sometimes pulling away from the pot’s sides. To remedy underwatering, thoroughly water the plant until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Establishing a consistent watering routine, where you check the soil moisture regularly, helps prevent future dehydration.
Light & Environmental Stressors
Beyond watering, the surrounding environment significantly impacts a pothos’s health and appearance. Light exposure, temperature, and humidity are all influential factors.
Light Issues
Pothos plants prefer bright, indirect light, though they can tolerate lower light conditions. Too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, causing brown spots and faded variegation in patterned varieties. Conversely, insufficient light can lead to leggy growth, smaller leaves, and a lack of new foliage. To address light-related problems, move your plant to a location with filtered sunlight, such as near a window with a sheer curtain. If natural light is limited, a grow light can provide the necessary illumination for healthy growth.
Temperature and Humidity Issues
Pothos are tropical plants that thrive in temperatures between 60-85°F (15-29°C) and prefer humidity levels between 40% and 60%. Exposure to extreme cold, such as drafts, can cause black spots on leaves or overall wilting. Very low humidity, often common in heated indoor environments, can result in crispy leaf edges and stunted growth. To mitigate these issues, position your plant away from cold drafts or heating vents. Increasing humidity can be achieved by misting leaves, placing the pot on a pebble tray with water, or using a humidifier.
Pest Infestations
Pothos plants can occasionally fall victim to common houseplant pests. Prompt identification and treatment are important for managing infestations.
Common Pests
Mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects are among the most frequent pests found on pothos plants. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses, often in leaf axils or on stems. Spider mites are tiny and may create fine webbing on the undersides of leaves, causing a stippled appearance. Scale insects are small, hard, shell-like bumps that cling to stems and leaves.
Identification and Treatment
Mealybugs leave a sticky residue and can cause deformed leaves. Spider mites create webbing and cause pale spots or yellowing. Scale insects drain sap, leading to yellowing and leaf drop. For treatment, mealybugs and scale can be wiped off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can effectively treat spider mites and other common pests when applied to all leaf surfaces.
Root Rot
Root rot is a severe condition caused by prolonged waterlogging and poor drainage, leading to fungal growth that compromises root function. Symptoms include mushy, black, or foul-smelling roots, which are the most definitive signs upon inspection. The plant may also show overall decline, such as yellowing leaves and wilting, even if the soil is wet. Stems near the soil line might also become soft and mushy.
To treat root rot, carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently rinse the soil from the roots. Prune away any affected roots that are dark, soft, or smell foul using sterilized scissors. Repot the plant into fresh, well-draining potting mix, ensuring the new pot has adequate drainage holes.
Nutrient Deficiencies & Other Growth Issues
Certain nutrient deficiencies and other factors can affect pothos growth, impacting the plant’s overall vigor and appearance. Addressing these issues helps ensure your plant remains healthy and vibrant.
Nutrient Deficiencies
General signs of nutrient deficiencies in pothos can include overall pale or yellowing leaves, especially older ones, or a lack of vibrant color. Applying a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) can replenish necessary nutrients. Repotting with fresh, nutrient-rich potting soil every one to two years also helps maintain soil fertility.
Stunted Growth
Pothos plants may experience stunted growth for various reasons. One common cause is the plant becoming pot-bound, where roots have outgrown their container and are circling tightly. This restricts nutrient and water uptake, hindering overall development. To resolve this, check if roots are growing out of drainage holes or if the plant dries out quickly after watering. If so, repotting the plant into a container one or two sizes larger with fresh potting mix can provide the necessary space for continued growth.