Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a common, resilient tropical vine often appreciated for its cascading foliage. While many indoor growers allow the plant to hang from shelves or baskets, its true inclination, inherited from its wild origins, is to climb rather than trail. Understanding this natural tendency allows growers to choose the presentation that best suits their aesthetic and the plant’s potential.
The Pothos’s Natural Preference for Climbing
The Pothos is biologically classified as a hemiepiphyte, meaning it grows on another plant, typically a tree, without being parasitic. In its native habitat, the plant begins life on the forest floor, searching for a vertical surface to scale. This upward movement is a survival mechanism, known as skototropism, used to reach brighter light in the upper canopy. The vine employs specialized adhesive aerial roots to cling to supports like tree trunks or walls. Once the Pothos attaches and begins to climb, it enters its mature phase, undergoing a significant morphological change called heterophylly. This shift is characterized by a dramatic increase in leaf size, often growing from a few inches to over a foot long.
The Aesthetic of Trailing Pothos
When a Pothos is positioned in a hanging basket or on a high shelf, the vines trail downward due to gravity. In this scenario, the plant remains in its juvenile state because it is not actively seeking or adhering to a vertical support. The resulting aesthetic is the familiar “waterfall” of green foliage seen in many homes and offices.
The leaves on these hanging vines remain relatively small, usually under four inches long, and the stems have longer internodes, or spaces between the leaves. This trailing habit, while beautiful for indoor display, prevents the plant from accessing the biological cues that trigger its maturation phase, maintaining the compact, lush appearance associated with the houseplant.
Providing Support for Vertical Growth
To encourage the Pothos’s natural climbing inclination and trigger the growth of larger leaves, providing a vertical support is necessary. The most effective options are structures that allow the aerial roots to attach and penetrate, mimicking rough tree bark. Moss poles, trellises, and wooden planks are common materials used for this purpose.
Using Moss Poles
A moss pole, specifically one made of sphagnum moss or coir, works particularly well because it can be kept damp. Periodically moistening the pole encourages the aerial roots to grow into the medium, providing stability and signaling the plant has found a secure surface. As the Pothos begins to climb, the vines should be gently secured to the support to guide the aerial roots into contact with the material. This vertical orientation, combined with sufficient light, is the primary requirement for the plant to transition to its mature foliage.