Pothos plants, also known as Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum), are popular indoor plants due to their adaptable nature and trailing vines. Appreciated for their ease of care, they are suitable for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. Pothos plants also contribute to indoor air quality.
Pothos Plant Care
Pothos plants thrive with specific environmental conditions, ensuring healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Understanding their needs for light, water, soil, temperature, humidity, and fertilization helps maintain a robust plant.
Light Needs
Pothos plants flourish in bright, indirect light but tolerate lower light conditions. An east or west-facing window is often ideal, or a few feet away from a bright window. Too much direct sunlight can scorch leaves, causing pale yellow or bleached patches. Insufficient light can cause variegated varieties to lose their patterns, reverting to solid green foliage.
Watering Your Pothos
Water every one to two weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions. Check soil moisture by inserting a finger about 2 inches deep; if it feels dry, water. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root issues, while underwatering may cause leaves to curl or droop.
Soil Requirements
Pothos plants prefer a well-draining, airy potting mix rich in organic matter. A standard houseplant or aroid mix works well. Incorporating materials like perlite, vermiculite, or coco coir enhances drainage and aeration, preventing waterlogging and root problems.
Temperature and Humidity
Pothos plants prefer temperatures from 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 30°C) and should not be exposed to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) to avoid cold damage. While they adapt to average room humidity, higher levels (40-60%) are beneficial. Increase humidity by misting leaves, using a pebble tray, or placing a humidifier nearby.
Fertilizing
During spring and summer, fertilize your pothos once a month with a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength to prevent over-fertilization, salt buildup, and leaf burn. Reduce or stop fertilizing during fall and winter when growth slows.
Propagating Pothos
Propagating pothos is a straightforward process to create new plants from existing ones. The best time is during the plant’s active growing period, typically spring or summer.
Select a healthy stem and make a 2-3 inch cutting, ensuring it includes at least one node. A node is the stem’s bump where a leaf attaches and new roots emerge. Remove leaves from the bottom inch or two to prevent rotting in water.
Cuttings can be rooted in water or directly in moist soil. For water propagation, place the cutting in a jar, submerging the node but keeping leaves out of the water. Change the water weekly. Roots typically form within a few weeks. Once roots are several inches long, transplant into a pot with well-draining soil.
Alternatively, plant cuttings directly into moist potting mix. Maintain consistent soil moisture, avoiding overwatering. Place the cutting in a warm spot with bright, indirect light. Both methods are generally successful; rooting in soil may take longer.
Common Pothos Problems
Despite their ease of care, pothos plants can show signs of distress. Recognizing symptoms and their causes helps address issues and restore plant health. Many problems relate to environmental conditions or watering practices.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves often indicate improper watering, especially overwatering. Consistently wet soil can suffocate roots, leading to yellowing and mushy leaves. Inconsistent watering, fluctuating between dry and wet conditions, also stresses the plant. Nutrient deficiencies (e.g., lack of nitrogen) or too little light can cause leaves to yellow. Natural aging of lower leaves is also a normal part of the plant’s growth cycle.
Brown Crispy Leaves
Brown, crispy leaves often point to underwatering or low humidity. If the soil becomes too dry, leaves dehydrate and become brittle, especially at the edges. Too much direct sunlight can also scorch leaves, causing them to turn brown and crispy. Consistent moisture and adequate humidity can prevent this issue.
Drooping Leaves
Drooping leaves indicate a pothos plant needs attention. The most frequent cause is underwatering; the foliage will visibly wilt as it dehydrates. Overwatering can also lead to drooping as roots become waterlogged and unable to supply water. Temperature stress, such as sudden cold drafts, can also cause leaves to droop.
Popular Pothos Varieties
Pothos plants come in various forms, each with unique leaf colors and variegation patterns. While their care requirements are generally similar, their distinct appearances offer diverse decorative possibilities.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) features heart-shaped green leaves splashed with creamy gold or yellow variegation.
Marble Queen pothos displays green leaves heavily streaked and marbled with creamy white, creating a distinct, high-contrast appearance.
Neon pothos stands out with bright, almost fluorescent chartreuse or golden-yellow leaves that lack variegation; younger leaves are brighter, deepening in color as they mature.
N’Joy pothos has smaller, papery-thin leaves with clear white variegation, lacking green speckles within the white areas.
Pearls and Jade pothos features white-edged light green leaves with white and cream variegation, often including green streaks within the white sections, distinguishing it from ‘N’Joy’.