Pothos plants, also known as Devil’s Ivy, are popular and resilient houseplants. Celebrated for their adaptability and cascading vines, they are suitable for various indoor settings. Their heart-shaped leaves, often variegated, add natural beauty and contribute to their reputation as an easy-to-care-for specimen.
Pothos Care Essentials
Pothos plants thrive in bright, indirect light, promoting vibrant foliage and robust growth. Lower light conditions can result in slower growth and less vivid variegated patterns. Avoid direct, intense afternoon sunlight, which can scorch leaves and cause discoloration. Place them near an east or west-facing window, or a northern window for lower light, for suitable illumination.
Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common issue that can lead to root rot, so ensuring proper drainage is important. Drooping leaves indicate the plant needs water, while yellowing leaves or a wet potting mix often signal overwatering. Water thoroughly until liquid drains from the pot’s bottom, then discard any excess from the saucer.
Pothos plants prefer a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. A standard houseplant mix is suitable; enhance drainage and aeration by adding perlite or coco coir. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.1 to 6.8, which helps ensure optimal nutrient absorption.
Pothos flourishes in average room temperatures, between 65°F and 85°F (18°C-30°C). Temperatures below 60°F (15°C) can cause cold damage. While pothos tolerates average household humidity, they appreciate higher levels, between 40-60%. To increase humidity, mist the leaves, place a humidifier nearby, or use a pebble tray.
During the active growing season, which spans spring and summer, fertilizing your pothos encourages robust growth. Use a balanced, water-soluble liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, applying it monthly. Reduce or cease fertilizing during fall and winter when growth naturally slows. Always apply fertilizer to moist soil to prevent root burn.
Propagating Pothos
Propagating pothos is straightforward using water. Take a stem cutting 4 to 6 inches long with at least two to four leaves. Make a clean cut just below a node, which is the small bump on the stem where leaves and roots emerge. Remove any leaves that would be submerged in water to prevent rot.
Place the cutting in a glass container with room-temperature water, ensuring nodes are submerged but leaves remain above the waterline. Position the container in bright, indirect light. Change the water weekly. Roots typically form within a few weeks; once they are one to two inches long, transplant the cutting into well-draining potting soil.
Troubleshooting Common Pothos Problems
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves are a common indicator of stress. Overwatering, which leads to root rot, is a frequent cause, resulting in soggy soil and yellow or blackening leaves. Underwatering also causes yellowing, often accompanied by wilting or crispy leaves. Adjusting watering practices to allow the soil to dry between applications resolves these issues.
Leggy Growth and Brown Tips
Leggy growth, with long, sparse stems and few leaves, indicates insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter location with indirect light to encourage bushier, more compact growth. Brown tips or crispy leaves signal underwatering or low humidity. Increase watering frequency or boost ambient humidity to alleviate these symptoms.
Pests
Pothos plants can encounter pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Spider mites cause pale spots and fine webbing on leaves. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses. Regular inspection and wiping down leaves prevent infestations. For treatment, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Popular Pothos Varieties
The Golden Pothos features green, heart-shaped leaves splashed with yellow or gold variegation. The Marble Queen Pothos displays creamy white and green marbled patterns. Neon Pothos stands out with vibrant, lime-green leaves. Jade Pothos has deep green, solid-colored leaves. The N’Joy Pothos offers a compact growth habit with smaller leaves that have distinct patches of green and white. Each variety provides unique aesthetic appeal.
Pothos and Pet Safety
Pothos plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, making them toxic if ingested by pets or humans. Chewing leaves or stems releases these crystals, leading to irritation. Symptoms in pets include oral pain, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, decreased appetite, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. While rarely fatal, these symptoms can cause significant discomfort. Place pothos plants in locations inaccessible to pets and young children to prevent accidental ingestion.