Pothos, often called “Devil’s Ivy,” is a popular houseplant known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, which feature various colors and patterns. Its resilience and adaptability make it a favored choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts seeking a low-maintenance yet attractive addition to their homes.
Pothos Plant Care
Pothos plants thrive with consistent care, encouraging vigorous growth and vibrant foliage. Understanding their needs for light, water, soil, temperature, humidity, and fertilization helps maintain their health and appearance.
Light
Pothos plants prefer bright, indirect light, such as near an east or west-facing window. While they tolerate lower light, growth may slow, and variegated varieties might lose their distinct patterns. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch leaves, causing them to appear bleached or browned. Filtering bright light with a sheer curtain or moving the plant a few feet away can prevent damage.
Water
Water Pothos by letting the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering is a common issue, leading to yellowing leaves and potentially root rot due to soggy soil that deprives roots of oxygen. Conversely, underwatering can cause leaves to droop and become crispy, though Pothos can recover from brief dry spells. Ensuring the pot has drainage holes is crucial for preventing water from pooling at the bottom.
Soil
A well-draining potting mix is suitable for Pothos, allowing for proper aeration around the roots. Standard houseplant potting mixes work well, and some growers enhance drainage by adding perlite. Pothos prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. Good drainage prevents waterlogging, which can lead to root issues.
Temperature and Humidity
Pothos plants flourish in average household temperatures, ideally between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). They can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C) for short periods, but consistently colder conditions can cause stress. While Pothos adapts to typical indoor humidity, higher humidity levels can promote larger and more robust leaf growth. Avoid cold drafts from windows or heating vents.
Fertilizing
During spring and summer, Pothos benefits from regular fertilization. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength, once a month. Pothos are not heavy feeders; over-fertilization can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil, potentially causing browning leaf tips or stunted growth. Reduce or stop fertilization during fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows.
Propagating Pothos
Propagating Pothos is a straightforward process, with water propagation being a popular method. Begin by selecting a healthy vine section from the parent plant, ensuring it has at least one node, which is the small bump on the stem where leaves and roots emerge. Cut a 4 to 6-inch stem cutting just below a node. Remove any leaves that would be submerged in water to prevent rotting.
Place the prepared cutting in a glass or jar filled with room temperature water, ensuring at least one node remains submerged. Position the container in a location that receives bright, indirect light, avoiding direct sunlight. Change the water weekly to keep it fresh and prevent bacterial growth. Within a few weeks, small white roots should begin to form from the submerged nodes. Once the roots are approximately 1 to 2 inches long, the cutting is ready to be transplanted into a pot with well-draining soil.
Common Pothos Problems
Even resilient Pothos plants can encounter issues, often signaled by changes in their leaves or growth patterns. Recognizing these signs and understanding their underlying causes helps in quickly addressing problems and restoring plant health.
Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leaves on a Pothos plant most commonly indicate improper watering, particularly overwatering. When the soil remains consistently soggy, roots can suffocate, leading to yellow discoloration. Inconsistent watering, where the soil alternates between too dry and too wet, can also stress the plant. Other less common causes include nutrient deficiencies, too much or too little light exposure, or simply the natural aging of older leaves.
Brown Leaf Tips or Edges
Brown leaf tips or edges on Pothos often point to low humidity, especially in dry indoor environments. Underwatering, where the plant consistently does not receive enough moisture, can also cause the leaves to dry out and turn crispy at the edges. Mineral buildup from tap water or over-fertilization, which creates an excess of salts in the soil, are additional potential causes for this browning.
Drooping Leaves
Drooping Pothos leaves are typically a clear sign of thirst, indicating the plant needs water. The leaves will appear limp and less turgid when the soil has dried out sufficiently. While less common, persistent drooping combined with yellowing and soft stems can also signal root rot due to overwatering, where the roots are damaged and cannot absorb water effectively. Feeling the soil’s moisture level helps distinguish between these two scenarios.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth, characterized by long, sparse stems with leaves spaced far apart, usually indicates that the Pothos is not receiving enough light. In an attempt to find more light, the plant stretches, resulting in an elongated and less bushy appearance. Moving the plant to a brighter location with indirect light can encourage more compact and fuller growth. Regular pruning of these stretched vines can also promote bushier development.
Popular Pothos Varieties
Pothos plants come in a range of varieties, each offering unique leaf patterns and colors. The ‘Golden Pothos’ features green leaves splashed with golden-yellow variegation. ‘Marble Queen’ Pothos displays a striking blend of green and creamy white marbling across its foliage. The ‘Neon Pothos’ boasts heart-shaped leaves in a bright, chartreuse-yellow hue.
Other popular types include ‘Pearls and Jade’, which has smaller, white-edged leaves with green and silver-gray variegation. The ‘N’Joy’ variety is similar, distinguished by crisp white and green variegation. ‘Cebu Blue’ Pothos offers elongated, silvery-blue-green leaves that can develop fenestrations as they mature. These varieties share similar care requirements.