Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a widely favored houseplant, appreciated for its simple care and trailing vines. It adapts well to various indoor environments. Pruning maintains its health and promotes a more appealing appearance.
Why Prune Pothos
Pruning pothos serves several purposes, contributing to a healthier and more visually appealing plant. One primary reason is to encourage bushier growth, as unpruned pothos can become long and leggy, especially in lower light. Trimming encourages new growth closer to the base, leading to denser foliage.
Pruning also helps maintain a desired shape and size, useful for controlling its vigorous growth. Removing yellowing, damaged, or dead leaves redirects the plant’s energy to healthier parts, improving its vitality. This also enhances air circulation around the plant, helping prevent certain plant issues. Additionally, removed cuttings are valuable for propagation, allowing for new plants to be created.
When to Prune Pothos
The optimal time for more extensive pruning is during its active growing season, typically from spring to early fall. Pruning during these months allows the plant to recover quickly and channel its energy into new growth.
While heavy pruning is best avoided during winter when growth naturally slows, light maintenance pruning, such as removing yellowed leaves or broken stems, can be done at any time. Specific situations also indicate a need for pruning. If the plant exhibits leggy growth, with long, bare vines and sparse leaves, it’s a good sign that pruning is due to encourage fullness. Pruning is also advisable when the plant becomes too large for its space or when preparing to move it indoors for colder seasons.
How to Prune Pothos
To begin pruning, gather clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears; sterilizing them with rubbing alcohol helps prevent disease spread. Identify the areas that require pruning, considering the desired shape and size of the plant.
For bushier growth, make cuts just above a node—the small bump on the stem where leaves or aerial roots emerge. New growth will typically sprout from these nodes. When addressing leggy vines, cut them back to encourage new growth closer to the plant’s base.
For general shaping or to remove damaged foliage, trim the vines to the preferred length, ensuring cuts are made just above a node. It is advisable to avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time to prevent undue stress and allow for sufficient energy regeneration.
After Pruning Care and Propagation
Following pruning, ensure the pothos receives adequate light and water, especially if the soil is dry, though avoid immediate heavy fertilization. Place the plant back in its original location or one with similar light and temperature conditions to minimize stress. New growth typically emerges within a few weeks, particularly with bright, indirect light and warm temperatures. The pruned cuttings can be readily used for propagation, expanding your plant collection.
For water propagation, place stem cuttings, each containing at least one node and a few leaves, into a container of fresh, room-temperature water. Ensure the nodes are submerged but leaves remain above the waterline. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. Roots typically begin to form from the nodes within a couple of weeks. Once roots are 2 to 3 inches long, the cuttings can be planted in well-draining potting soil.
For soil propagation, cuttings can be planted directly into moist, well-draining potting mix, optionally dipping the cut end in rooting hormone to promote root development. Keep the soil consistently moist for the first one to two weeks to help the cuttings establish.