The Pothos plant is a popular and resilient houseplant known for its striking, heart-shaped foliage and long, trailing vines. Repotting is a necessary maintenance task for this moderate to fast-growing plant to ensure its long-term health and continued development. Like all container plants, the Pothos will eventually exhaust the resources in its current pot, requiring a new home to access fresh nutrients and avoid becoming root-bound. This straightforward process helps maintain the plant’s lush appearance and growth rate.
Identifying the Need for a New Home
A Pothos plant typically needs repotting every one to two years, but physical signs often provide a more accurate indicator than a calendar schedule. The most telling sign is the emergence of white or tan roots poking out from the pot’s drainage holes, signaling that the root system has filled the container. Another indicator is when water runs straight through the soil almost instantly after watering, which happens because the dense mat of roots leaves little room for the soil to retain moisture.
Stunted or slow development may also indicate restricted root space. You might also notice the plant looking top-heavy or unstable, or that the soil level has dropped significantly due to compaction and root mass. Repotting should occur during the plant’s growing season, ideally in late winter or early spring, to give the Pothos the best chance to acclimate quickly and begin new growth in its larger container.
Essential Preparation and Supplies
Before beginning the transplant process, gathering all materials ensures a smooth and efficient transition for the plant. The new container should only be one to two inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Choosing a pot that is too large can hold excessive moisture, increasing the risk of root rot before the roots can colonize the new soil. The new pot must also have adequate drainage holes to allow excess water to escape freely.
The Pothos thrives in a well-draining, loose potting mix that provides aeration while retaining some moisture. A standard indoor potting mix should be amended with materials like perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand to improve drainage and prevent compaction. Having sharp, clean shears or a knife ready is useful for trimming away any damaged or circling roots. Laying down newspaper or a tarp is also advisable to simplify the clean-up of spilled soil.
The Step-by-Step Repotting Process
The first step is gently removing the Pothos from its current container by tipping the pot onto its side and carefully pulling the plant out by the base of the stems. If the root ball is tightly bound, lightly squeeze the sides of the plastic pot or tap the bottom to help loosen it. Once removed, the root ball should be examined for severe entanglement or signs of rot, which appear as dark brown or mushy sections.
For a healthy but tightly bound root ball, the roots should be gently loosened using your fingers or a chopstick to encourage them to spread into the fresh soil. If the roots are heavily matted and circling the perimeter, gently scoring the outside of the root ball with a clean knife can help break the pattern of growth. Next, fill the new pot with fresh potting mix until the plant’s top roots will sit about one inch below the rim of the container.
Center the Pothos in the new pot, ensuring the top of the root ball is at the same soil level as it was in the old pot. Begin filling the space between the root ball and the pot walls with the fresh soil mix. Gently tamp the new soil down using your fingers or a blunt object to eliminate air pockets and ensure firm contact between the roots and the surrounding medium. Continue adding soil until the roots are completely covered and the plant is secure in its new home.
Post-Repotting Care
Immediately after repotting, the Pothos requires a thorough, deep watering to settle the new soil around the roots and hydrate the plant. This initial watering is important as it helps the soil fully compact and eliminates any remaining air gaps. The newly repotted plant should be placed back in an area with bright, indirect light, but direct sunlight should be avoided for the first few weeks.
Avoid applying any fertilizer for four to six weeks following the transplant, as the fresh potting mix contains sufficient nutrients. The plant’s energy should be directed toward root establishment, and excess fertilizer can damage the new, sensitive roots. It is normal to observe mild wilting or a few yellowing leaves during this period, which are typical signs of transplant shock. The Pothos generally recovers well within a few weeks as its root system begins to expand into the new soil.