The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular and resilient houseplant prized for its heart-shaped foliage and long, trailing vines. Often referred to as Golden Pothos or Devil’s Ivy, this tropical vine tolerates a wide range of indoor conditions. Its hardiness makes it a favorite for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts looking for an attractive, low-maintenance addition to their home. This guide provides the instruction necessary to ensure your Pothos thrives and maintains its lush, vibrant appearance.
Ideal Environmental Conditions
Pothos plants perform best in bright, indirect light conditions. Placing the plant a few feet from a sunny, south- or west-facing window, or near an east-facing window, is ideal. This filtered light encourages vigorous growth and helps maintain the vibrant color and variegation of the leaves.
Pothos can tolerate lower light, but growth will slow, and variegated varieties may lose their markings, reverting to solid green foliage. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct, harsh sunlight, especially in the afternoon, as this can scorch the leaves, resulting in brown patches. The plant prefers standard indoor temperatures, ideally ranging between 65°F and 85°F, and should be kept away from cold drafts. Pothos appreciates average household humidity and does not require supplemental misting.
Essential Ongoing Care
The most common mistake in Pothos care is overwatering, so allow the soil to dry out partially between waterings. Wait until the top one to two inches of soil feel completely dry before watering thoroughly. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves and a general droopiness, which can indicate root rot. Conversely, an underwatered plant displays drooping or wilting leaves that feel dry, but it typically recovers quickly once a deep watering is provided.
Pothos requires a well-draining potting mix. A standard indoor potting mix blended with an amendment like perlite or coco coir ensures proper aeration and drainage. The container must have drainage holes to allow excess water to escape freely.
During the active growing season of spring and summer, Pothos benefits from monthly or bi-monthly feeding with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. This fertilizer should be diluted to half the recommended strength to prevent nutrient burn. Feeding should be suspended during the fall and winter months when the plant’s growth naturally slows.
Pruning and Repotting
Pruning is beneficial for Pothos, serving both aesthetic and health purposes. Removing yellowed or dead leaves redirects the plant’s energy toward new, healthy growth. To encourage a fuller, bushier appearance instead of long, sparse vines, trim the tips of the longest stems just above a leaf node. The cut vines can be saved for propagation, giving the plant a fresh shape.
Pothos typically needs repotting every one to two years, ideally when the plant is actively growing in the spring. Signs that a Pothos is root-bound include:
- Roots emerging from the drainage holes.
- A dense mat of roots visible on the soil surface.
- Water running straight through the pot without saturating the soil.
When repotting, select a new container only one to two inches larger in diameter than the previous one. Using an excessively large pot can lead to overwatering and root issues.
Multiplying Your Pothos
Propagating Pothos is simple, with water propagation being the most accessible method. Begin by taking a cutting from a healthy vine, ensuring the segment includes at least one leaf and one node. The node, which appears as a small brown bump on the stem, is the point from which new roots will develop.
Place the cutting in a glass of room-temperature water, ensuring the node is submerged while the attached leaves remain above the waterline to prevent rotting. Change the water weekly to keep it fresh and oxygenated. After a few weeks, roots will appear; once these roots are approximately one to two inches long, the cutting is ready to be transplanted into a pot filled with well-draining soil.