The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) is a low-maintenance houseplant known for its cascading, heart-shaped foliage and rapid, vining growth habit. To achieve the best possible health and maximize the plant’s growth rate, careful consideration of its indoor location is necessary. Understanding the specific environmental needs of the Pothos is the first step toward selecting the optimal placement within a home.
Optimal Illumination for Pothos Growth
Providing the correct light exposure is the most significant factor in maximizing Pothos growth. The plant thrives best in bright, indirect light, which fuels robust photosynthesis without damaging the leaf tissue. Optimal placement is near an east-facing window for gentle morning sun, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window where the light is more intense.
Indirect light means the plant receives a wide view of the sky but is shielded from direct sunbeams. Placing the Pothos several feet back from a large south-facing window provides abundant, diffused light. This prevents intense midday and afternoon sun from causing leaf scorch, which appears as brown, crispy patches.
Pothos tolerates low-light environments, but this slows growth speed and affects appearance. When placed in dimly lit corners, the growth rate slows considerably. Variegated varieties, such as ‘Marble Queen’ or ‘Neon,’ may lose their distinct coloring, reverting to all-green. This stretching toward a light source, known as etiolation, results in longer gaps between leaves, creating a sparse vine. To maintain vigorous growth, rotate the Pothos periodically with a plant in a brighter location.
Avoiding Harmful Temperature Swings
Pothos plants prefer a consistent, warm environment, ideally between 65°F and 85°F. Maintaining a stable temperature is more important than achieving a precise number within this range. Placement must protect the plant from sharp, rapid temperature fluctuations that induce stress.
A common placement error is positioning the Pothos near drafty areas, such as exterior doors or frequently opened windows. Direct exposure to forced air from heating or air conditioning vents should also be avoided. These devices create blasts of hot or cold air, which rapidly dry out the foliage and soil, disrupting transpiration.
Avoid placing the plant directly above or next to heat registers, radiators, or fireplaces. The intense, dry heat from these sources can scorch leaves and significantly lower ambient humidity. Selecting a location buffered from these environmental stressors ensures the Pothos maintains efficient metabolic functions.
Placing Pothos Away From Pets and Children
Safety considerations must take precedence, as the Pothos is toxic if ingested by pets or small children. The foliage and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. When chewed, these crystals embed themselves in the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, causing immediate, intense irritation and swelling.
While rarely fatal, the reaction is painful and can cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. Placement must be strategically chosen to eliminate access.
For homes with curious pets or toddlers, the most effective solution is vertical placement. Hanging planters secured to the ceiling or mounting the plant on high, inaccessible shelves removes the temptation to nibble at the trailing vines.
If the Pothos must be placed on a floor-level surface, use a room generally off-limits to pets or children, such as a home office. Prioritize placement where the vines cannot cascade low enough to be easily reached.
Creative Ways to Display Pothos
Once a location meeting the plant’s light, temperature, and safety requirements is selected, the display method influences its aesthetic and growth pattern. Pothos is naturally a vining plant, and a hanging basket showcases its cascading habit. Allowing the vines to trail freely over the sides of a container maximizes the visual effect of the foliage.
Alternatively, Pothos can be encouraged to mature into a climbing plant by providing a vertical structure, such as a moss pole or a trellis. When aerial roots attach to this support, the leaves grow significantly larger than those on trailing vines. This placement transforms the plant from a delicate trailer into a substantial, structural feature.
For smaller plants, placement as a tabletop centerpiece works, provided the light source is adequate. The vines can be gently trained to spill over the edge of a bookcase or console table, adding organic texture. Selecting a heavy, stable container ensures the plant does not easily tip over.