Complete Pothos Plant Care Guide

Pothos, also known as Epipremnum aureum, is a popular houseplant that is known for its beautiful heart-shaped leaves and its ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions. Sometimes, you love plants, but feel like you don’t always have the best green thumb. Luckily, the pothos plant is very low maintenance and easy to care for. It’s often noted as one of the best suited houseplants for beginners in the world of indoor gardening.

In this post, we will discuss how to water, fertilize, and guidelines on care to keep your pothos plant alive and thriving!

About Pothos Plants

Pothos is a popular houseplant, loved by home gardeners and enthusiasts alike. Its attractive waxy leaves grow in heart shapes that cascade down or climb up. It is a highly tolerant and durable plant. I have many different varieties of pothos myself and am always looking for more to add to my collection, as they are such easy plants to care for.

You can keep it in a hanging basket or pot, as it likes to sprawl down. Pothos also loves warm but indirect sunlight and requires little pruning – making it ideal for those who do not have much time to invest in looking after their plants! Additionally, its air-purifying abilities make it even more desirable, filtering out pollutants such as xylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from your home.

Pothos houseplants are popular with green thumbs looking to add a little extra flair to the home. They are easy to care for and have mesmerizing foliage that can brighten up any room and enhance its décor.

General Pothos Care Requirements

With the right care, including light and occasional trimming, pothos houseplants can thrive indoors for several years with minimal effort from their owner. If you’re looking for an aesthetic plant that’s low maintenance and widely available, a Pothos is an excellent option.

Light

Pothos prefers bright, indirect light. However, it can also tolerate low light conditions. If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your home, you can supplement with a grow light.

Water

Pothos are very forgivable if you happen to forget a watering. A general rule, though, is to allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Be careful not to overwater, as that is the most common mistake made by pothos owners.

Humidity

Regular home humidity levels of around 50% are sufficient. If your home is dry, you can increase the humidity around your pothos by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water.

Temperature

Pothos prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing your pothos in a drafty area or near a heat source.

Soil

Most pothos don’t need anything special when it comes to soil. Just use a well-draining potting mix for your pothos plant. You can purchase a commercial potting mix or make your own.

Repotting

A good rule of thumb is to repot your pothos every 2-3 years. Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot.

Fertilizer

Fertilize your pothos every month during the spring and summer. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer.

Pruning

You can prune your pothos plant at any time to control its size and shape. Simply cut off any dead or leggy stems. If you want, you can then propagate those stems.

Pests and Diseases

Pothos are relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, they can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and root rot. If you notice any pests or diseases on your pothos plant, treat them immediately with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide.

Caring for and finding out how to keep a Pothos plant alive is likely easy enough that even people with little garden experience can bring one into their home and have it thrive. Before purchasing a Pothos, determine where you’d like to keep it- bright, indirect light away from any drafts works best. Once purchased, water when the top two inches of soil are dry, but avoid over-watering as this can lead to yellow leaves.

Choosing The Right Pothos Plant

Shopping for a Pothos houseplant is easy and straightforward. You’re sure to find what you need, from local nurseries to online stores. The selection is incredible, ranging from classic varieties to more exotic selections. To ensure you purchase the best plant for your environment, experts advise choosing a variety that works with your home or office light levels.

For example, if you live in an area where bright light streams through windows, then a neon pothos might be the right choice. Moreover, if your space has very indirect sunlight, then you will likely want to go with something like a golden or marble pothos. Biophilic design enthusiasts may also opt for trailing and heartleaf varieties that make stunning displays in any room.

Before investing in a Pothos plant, do your research on the varieties available, so you get the one that is best suited for your particular indoor environment.

If you’re considering adding a Pothos plant to your home, the best way to get started is by inspecting each of your options before making a purchase. Look for plants with vibrant and even leaves and avoid ones that are turning yellow or wilting.

Planting and Care Instructions for Pothos

For plant fans interested in creating their own balcony or indoor garden, several essential elements exist. You will need to find quality soil that best fits the kind of plants you want to grow and a pot designed for those plants.

Consider using fertilizer at intervals specified on the package instructions to provide your plants with essential nutrients. An ample supply of water is also critical; depending on the type of plant, they may need daily watering or up to once a week. Last but not least, ensure you provide adequate sunlight for each plant according to its needs—some require full sunlight, while others prefer only partial sun or shade.

Doing your research and gathering these items together can help give your garden the best chance of success.

Propagating Pothos

Pothos are one of the easiest plants to propagate, so you can easily share your plant with friends and family. There are two main methods for propagating pothos. You can either root in water or directly in soil.

Propagating in Water

This is the easiest method for propagating pothos. Simply take a stem cutting from your pothos plant and place it in a jar of water. Make sure that the leaves are not submerged in the water. Change the water every few days. Within a few weeks, you should see roots start to form. Once the roots are about 1-2 inches long, you can plant the cutting in a pot of soil.

Propagating in Soil

This method is a little more difficult than rooting in water, but it is still relatively easy. Simply take a stem cutting from your pothos plant and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Then, plant the cutting in a pot of well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Within a few weeks, you should see new growth start to form.

Adding Pothos to Other Propagating Plants

Adding a pothos node can help to increase the chances of success of your other propagations. There are a few theories on why this might help them root faster. One theory is that the pothos releases a rooting hormone into the water that helps to stimulate root growth in other plants. Another theory is that the pothos provides a source of nutrients and minerals that can help to support the growth of other plants. In either case, it’s worth a try.

To add a pothos node to another propagation, simply take a cutting from your pothos plant and place it in the same container as the other propagation.

Common Pothos Problems

Pothos are an easy to care for plant that’s great for beginners. However, like with all houseplants, it could have a few issues that you would need to address.

When to Water

Knowing when to water your Pothos can take time and effort. Luckily, there are some signs that may indicate whether your Pothos has been over or under-watered. If you see wilting leaves, yellowing foliage, and crispy brown edges, chances are the plant is overwatered.

It’s essential to remember that all plants are different, and not every sign applies to every situation. So it is recommended to take a close look at your Pothos before making any decision about watering it. On the flip side, if the leaves look droopy and a lack of growth is present, then the plant needs more water.

Yellow Leaves

If you’ve recently bought a Pothos plant and are seeing some yellow leaves or limp stems, then don’t panic. Depending on the circumstances, it may be a lack of light, too much water causing the issue, or something else entirely.

It’s important to determine the underlying cause of your Pothos’ yellow leaves or limp stem before you start to take corrective action. There are various apps on houseplant care can be helpful in getting to the root cause. Understanding how to properly care for your particular species is key to keeping your beloved plants healthy and thriving.

Common Pests

Keep an eye out for any houseplant bugs, then treat appropriately. If you see webs of white insects, this can be an indication of spider mites. These pests can damage the pothos if left unchecked. Also keep an eye out for mealybugs.

Pothos plants are easy to care for and are an attractive addition to any home. With the right techniques, they can thrive in both soil and water. Understanding the needs of a Pothos plant at its different stages of growth, as well as when it’s been over or under water, is key to taking care of them successfully.