How To Grow + Care For Pothos Plants
Learn how to grow and care for pothos right here!
If you are looking to add a low-maintenance, durable plant to your indoor jungle, look no further than pothos plants. This fast-growing vine can survive the blackest of thumbs, tolerate neglect, and even thrive in low light.
And with a nick-name like Devil’s Ivy, who could resist?
Let’s explore the different varieties of pothos available, how to care for them, and what makes these indoor vines adaptable and easygoing.
About Pothos
Overflowing with generous green leaves, pothos are frequently featured in the home as hanging plants or cascading from a top shelf.
Likewise, in their native growing environments, they form adhesive aerial roots to climb other trees and plants.
According to the agricultural team at the University of Wisconsin, pothos originally hail from tropical locations spanning from Southeast Asia to the Western Pacific.
They grow as climbing green vines that thrive under the canopy of other trees and vegetation. Using their nimble leaf nodes to spread throughout the jungle, a single vine can reach up to 65 feet in length!
In their native habitat, these plants enjoy higher humidity levels, bright indirect light, and warm temperatures. (It was a personal delight of mine to see pothos growing in the wild in Hawaii).
Popular Varieties
There are dozens of pothos varieties, and an avid collector may be searching for a unique spin on the common green variety.
These affordable houseplants are also easy to find- you can pick up common varieties at any big box store.
We love Cebu blue pothos for its silver-blue spade-shaped leaves and unique growing habits. The popular Jade variety features irresistible dark green leaves with a charming heart-shaped leaf form.
Golden pothos is a popular variety that features yellow-green leaves with golden highlights.
You can find unique varieties of this plant on Etsy.
Growing Conditions
To thrive, pothos plants crave conditions similar to their native growing environment.
They need high humidity, bright indirect light, consistent watering, and quality soil.
Remember that these plants are known to be flexible and forgiving, though in less than ideal conditions problems may arise. Try to meet as many of the plant’s needs as possible!
Soil
The best potting mix for pothos is a loose, well-draining soil full of nutrients. In their natural habitat they root in soil full of decaying matter debris.
This soil medium must be replicated for the houseplant pothos.
Soil should be slightly acidic and full of nutrients. This soil medium keeps the plant well-fed and allows excess water to drain completely from the roots, eliminating fungal disease and root rot.
A custom potting soil can easily be created by mixing equal parts of perlite, potting soil, and vermiculite.
Light
Most pothos varieties can tolerate various lighting conditions, but they all do best when grown in bright, indirect light.
Luckily, many varieties of this vine can thrive in low light conditions, making them one of the most popular houseplants for dim areas like bathrooms.
Pothos do not appreciate direct sunlight as the harsh rays burn the plant leaves.
Choose an area in the home with bright ambient light, such as a north-facing window.
If you need to keep your plant in an area that receives bright sunlight, space it at least eight feet away from the light source to prevent the leaves from scorching.
Pothos growing in darker rooms will grow slower than plants placed in bright, indirect light. If your houseplant is in a dim location and not showing new growth, move it to a brighter area to stimulate growth.
Pothos are famous for their ability to grow in artificial light, making them an everyday office companion. Give them at least 10 hours of artificial light to help them thrive.
Water
Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering. Then, water your plant deeply and evenly using a chemical-free water source.
Using a gentle stream of chemical free water, evenly water around all parts of the plant; continue to do so until you see moisture draining from the bottom of the pot.
Wait to water your plant again until the top two inches of soil are dry. The leaves may be slightly droopy at this point, but they will perk right up when watered again.
The trickiest part of watering pothos is not overwatering the plant. Many people love to hover over their houseplants, drowning them in frequent showers.
Too much water combined with warm and humid conditions can encourage fungal disease and root rot. When left unchecked, these soggy conditions can kill your plant.
Humidity
These tropical plants need moderately high humidity levels, around 50-60%.
This level may be higher than most home environments, but there are a few tricks to ensuring your pothos plant receives plenty of moisture in the air.
The first humidity hack is to place your plant in a place with naturally high humidity- like a bathroom or kitchen.
If that is not possible, consider running a humidifier specifically for your plants. And to encourage an indoor microclimate full of humidity, cluster your plants all together in the same location- like a sun room.
You can use a hygrometer to measure the moisture in your home air accurately. Humidity levels can be worth tweaking as low humidity can lead to yellowing leaves, drooping foliage, and other problems.
Fertilizer
While pothos are not heavy feeders, they will use up the available nutrients in their potting soil. In the wild, these plants have access to a buffet of nutrients available in the constant decaying matter of the forest floor.
When grown in a container, these nutrients quickly get used up as the plant fuels their cascading foliage.
You can supplement the nutrients in the soil by fertilizing with a gentle, well-balanced liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2. Apply twice monthly for best results.
Fertilizing your plant will prevent leaf discoloration and encourage the growth of the rich green foliage we all know and love.
Final Thoughts
Pothos are a very popular houseplant, and for good reason. These flexible plants need just enough light to thrive, making them versatile throughout the home.
Their cascading leaves are on trend with the lush houseplant aesthetic, and if you get busy jet-setting, the plant will patiently await your return without too much fuss.
It’s time to rescue this low-maintenance, low-light plant from its popular use in the 1980s mall era and set pothos on its rightful throne as a splendid modern addition to houseplant decor.