The pothos plant, also known as golden pothos, devil’s vine and devil’s ivy, has the scientific name Epipremnum aureum and belongs to the Araceae family. It is a tropical vine from the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean that can easily grow in a container and hang from a hanging basket. Pothos plants are among the most low-maintenance houseplants, making them an ideal choice for beginners. Pothos plants are extremely popular among gardeners for their green leaves, white or yellow spots, and thick, large, heart-shaped leaves. Pothos plants can grow very quickly, up to 12-18 inches in a month. Generally, these plants can be mildly toxic to humans and pets.

How to Grow Pothos

If you want to grow a plant in your home with minimal effort and care, then pothos would be an ideal choice. Pothos Plants basic care is very simple. These plants can adapt to almost any environment. They generally prefer bright, indirect light but can also thrive in low light. Potho can grow in dry soil and water. They grow best in nutrient-rich soils but can also survive in nutrient-poor soils. Therefore, with proper maintenance and minimal care, you can grow a pothos plant in your home. Below are some guidelines for proper growing of a pothos plant:

Location & Sunlight

Pothos plants can thrive in both bright indirect light and low light conditions. When the plant receives the necessary sunlight, it develops beautiful heart-shaped leaves that are more developed and attractive. However, direct sunlight can cause leaf scorch of pothos plants. You can place the plant near a bright window on the northwest side where it can get bright light, and to protect it from direct sunlight, you can use a sheer curtain as a light filter. Additionally, since pothos plants can grow in shady areas, they can be placed in the living room, bathroom or office.

Soil and Fertilizer

Generally, all plants can prefer dry or waterlogged soil. But it is completely different with Poths. They can thrive in both water and dry soil conditions, making them more popular among gardeners as houseplants. Generally, a well-drained soil mix is excellent for pothos plants, containing organic matter such as peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, etc. However, if you choose to grow them in water or hydroponic media, they will still do well. Pothos plants generally prefer slightly acidic soil to neutral soil, with an ideal pH range of 6.0-6.8.

Pothos plants do not require excessive fertilization, but applying fertilizer once a month during the growing season can help maintain their health and proper leaf development. Avoid fertilizing during the winter months. Although organic fertilizers are preferred for pothos plants, you can also use synthetic fertilizers sparingly. Applying too much fertilizer can cause leaf burn, so it is essential to apply the right amount of fertilizer according to the plant’s needs.

Watering

Pothos plants require water to grow. It is essential to water your plants before the soil dries out completely, as dry soil can cause the leaves to dry out or turn brown. Generally, during the growing season (spring), plants need more water. Watering once a week is best at this time. However, the water demand of plants decreases during monsoon or winter season. Therefore, you can reduce the frequency of watering during this time to prevent root rot, which can occur if the plants are overwatered.

Temperature and Humidity

Pothos plants prefer an ideal temperature range of 56°F to 75°F. Temperatures below 50 degrees can be harmful to plants, inhibiting their growth and proper leaf development. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the right temperature in your home for your plants. Low temperatures can inhibit the growth and development of plant roots and leaves.

Pothos plants generally thrive in moderate humidity, but slightly lower humidity is acceptable for their growth. Generally, the ideal humidity level for pothos plants at home is 50% to 60%. To increase the humidity of your plant, you can select an ideal location (such as a bathroom) where humidity levels are naturally high. Additionally, you can regularly spray the leaves with water to increase humidity, or place water in the bottom of the plant pot and small rocks around the tray. As the water evaporates, it will create a moist microclimate around the plant, which will help the surrounding foliage grow.

Pests Control

Pothos plants are generally less affected by insects. But many times mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, whiteflies and other pests can sometimes affect them. These insects feed on plant sap and often settle under leaves to begin feeding. To rid the plant of this pest, you can use insecticidal soap spray or neem oil. Additionally, if pest problems persist, you can gently wipe the foliage with a cotton swab or cloth dipped in alcohol. Alternatively, you can use a mild chemical spray to control the infestation.

Types of Pothos

There are about 65 species of pothos plants in the world. Each tree species varies in leaf size, shape, height and life cycle. However, there are some hybrid species of the pothos plant that are more popular with tea gardeners and display white, yellow or light green heart-shaped leaves. Not all species of pothos can be grown indoors, there are certain species that are suitable for growing indoors. Some popular pothos plants are discussed below:

Marble Queen

Marble Quince is a species of pathos that belongs to the Araceae family. Marble Queen Pothos plants are among the easiest to grow indoors and help bring out the beauty of the home with low maintenance. Marble Queen plants have beautiful white, green and lavender foliage and flowers in white and green. These vine-like plants grow three to ten feet tall. Marble Queen Pothos plants can generally be poisonous to pets, so keep the plants out of reach of pets. Marble Queen can be grown indoors with bright light, water, warm humidity and temperature, improved potting mix, fertilizer and little care.

Pearl and Jade

Pear and jade plants are the most luxurious of the pothos species scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum and belonging to the Aracea family. Pearl and jade plants have lovely green, white and gray leaves and white and green flowers. These plants can grow 6 to 10 feet indoors. These species of plants can generally be mildly toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach of pets.   It can be grown indoors with sunlight, level and humidity, ideal potting soil, fertilizer and little care.

Neon Pothos

Neon Pothos plants are the most cultivated and popular of the Pothos genus. These plants are a top choice among gardeners due to their dark green, heart-shaped leaves and tendrils. These plants grow six to eight feet tall and 12 to 40 feet wide. These house plants prefer bright light draining potting mix, moderate temperature and humidity. Neon Pothos plants are low maintenance and can be grown indoors with just the right amount of nutrients, regular pruning and little care. Generally these plants can be mildly toxic to humans and pets, so keep the plants out of reach of pets.

Silver Satin

The scientific name of silver satin pothos plant is Scindapsus pictus and it is also known as silk pothos, silver philodendron. Plants of this species grow like vines and can grow from four to ten feet tall and up to 20 feet wide. The leaves of these plants are heart-shaped, green with silver and gray spots. These plants grow well in low light and semi-arid temperatures. Plants are easy to grow indoors with a good potting mix with good drainage, moderate watering, fertilizer and little care. These plants can be grown like vines on your balcony , window and furniture, which will give an attractive look. Silver satin can be toxic to pets, so plants can be grown out of reach of pets.

Pothos Pruning

Pruning Pothos plants is essential for controlling their size and promoting healthier growth. Regular pruning encourages bushier foliage by stimulating new shoots to develop from the cut stems. Ensure your tools are sterilized before pruning to prevent the spread of disease. Remove any leggy or excessively long vines to maintain a balanced shape. Trimming back sparse stems helps the plant focus its energy on producing fuller, lusher growth. Consistent pruning also prevents the plant from becoming too top-heavy, which can cause stems to droop or break.

Propagating Pothos

Propagating Pothos is easy and rewarding, allowing you to create new plants from cuttings. Here are some steps you can follow to propagate pothos:

1. Select a Healthy Vine: Choose a healthy vine that is 4-6 inches long, ensuring it has several leaves and at least one node (a small bump where roots will grow).
2. Make the Cut: Using sharp, sterilized scissors or pruning shears, cut the vine just below a node. This is where the new roots will develop.
3. Remove Lower Leaves: Strip off the leaves near the node, leaving at least two leaves on the cutting.
4. Rooting in Water: Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the node is submerged while the leaves remain above the water. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh.
5. Rooting in Soil: Alternatively, you can plant the cutting directly into moist, well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until roots develop.
6. Provide Proper Conditions: Keep the cutting in a warm, bright spot with indirect sunlight. In a few weeks, roots should begin to form.
7. Transplant: Once the roots are a few inches long (if rooting in water), transplant the new Pothos into a pot with soil. If you’ve rooted directly in soil, simply continue regular care.

Potting and Repotting for Pothos 

For pothos plants, it is essential to choose a pot with good drainage holes according to the size of the plant, so that excess water can drain out. A mixture of organic matter such as vermiculite, perlite, coco coir, peat moss etc. along with improved soil and potting mix is essential for a well drainage system. After adding the soil and potting mix to the pot, carefully place the plant on its feet and apply soil, water and fertilizer to the base of the plant, tamp the soil well by hand. Then move the container to a bright place.

Generally, pothos plants need repotting every one to one and a half years. When you notice that your plants are outgrowing their current pots and the roots are shrinking, select a new pot with proper drainage for the size of the current plant. After adding the potting mix to the selected pot, carefully transfer it from the old pot to the new pot with the plant’s roots. Repotting should be done during the growing season (spring), it should be avoided during winter. Repotting gives your plants enough room to grow and the new soil and potting mix provides more nutrients for the plants.

Common Problems with Pothos

Pothos plants can be easily grown indoors with just a little care. Pathos plants can experience setbacks such as yellow leaves, brown leaves and leaf drop during the growing process. These problems with pothos plants can occur for a variety of reasons, but they are easily managed. Below, we will discuss various Pothos plant diseases and their remedies:

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellowing leaves on pothos is a common problem that can be caused by a number of reasons. Due to poor drainage and overwatering, the roots of pothos plants can begin to rot, causing the leaves to gradually turn yellow. To combat this, it is important to ensure proper drainage and avoid over watering the plant. Additionally, during the growing season, pothos plants need adequate nutrients, so applying the required fertilizer can help prevent yellowing of the leaves. 

Browning Leaves

There are other reasons why pothos leaves turn yellow. If your plant is under direct sunlight, sunburn can cause brown spots on the leaves. Consider moving your plant to a shaded area or providing indirect light. Low humidity can cause leaves to turn yellow. You can use a humidifier to increase humidity levels for better growth. 

Dropping Leaves

Several environmental factors can cause your pothos plant to drop its leaves. Environmental stressors such as abnormal temperature, humidity or light changes can cause leaf drop. Additionally, overwatering and poor drainage can cause root rot, causing leaf drop. Therefore, it is essential to adjust watering habits according to plant needs and avoid overwatering.

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