If you are a beginner and want to add greens to your house, add a Pothos plant. It’s not only low maintenance but also provides many health benefits. This tropical vine quickly adapts to different environments. You can train it to climb support or let it trail from a pot or hanging basket.
It’s a very fast-growing plant that adds 12 to 18 inches in length each month. Its draping vines showcase pointed, heart-shaped green leaves, often variegated with white, yellow, or pale green streaks.
Keep in mind that pothos plants are toxic to pets.
Quick Facts About Pothos
- Common Names: Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil’s Vine, Devil’s Ivy
- Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
- Family: Araceae
- Mature Size: 20–40 ft. long, 3–6 ft. wide
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-draining
- Native Areas: Asia
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
- Best Planting Time: Spring and Fall
How To Care For Pothos Plants
If you’re wondering how to care for pothos plants, you are lucky because it’s one of the easiest houseplants to maintain. This tropical vine, native to French Polynesia, thrives in tropical and subtropical forests worldwide.
Outdoors in Asia, Pothos work well as ground cover. Indoors, it ranks among the most popular houseplants in Asia., thanks to its adaptability and low-maintenance needs.
Pothos easily adjust to different environments. It thrives in both bright, indirect light and low-light conditions. You can grow it in dry soil or even in a vase of water. While flourishes in nutrient-rich soil, it does just fine in poor soil.
Light Requirements
Pothos plants don’t do well in direct sunlight, making them a perfect addition to bathrooms and offices in low-light conditions.
Avoid placing Pothos in direct sun, especially in the afternoon, as it causes their heart-shaped leaves to brown and die. Otherwise, they remain flexible with light requirements. Even in total shade, they survive for a while, but a light shade or dappled sun works best.
Highly variegated Pothos, especially those with white markings, may struggle in low light. If they don’t receive enough light, their growth slows, or the leaves turn greener to compensate, as only the green parts produce energy for the plant.
Soil
Pothos plants aren’t picky about soil as long as it drains well. They grow perfectly fine in loamy or sandy soil but avoid clay, which holds too much moisture. Constantly saturated soil will cause Pothos to die.
Pothos are versatile plants that grow in water and soil. Take cuttings from a mother plant, root them in water, and keep them growing indefinitely. It works great for placing Pothos in hard-to-reach spots where they can thrive as long as the water remains fresh.
Pothos also grows well in soil and tolerates moderate dryness without much trouble. However, cuttings struggle to switch between growing mediums. A plant started in the soil won’t thrive if moved to water, and a cutting grown in water will have difficulty adjusting to the soil, especially if it has spent a long time in the water.
Watering
Many plant owners mistake low care for no care, but Pothos still has a few essential needs. Watering is one of them. This plant grows best in spring and summer when the soil stays consistently moist. However, always ensure proper drainage. Pothos won’t tolerate sitting in soggy soil. So, learn how to care for Pothos, so your plant will thrive.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing isn’t a must for Pothos, but it can boost growth. Some experts recommend feeding it during the growing season every other month, while others suggest fertilizing every three months year-round. Either way, Pothos naturally grows fast and will thrive for years without fertilizer. If you feed it, use a balanced liquid fertilizer to keep it healthy and vibrant.
Problems, Pests & Diseases
One more great thing about Pothos? They’re almost completely pest-free. While you might occasionally spot mealybugs or scales, infestations are rare. However, overwatering or planting in clay soil can lead to root rot, and direct afternoon sun will scorch the leaves.
Every part of the plant, from leaves to roots, is toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and livestock. Keep it out of reach of pets and children to avoid accidental poisoning.
Repotting Pothos Plants
Like most plants, Pothos can outgrow its container, so repotting may become necessary. While some experts recommend repotting annually, a Pothos plant thrived in the same container for years without issues.
If you repot, consider keeping the same container and pruning the roots. It allows the plant to receive fresh soil while avoiding the stress of switching containers.
How to Propagate Pothos
If you have a Pothos, expanding your collection is a breeze. Pothos root easily from stem cuttings in water, so you can create as many new plants as you want by simply snipping and rooting the cuttings.
Pothos Varieties
Many unique pothos varieties are available, each with its own charm. The popular ‘Golden Pothos’ stands out with its yellow variegated leaves, but there’s much more to explore.
For deep green foliage, try ‘Jade’. If you prefer bright, vibrant tones, ‘Neon’ features all-yellow leaves, while ‘Lime’ offers a yellow-green mix. One of the most striking varieties, ‘Marble Queen’, showcases stunning white-marbled foliage and stems.
