Pothos Plant Care: A Complete Guide To Grow This Indoor Plant

Pothos plants are among the easiest and most low-maintenance indoor plants. These tropical plants are popularly grown indoors and are a great choice for beginners. Pothos are vining plants that are native to the tropical regions of the South Pacific. Even though pothos doesn’t bloom, it makes up for it with its vibrant foliage that comes in various colors and patterns.

Pothos plant care is easy, and the high adaptability of these fast-growing plants makes them a great addition to have in your indoor garden. Moreover, pothos is a shade-tolerant plant that is perfect for low-light areas in your home and offices.

This plant is also great for indoor spaces because of its air-purifying abilities. The ideal location to grow pothos indoors is where it can receive bright and indirect light away from cold drafts. So without further ado, let’s explore how you can grow and care for the pothos plant.

Pothos Plant Care

Pothos plant care is very easy, as this plant has no special needs and even thrives on neglect.

Water

Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out before watering the pothos plant. Keeping the soil overwatered or soggy can lead to root rot. In its ideal condition, pothos will demand more frequent watering every week or two. Reduce the watering in winter.

Pothos plant care is easy when it comes to watering, as this plant will tell you it’s thirsty by drooping its leaves. However, don’t let the leaves become shriveled or completely dry before watering.

Light 

Pothos can be grown in both sun and shade. Moreover, these hardy plants can also thrive in low-light or areas with fluorescent lights. However, for better pothos plant care, keep these plants in a location with bright and indirect sunlight.

Soil

You can use any ordinary potting mix suitable for indoor plants for pothos. Make sure that the soil is well-draining and has a neutral to acidic pH from 6.1 to 6.8.

Temperature and Humidity

Pothos should always be kept at temperatures above 50°F, ideally between 65°F and 75°F. Although they can tolerate low humidity, they thrive in high humidity. Temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable for this plant because of its adaptability. Bathrooms and kitchens are excellent places for pothos to live since they prefer high humidity. Periodically place the plant next to a humidifier.

Fertilizer

Although potting soil contains extremely few nutrients, pothos are not heavy feeders. You only need to apply a balanced fertilizer every two months. During the winter, when the plant is dormant, it is best to avoid feeding it.

Potting and Repotting

Your pothos will eventually become pot-bound. No matter how much or how frequently you water, drooping leaves indicate that the roots have filled the pot. Examine the roots by carefully lifting the plant out or looking for roots sprouting through drainage holes.

The plant can be repotted into a container that is one or two sizes larger in diameter and depth once it reaches this stage. To aid in the plant’s recovery, use fresh potting soil and give it plenty of water. If at all feasible, wait until the plant is actively growing before repotting. Use a terracotta, ceramic, metal, or plastic pot that has enough drainage. Consider using terracotta, which helps wick away moisture, if your pothos resides in a low-light region.

How to Propagate the Pothos Plant?

Here’s how you can propagate the pothos plant –

• Cut off a section of the stem. Remove a healthy stem with three or more leaves using a sharp, sterile pruner. A half-inch or an inch below the lowest leaf, make an angled cut.
• Take off the lowest leaf. The lowest leaf on the stalk should be removed; the other leaves do not need to be removed.
• Put it in water. Don’t let the remaining leaves come into contact with the water when you put the stem in a jar or vase.
• Await the roots. Within a week to ten days, new roots appear. Transplant cuttings into pots as soon as the roots are a few inches long.
• Pot in the ground. Keep the soil damp but not soggy and place pots in an area with good indirect light.

Common Problems with the Pothos Plant

Here are some common problems that pothos is susceptible to – 

• Pests – Although pothos is often pest-free, it can draw mealybugs, scale, whiteflies, and spider mites. To get rid of pests, use a gentle, clean cloth; if there is an infestation, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Diseases – Bacterial leaf spot and root rot, which are frequently brought on by overwatering, damp soil, and insufficient light, can also kill plants. Try cutting back damaged roots and repotting in fresh, dry soil if you have root rot. You should also lessen the frequency of watering.
• Leaf Browning –  A number of problems, such as excessive watering or insufficient light, can result in browning leaves. Dry, crunchy brown leaves are a sign of underwatering or low humidity.
• Yellow Leaves – As long as the plant is producing new growth, the odd yellow leaf is harmless; nevertheless, abrupt or extensive yellowing should be taken seriously. Overwatering or a bacterial or fungal disease may be the cause of root rot.

Conclusion

Pothos plant care is very easy; therefore, this plant is great for any indoor setup. Moreover, being so adaptable and easy to grow, this plant is also great for beginners. The vibrant and unique foliage of this plant contributes to its aesthetics and helps light up any indoor space. Therefore, make sure to grow this amazing plant at home and explore more such plants by downloading the Plantora app. This completely free plant care is a must-have for every gardener to explore and grow a variety of plants easily.