Pothos Plant Care: The Easiest Houseplant for Everyone
- Staff Desk
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
Do you want a beautiful indoor plant that is nearly impossible to kill? Then you need a Pothos plant.
The Pothos is famous for being one of the best and easiest plants to grow indoors. It is perfect for beginners and busy people alike. It can handle a little neglect and still look lush and green. This article will tell you everything you need to know to make your Pothos thrive.
Start With an Easy Introduction
A Pothos plant is a type of tropical vine loved by homeowners everywhere. Its scientific name is Epipremnum/aureum. It goes by many common names, like Golden Pothos because of the bright, yellow streaks on its leaves. It is also often called Devil’s Ivy. It earned this nickname because it is so incredibly hard to kill—it seems to thrive even in the darkest corners, much like the devil himself! The Pothos is one of those special plants that makes your house feel instantly homier. It brings life and color into any room without demanding much time from you.
What Makes Pothos a Great Houseplant?
The Pothos is popular for a simple reason: it looks stunning and asks for very little in return.
Long, Trailing Vines: The plant grows beautiful, long, trailing vines. This makes it perfect for hanging baskets, high shelves, or letting it climb a trellis or pole. The vines can grow to several feet long, making a dramatic green statement.
Heart-Shaped Leaves: Its leaves are glossy, deep green, and shaped like a heart. Some varieties have bright streaks of gold, white, or lime green, adding beautiful color and variety.
Tolerates Many Light Conditions: This is its superpower! The Pothos can grow in almost any light setting, from low light to bright, indirect light. If you have a room with a small window or a corner far from the light, Pothos will likely still be happy there.
Air Cleaning: Like many houseplants, Pothos helps clean the air in your home by filtering out common toxins.
A Pothos is a very forgiving plant. If you forget to water it for a week, it will forgive you. If you move it to a darker spot, it will still grow. This is why it is truly a great choice for everyone.
Light Needs: Finding the Right Spot
Pothos likes bright, indirect light the most. This means a spot near a window where the light is strong, but the sun's rays don't actually touch the leaves. In this ideal light, your Pothos will grow quickly, and the colored parts (like the golden streaks) will be very bright.
It will still grow in low light. If you place your Pothos in a room with only a little light, it will be fine. However, it will grow much slower, and the colored parts of the leaves may fade to solid green.
Avoid direct hot sun. Never place your Pothos where the hot afternoon sun hits its leaves directly. This strong light can act like a magnifying glass and burn the leaves, leaving brown or white scorched spots. A little morning sun is usually okay, but too much is bad.
The best rule of thumb: Find a spot that is bright but shaded, and your Pothos will thank you.
Watering Made Easy
The biggest mistake people make with Pothos is giving it too much water. It is better to give it too little water than too much.
Follow this simple watering schedule:
Check the Soil First: Put your finger into the soil. Water the plant only when the top of the soil feels dry. This is usually about 1 to 2 weeks for most homes, but it depends on the temperature and light.
Water Deeply: When you do water, soak the soil completely until water starts to run out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.10
Let it Drain: Let the pot sit for a few minutes to drain completely. Do not let the plant sit in a saucer full of water for a long time—this is where problems begin.
Do not keep the soil soggy all the time. When the soil stays soggy, the roots cannot breathe, and they begin to rot.11 Too much water can cause root problems, which will quickly kill your plant.
When in doubt, wait one more day to water.
Temperature and Humidity
Pothos are tropical plants, which means they prefer conditions similar to a warm climate.
Pothos likes warm places inside the home. They are happiest when the temperature is between 65°F and 75°F (18°C and 24°C). If you are comfortable, your Pothos is probably comfortable too!
Avoid Cold Drafts: Keep your plant away from cold windows, drafty doors, or air conditioning vents, especially in the winter. Cold temperatures can damage the leaves.
Normal home humidity is fine. The average humidity in most houses is perfectly acceptable for Pothos.
It grows a little better with moist air. If you live in a very dry climate, giving your Pothos a quick spray (misting) with water once a week, or putting it near a humidifier, can make its leaves look even lusher.16
Simple Care Tips for a Lush Look
Pothos is a low-maintenance plant, but a little regular care keeps it looking its best.17
Easy Pothos Tips:
Trim long vines to keep the plant looking full. When the vines get very long and leggy, the top of the pot might start to look empty. Simply trim the long vines back. This encourages the plant to grow more leaves near the soil, making the whole plant look bushy and full.
Dust the Leaves: Over time, dust collects on the glossy leaves. Use a damp cloth to wipe the leaves clean once a month. Clean leaves can absorb light much better!
Propagate New Plants Easily: You can grow new plants from cuttings in water. Just cut a piece of vine that has a node (a little bump where the leaf meets the stem). Place the cutting in a glass of water, and roots will grow! This is a great way to share your plant or fill another corner of your home.
Where to Place It: Pothos is great for brightening and greening up many rooms, including living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and even bathrooms (where the humidity helps). Place it where its beautiful vines can trail freely.
Safety Note: Keep It Out of Reach
While Pothos is easy to care for, it is important to remember this short warning:
Pothos is toxic if eaten by pets (dogs, cats) or small children.20
The leaves contain small, sharp crystals that can cause irritation, swelling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep it in a safe place. Place your Pothos on high shelves, in hanging baskets, or in areas your pets and kids cannot reach. This simple step keeps your family safe while you enjoy your beautiful plant.
Troubleshooting (Easy Problems and Fixes)
If your Pothos looks unhappy, don’t worry! It’s probably one of these simple problems, and the fix is easy.
Problem | Simple Look/Sign | The Most Likely Cause | Easy Fix |
Yellowing Leaves | The leaves, especially at the bottom, are turning yellow. | Too much water is the number one cause. The roots are struggling in soggy soil. | Stop watering. Let the soil dry out completely. Reduce watering frequency moving forward. |
Droopy Leaves | The leaves look soft, limp, and the whole plant seems to sag. | The plant needs water. It is very thirsty. | Water it immediately until water runs out of the drainage holes. It should perk up in a few hours. |
Leaves Losing Color | The golden or white stripes on the leaves are fading to a plain green color. | It may need more light (but not direct sun). | Move the plant to a spot that gets brighter, indirect light. |
Brown Edges/Spots | Dry, crispy brown spots or edges on the leaves. | Too much direct sun has burned the leaves, or the air is too dry. | Move it out of direct sun. Increase local humidity by misting. |
FAQs
Can Pothos grow in low light?
Yes, but it grows slower in low light. For the fastest growth and brightest colors, it is best to place it in bright, indirect light.
How often do I water it?
Only water it when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. This will prevent you from accidentally overwatering.
Can I grow a Pothos without soil?
Yes! You can keep Pothos cuttings permanently in a vase of water, as long as you change the water every few weeks. This is a very clean and simple way to enjoy the plant.
Do Pothos plants need fertilizer?
Not often. You can feed it with a balanced liquid houseplant food once or twice during the spring and summer growing seasons, but it does not need much. The Pothos is truly the perfect plant for everyone. It is forgiving, beautiful, and adds a lush, tropical feel to any home. Grab a Pothos, find it a nice bright spot, and enjoy your new, incredibly easy, green companion!