Pothos houseplants (Epipremnum aureum) are one of the easiest plants to grow and perfect for those who want to add a low-maintenance plant to their collection. In fact, Pothos is nicknamed Devil’s vine because it is that hard to kill. This plant is a member of the Araceae family and native to Southeast Asia. It is a long, trailing vine with glossy heart-shaped leaves that are often variegated with white or yellow. Learn everything you need to know about Pothos plant care with this article.
For other plant specific care guides, check here.
| Name | Epipremnum aureum Devil’s vine, devil’s ivy, silver vine | |
| Sunlight | Prefers bright, indirect light, but is able to tolerate low-light environments Avoid direct sunlight because it burns the leaves | |
| Water | Water about once a week when the top two inches of soil are dry. Pothos prefer moist, but not soaking, soil | |
| Soil | Well-draining, porous soil | |
| Temperature | 70 to 90 °F (21 to 32 °C). Avoid temperatures cooler than 50 °F (10 °C). | |
| Humidity | Thrives in humid environments. If the air is too dry, it could lead to brown leaf tips | |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings | |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets and children |
Pothos Size & Growth
Pothos grow up to 30 feet long, though they usually are kept shorter. This is a trailing vine plant and looks great hanging from a basket or cascading down a high shelf. It can also be trained to grow along posts or trellises if you desire that appearance.
Vines that are kept very long may grow tangled with one another, so straighten them out every once in a while.
You may notice the stems turning bare as they grow- if this occurs, cut them back to the soil level and a new stem will sprout in it’s place.
Common Pothos Varieties
There are several types of Pothos, each with their own unique appearance. Common varieties include:
- Golden Pothos: green leaves with splashes of yellow gold
- Neon: bright golden-yellow leaves without variegation. The leaves darken in color as the plant ages
- Marble queen: swirled green and white leaves
- Silver Satin: dark green leaves speckled with silver
- Pearls and Jade: leaves with green and white splotches. This variety tends to grow slower than others
- Cebu blue: arrow-shaped leaves with a metallic blue-green sheen
- Manjula Pothos: wide, heart-shaped leaves with greens and whites that blend into each other
Pothos Sunlight
Pothos prefer bright, indirect light. An east or west facing window is best because it provides enough light without burning the plant. It tolerates low light, but grows slower and remains a smaller size than if it received more sun.
Avoid direct sunlight because that causes leaf burn (brown spots on the leaves). If you notice the foliage becoming paler, that is an early sign the plant is receiving too much light. Move the plant farther away from the window, or cover the window with a sheer curtain. Leaf burn is especially common if the plant is kept in front of south facing windows as they provide very bright light.
Variegated Pothos varieties may revert back to a green color if they do not receive enough sun. They are also more susceptible to leaf burn if exposed to direct sunlight, so it is important to have a good balance of light for these plants.
Learn more about variegated plants here
Dust the leaves frequently so the plant can absorb sunlight.
Pothos Watering
Pothos prefer to have their soil completely dry out in between watering. Check that the top few inches of soil are dry before you give your plant a drink. Over watering leads to root rot.
Water your Pothos once every one to two weeks and adjust the frequency as needed based on your home’s conditions. Plants in warmer, brighter rooms require more frequent watering than those in cooler, darker ones.
Do not mist the plant or let water sit on the leaves for too long because that leads to rot. If you do get some water on these areas, wipe it off quickly.
Yellow or brown leaves that fall off easily are often a sign of over watering. Learn more about what to do if that occurs here. On the other hand, brown, crispy leaves are a sign your plant is too dry. If this is the case, give your plant a long drink if the soil feels dry.
Pothos Soil
In addition to watering appropriately, a well-draining houseplant potting soil helps to prevent rot as well. Adding perlite to the soil creates a good mix that promotes drainage.
Pothos Temperature
Pothos do well in temperatures between 70 to 90 °F (21 to 32 °C), Do not keep the plant in temperatures lower than 50 °F (10 °C) as it damages the plant.
While the plant enjoys high humidity, it does fine even with drier air.
Keep the plant away from vents or windows where they are exposed to a cold draft.
Repotting Pothos
When Pothos become root-bound, it’s growth slows down and the leaves droop. You may also notice roots poking through the soil, or out the drainage hole. This is a sign that the plant needs a new home.
Choose a pot that is about two inches wider in diameter and fill with fresh soil. Avoid a pot that is larger than that as the excess soil retains too much water and drowns the roots, which causes rot.
How to Repot Pothos Plants
Carefully remove the plant from the old pot and brush the soil off it’s roots. Prune any rotten or damaged roots with a clean pair of shears. Fill the new pot with fresh, well-draining potting soil and secure the houseplant in place. Wait a week after repotting before watering again to give the plant time to settle in it’s new home.
Fertilizing Pothos
Pothos are not particularly picky about fertilization. Fertilize once a month from the spring to summer with a diluted fertilizer.
Do not fertilize more often than that because it leads to fertilizer burn from the excess salts. If you notice salt buildup, avoid fertilizing for a few months and thoroughly water the plant to flush out the soil.
Pothos Propagation
Propagate Pothos by plant cuttings. Plant propagation is a great way to trim back large plants and add shape, while making new plants!
- Take a stem cutting at least 5 inches long with several leaves.
- Fill a vase with room temperature water. Place the new cutting in the vase and let it sit for a few weeks.
- Keep the vase in a warm, humid area with indirect light to promote new growth. Replace the water frequently.
- Once there is enough new root growth, transfer your cutting to a pot and care for the plant as normal.
You can keep the cutting in a new pot, or put it back in the original to grow a fuller plant.
Pothos plants can also be divided when repotting if you desire smaller plants.
Pothos Toxicity
Pothos contain calcium oxalate crystals, which leads to gastrointestinal discomfort or skin irritation with prolonged exposure. Place the plant out of reach of children and pets, and wear gloves while handling.
Learn more about Pothos toxicity here
Infestation
While infestations are not common with Pothos, they can still occur.
If you notice pests on your Pothos, immediately move it away from any neighboring plants so they do not spread.
Wash the plant in the sink under a strong stream of water with an insecticidal soap. Spray the plant with rubbing alcohol or diluted neem oil. Directly dab the insects with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Continue to spray once every few days until all signs of the infestation are gone, which may take several weeks.
Pothos Care Problems
1. Pothos leaves turning brown
Pothos could turn brown due to:
- Over watering
- Too much direct light
- Low humidity
- Disease
- Fertilizing too often
- Pests
- Temperature extremes (too hot or too cold)
Learn how to fix each of these problems in more detail here
2. Limp, droopy Pothos leaves
Common causes of limp leaves include:
- Under watering
- Over watering or root rot
- Dry air
- Cold temperatures
Learn more about drooping Pothos leaves
3. Yellow Pothos leaves
Common causes of yellow Pothos leaves:
- Over watering
- Natural growth
- Low humidity
- Improper lighting
- Improper fertilization
Learn more about yellow Pothos leaves
Note: If only a few of the bottom leaves are turning yellow, this is a natural aging process of the plant and nothing has to be done. However, if many leaves are yellow and the plant has other issues, there is an underlying problem.
In summary for Pothos plant care…
Provide Pothos with indirect sunlight, water when the soil is dry, and keep at room temperature. This easy-going vine makes a great addition to any room, with little effort on your part.
Have any more questions about Pothos plant care? Let me know in the comments below!
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