Pothos houseplants, aka Devil’s ivy, are known for their low maintenance nature. However in unfavorable conditions, even this houseplant can struggle. If your Pothos plant looks like it is dying, don’t give up hope just yet- there may be a way to revive it.
Common causes of dying Pothos houseplants include:
- Over watering
- Bright sunlight
- Pest infestation
- Very low humidity
- Plant disease
Continue reading to learn about how to revive a dying Pothos and how to optimally care for this plant.
Check out this complete guide to Pothos care for more information about this houseplant.
What does a dying Pothos look like?
While it is normal for a houseplant to have a few yellow or brown leaves, if the majority of the plant does not look healthy, that is a poor sign.
Signs of a dying Pothos include:
- Many yellow leaves
- Many brown leaves
- The whole plant is drooping and limp
- Many leaves falling off
- Stunted or disfigured growth
- Dried, curling leaves
Over Watering
Pothos do not like for their roots to sit wet for a long period of time. Over watering leads to root rot, which is one of the most common causes of a dying Pothos plant.
Signs of an over watered Pothos:
- Yellow leaves
- Brown, wilting stems
- Mushy leaves
- Wet soil
Learn about other causes of yellow Pothos leaves here.
In root rot, the excess water drowns the roots, preventing aeration and causing plant death. Instead of a healthy light tan, the roots turn black and slimy as the rot progresses.
Initially, root rot is not visible above the soil. As it progresses, the plant turns brown and yellow and starts wilting.
To save an over watered plant, follow these steps:
- Gently remove the plant from it’s pot and clean the soil off it’s roots.
- With a clean pair of garden shears or scissors, cut off the dead roots, cleaning the scissors between each cut.
- Cut off any damaged leaves.
- Let the roots dry in fresh air for a few hours.
- Clean the pot with soap and warm water. If the pot does not have a drainage hole, get another pot that does.
- Fill the pot with new, fresh soil. Add in perlite and orchid bark to increase drainage (about 1/3 of the soil).
- Place the plant in a sunny, well-ventilated room. Avoid watering for 2 weeks.
Do not mist the plant during this time because the extra humidity worsens rot.
Preventing root rot
Always check that the top 2 inches of soil are dry to touch before watering. Similar other houseplants, Pothos do not like soaking wet soil.
When watering, pour water at the base of the plant and water until the soil is damp, but before it is soaking. Discard any water that collected in the saucer so that the plant does not stay wet for too long.
In addition to watering properly, a well-draining soil and pot with a drainage hole are crucial. Plant the Pothos in well-draining soil mix with a few cups of perlite or orchid bark mixed in to increase aeration of the soil and prevent water retention.
A terracotta pot with a drainage hole is also helpful. Make sure the pot is an appropriate size for the plant. In too large of a pot, the extra soil retains water and soaks the roots. On the other hand, too small of a pot prevents growth.
Note: Pothos plants require less frequent watering in cooler temperatures or low-light environments. Plants require more frequent watering in brighter light or warmer temperatures.
Bright Sunlight
Pothos tolerate and low light, but their leaves burn if exposed to direct bright light.
In variegated varieties of Pothos, the white or cream colored areas are more susceptible to burning than the green due to a lack of chlorophyll pigment. These lighter colored areas turn brown first.
Learn more about variegated plants.
These brown spots are due to sun burn. Once a plant is burned, it will not turn back to normal even if moved to lower light. This is especially likely if the plant is right next to a south-facing window as they provide very bright light.
Move the plant away from the window, or draw a sheer curtain so that it receives indirect light to prevent further damage.
Sun burn is especially likely if the plant was kept outdoors in the hot sun. If this occurs, bring it back inside.
Remove any brown leaves from the plant.
If you notice the plant turning pale, this is an early sign it is receiving too much light- move it farther away.
Pest infestation
Insects suck on the plant sap, leading to distorted growth, discolored leaves, and leaf drop.
Mealy bugs and scale are two of the most common insects causing Pothos problems. Unchecked infestations lead to plant death, so it is important to catch them early.
- Mealy bugs are small white bugs that look fuzzy. They will leave a sticky, cotton substance on the leaves and cause disfigured growth. They are often found lurking on the undersides of leaves.
- Scale bugs are tan oval-shaped bugs that like warm, dry environments. Scale encourage the growth of sooty mold, which is a black fungus that affects the plant’s photosynthesis. They lurk under leaves and at leaf-stem joints.
Pests spread quickly to neighboring plants, so be sure to check any houseplants next to the Pothos as well and treat as necessary.
To get rid of an infestation, follow the following steps:
- Isolate any infected plants so the pests do not spread.
- Cut off any damaged areas of the plant.
- Gently scrub the plant under a shower hose with insecticidal soap. The steady stream of water helps dislodge the insects.
- Dab any bugs that remain with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
- Spray the plant with diluted neem oil or rubbing alcohol. Make sure to spray under the leaves and where the leaves meet the stem. Note: do not put the plant in direct sunlight while it is being sprayed with rubbing alcohol as this burns the leaves.
- Repeat the application of this spray once every 4 to 5 days for several weeks.
It takes a while to completely remove an infestation, so be patient!
To prevent a infestation, check the Pothos and other houseplants regularly for insects. Especially check any new plants you are bringing home from outside as these are common sources. Avoid over watering as it creates an environment promoting pest spread.
Very low humidity
Brown, crispy looking leaves are a sign of low humidity.
Pothos thrive in humid environments. Increase the humidity in one of the following ways:
- Keep a humidifier nearby- this is one of the best ways to increase moisture, and your other humidity-loving houseplants will thrive as well.
- Fill a shallow tray with pebbles and water, then place the pot inside (make sure the pot is on the pebbles, and does not sit directly in the water).
- Mist the air around the plant with a spray bottle (note: do not excessively mist the leaves or leave them soaking wet because it causes bacterial disease. The moisture should evaporate off the leaves within a few minutes and the leaves should not remain wet).
Avoid placing the Pothos next to any heating or cooling vents because they dry out the air.
Plant disease
Certain bacterial or fungal diseases lead to plant death. Plant disease is promoted by excessively misting leaves and poor air circulation. When small puddles of water remain on the leaves after misting, it promotes damage.
Snip off the unhealthy leaves with gardening shears, cleaning the shears between each cut. Use a plant fungicide as directed. As a home remedy, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of mineral oil in a spray bottle of water. Spray this over the infected areas.
To prevent diseases, avoid frequently misting the leaves and keep your plant in a room with good air circulation. If you get water on the leaves, wipe it off with a tissue and do not let it sit.
What is the whole plant is unhealthy?
If the plant has very little healthy growth, take one of the branches that is still green and propagate that. While you cannot save the entire plant, you can grow a new one from the cutting.
To propagate your Pothos, follow these steps:
- Take a stem cutting several inches long of healthy green tissue.
- 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 filled with new, well-draining soil and care for the plant as normal.
Pothos Care Tips
Of course, the easiest way to avoid any problems is to provide the Pothos with ideal conditions from the start.
| 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 |
In summary for how to revive a dying Pothos plant…
Signs of a dying Pothos include: yellow or brown leaves, drooping stems, distorted or stunted growth, leaves that easily fall off, or dried up/curling leaves.
Causes of dying Pothos houseplants include: over watering, bright sunlight, pest infestation, very low humidity or bacterial disease.
If your Pothos appears unwell, do not give up hope just yet. Pothos are resilient houseplants and by solving the underlying problem, it may be able to bounce back.
If the majority of the plant looks unhealthy, take a piece that is still healthy and green and propagate that. While you cannot save the whole plant, you can grow a new one from the cutting.
The easiest way to prevent this problem is by providing the Pothos with it’s ideal growing conditions to keep the plant happy.
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