Pothos Care Guide
Pothos Care Guide
Pothos plants are the ultimate easy-care houseplants. Known for their long, trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, pothos thrive in various conditions, making them a favorite for beginners and seasoned plant enthusiasts alike. Their adaptability and beauty make them a staple in any home.
Quick Care Summary
Light: Bright, indirect light is best, but they tolerate low light well. Avoid intense direct sunlight.
Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Ensure excess water drains away.
Humidity: Average indoor humidity is fine, but higher humidity encourages faster growth.
Temperature: 65–80°F. Keep away from cold drafts.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix (available at Plant Bus!).
Food: Feed every 4–6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Care Instructions
Light
Pothos plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight, but they’re highly adaptable and can thrive in low light conditions. Keep them out of intense, direct sunlight, as it can scorch their leaves. If the leaves lose variegation, move the plant to a brighter location.
Watering
Water your pothos when the top inch of soil feels dry. Use room-temperature water and pour evenly across the soil. Allow the pot to drain completely, as pothos dislike sitting in water. Overwatering is the most common issue, so let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.
Humidity
Pothos are versatile and do well in average indoor humidity. However, they’ll grow faster and look even better in higher humidity. If needed:
Place near a humidifier or set up a pebble tray.
Group with other plants to increase ambient humidity.
Soil
Use a well-draining potting mix that holds some moisture but doesn’t stay soggy. At Plant Bus, we recommend our premium mix with coco coir, perlite, and compost for happy, healthy pothos.
Moss Poles
Pothos plants are great for moss poles. While older aerial roots may not attach to new moss poles, young, white, and not-dried roots can establish if attached to a sphagnum moss pole. Avoid coir support poles, as plants cannot root into them effectively. Instead, use sphagnum moss or tropical potting soil in the moss pole and keep it damp. A damp moss pole encourages leaves to fully mature and grow larger. Additionally, moss poles serve as extensions of the pot. If root rot occurs in the pot, viable roots in the moss pole can be safely replanted to save the plant.
Temperature
Keep your pothos in a warm environment with temperatures between 65–80°F. Avoid exposing the plant to cold drafts, heaters, or air conditioning vents.
Feeding
Feed your pothos every 4–6 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Fertilizing isn’t necessary in fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows.
Maintenance Tips
Pruning
Prune your pothos to encourage fuller growth and maintain its shape. Trim leggy vines and remove any yellowing or damaged leaves.
Propagation
Pothos are easy to propagate:
Cut a healthy vine just below a node.
Place the cutting in water or soil, ensuring the node is submerged.
Roots will develop in 2–4 weeks.
Repotting
Repot your pothos when it becomes root-bound or when the soil no longer drains well. Use a pot slightly larger than the current one and refresh the soil with a new mix.