How to care for pothos


Plant Care & Growing Guide

This low-maintenance houseplant is easy to grow and propagate

By

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.

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Updated on 07/31/22

Reviewed by

Debra LaGattuta

Reviewed by Debra LaGattuta

Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

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Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

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In This Article

Pothos is arguably one of the easiest houseplants to grow, even if you're someone who forgets to water your plants often enough. This trailing vine, native to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, has pointed, heart-shaped green leaves that are sometimes variegated with white, yellow, or pale green striations. Pothos is a good indoor plant year-round and will grow quickly, often adding between 12 to 18 inches of length in a month. Be aware that pothos plants are toxic to pets.

Common Name Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil's Vine, Devil's Ivy
Botanical Name Epipremnum aureum
Family Araceae
Plant Type Vine
Mature Size 20–40 ft. long, 3–6 ft. wide
Sun Exposure Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type Moist but well-drained
Soil pH Neutral to slightly acidic
Bloom Time Rarely flowers
Flower Color Gold/Yellow, Purple/Lavender
Hardiness Zones 10–12 (USDA)
Native Areas South Pacific
Toxicity All parts of this plant are toxic to dogs and cats

Watch Now: How to Easily Grow and Care for Pothos

Pothos Care

Pothos vines do not cling to trellises and supports on their own (like ivy might), but they can be trained onto supports to give the appearance of twining. As indoor plants, it is common to see pothos specimens grow to 30 feet long, though most are kept at a much shorter, neater length. If you choose to let your pothos grow into a long vine, it can be secured on hooks to trail along walls and over window frames. Vines left to grow on their own can get very tangled, so shake them loose every now and then to keep them from becoming a tangled mess.

While pothos likes bright, indirect light, it can also thrive in low-light areas or those with only fluorescent lighting, making it an excellent option for offices and dorm rooms.

The Spruce / Kara Riley

The Spruce / Kara Riley

The Spruce / Melina Hammer 

The Spruce / Jordan Provost

The Spruce / Jordan Provost

The Spruce / Kara Riley 

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Light

Pothos likes sun or shade, but you need to watch if it's in too much of either one. When grown indoors, pothos prefers bright but indirect light. Variegated plants sometimes lose their leaf pattern and revert to all-green foliage if they don't receive enough light. Moving them to brighter conditions usually restores the variegation. Suddenly pale-looking leaves mean the plant is receiving too much sun.

Soil

Pothos plants thrive in ordinary, well-draining potting soil that can be on the dry side or even rocky. Pothos thrives in a soil pH ranging from 6.1 to 6.8 on the scale. It is tolerant of a range of conditions, from neutral to slightly acidic.

Water

A pothos plant likes to have its soil dry out completely between waterings. If left in continually damp soil, the plant's roots will rot. Black spots on the leaves (or the sudden collapse of the plant) indicate that the soil has been kept too wet. The plant will indicate when it needs water. When it starts to droop, it needs water. However, don’t wait until the leaves start to shrivel or the plant will lose some leaves. Dry, brown edges mean the plant was kept dry for too long.

Temperature and Humidity

Pothos should be kept in temperatures that are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, though they most appreciate a common room temperature that hovers between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, pothos plants like high humidity. You can increase humidity around the plant by keeping it in a typically humid area of the home, such as a kitchen or bathroom. Still, the plant is very tolerant and can thrive even in low humidity environments, so there's no need to invest in a humidifier.

Fertilizer

Pothos plants are not heavy feeders. But because there are typically no nutrients in most potting soils, you can feed the plant bi-monthly except when dormant in Winter with any balanced houseplant fertilizer to increase nutrition.

Types of Pothos

Pothos hybrids have been developed with many different types of leaf variegation, with white, yellow, or light green patches interrupting the predominant deep green leaves. Some cultivars have solid light green leaves. Some recommended pothos varieties include:

Potting and Repotting Pothos

Eventually, your pothos will become pot-bound. When the leaves droop, no matter how much or how often you water them, drooping is a sure sign that roots have probably filled the pot and there is no room to grow. Carefully lift the plant out of its pot and check to see if this is the problem. You might be able to see roots growing out of the drainage holes. When the plant has reached this stage, you can re-pot it into a container that is one or two sizes larger in diameter and depth and filled with fresh potting soil.

Propagating Pothos

Pothos propagation is easy when it's done using stem cuttings. Pothos cuttings like to propagate in water at first. Here are the steps to take:

  1. Using a sterile, sharp cutting tool, choose a healthy stem with at least three leaves, and cut it at an angle about a half-inch or inch below the lowest leaf.
  2. Remove the lowest leaf from the stem (you don't need to remove the other leaves).
  3. Place the stem in a vase or jar of water, but do not let the remaining leaves touch the water.
  4. Once the cutting has sprouted new roots that are several inches long, likely over the course of a few weeks, transplant it into a pot with potting soil as soon as possible so it can begin to develop a strong root system.
  5. Put the pot in a spot with bright indirect light and keep the soil moist but not wet.

Common Pests

Pothos is usually pest-free. However, the plant can occasionally become infested with mealybugs. A simple insecticidal soap controls the pests, but the easiest method is to simply dab the insects with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab.

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Golden Pothos. Animal Poison Control Center.

  2. POTHOS (EPIPREMNUM AUREUM) DISEASES: IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL IN COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

  3. Epipremnum aureum. Missouri Botanical Garden.

Care & Growing Guide for Pothos Plants

The lush foliage of this carefree houseplant adds instant beauty to your home or office By Janet Loughrey, Garden Writer & Photographer

Beautifall™ Marble Queen pothos. Photo by: Proven Winners

One of the easiest indoor plants to grow, pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is often overlooked in favor of showier plants such as orchids. Though lacking blooms, this tropical vine—similar to philodendron—comes in an array of foliage colors and patterns that appeal to a wide range of tastes and decors. Nearly foolproof even for beginners, pothos is forgiving of neglect, virtually pest- and disease-free, and is a great low-light indoor plant perfect for darker rooms and offices.

The long stems trail or climb by aerial roots that adhere to surfaces, making this a versatile choice for hanging baskets, plant stands, and bookshelves. Best of all, pothos is one of the top houseplants for improving indoor air quality, making home and office environments cleaner.

On this page: Basics | Growing Tips | Care | Pothos Pictures | Toubleshooting | Display Ideas

POTHOS BASICS

Botanical name:

Epipremnum aureum

Common names:

Devil’s vine, Ceylon creeper, taro vine, ivy arum, silver vine, and Solomon Islands ivy.

Origin:

Native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Western Pacific islands.

Zones:

USDA Zones 10-12. Plants can be grown outdoors in frost-free regions of Florida and California.

Care level:

Easy.

Light requirements:

Bright indirect light is ideal, but plants are tolerant of low light and fluorescent lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn or discolor foliage.

Growth rate:

Slow to fast depending on variety. More variegation in the leaves tends to slow growth.

Foliage:

Shiny leaves are 4-12 inches long, heart- or lance-shaped, in colors of green, chartreuse, blue, or variegated patterns.

Flowers:

Small, white, hooded flowers are insignificant, occurring on mature plants in their native habitat. Plants will not flower in the average home environment.

Habit and size:

Vining, trailing habit, 6-10 feet long; can grow as long as 30-50 feet in their native habitat.

Toxicity:

All parts of the plant are mildly to moderately poisonous if ingested by pets or children. See more Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats.

Pothos lookalikes:

The leaves can look nearly identical to heart-leaf philodendron. Pothos has thicker, more textural leaves, while those of philodendron tend to be darker, smoother, and less likely to be variegated. The leaf stem of pothos has a slight groove, while those of philodendron are smooth. Philodendron foliage is distinctly heart shaped, while pothos leaves can be asymmetrical. They both have similar growing conditions and care requirements.

Pothos is also related to common garden plants such as anthurium, caladium, and calla lily.

POTHOS GROWING TIPS

Where to grow:

Site near a window that receives bright indirect light and avoid cold drafts.

Temperature and humidity:

Plants should be kept at temperatures above 50 degrees F, with ideal temperature range between 60-80 degrees F. Pothos prefers high humidity similar to its native habitat, but is tolerant of average or dry air. Plants will benefit from supplemental air moisture such as misting or a room humidifier during winter when indoor air is drier.

Soil type:

Grow in a high quality, well-draining potting mix. Pothos prefers a slightly acidic pH of 6.1 to 6.5, but is tolerant of values slightly above or below.

Pot requirements:

Plant in a container 1-2 inches wider than the root ball with adequate drainage holes.

Propagation:

Pothos is easily propagated through stem cuttings. Cut stems 6 inches long just below a leaf node and place in water. Roots will develop over a month or two. Change water every 2-3 weeks. Plant well-rooted cuttings in fresh potting soil. Grow multiple stems in the same pot for the lushest growth.

Plants can also be propagated through division. Gently cut the root ball into sections and repot in fresh soil, leaving 1-2 inches of space around the root ball.

POTHOS CARE

Watering:

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings; overwatering can cause root rot. Discard excess water from the saucer underneath the pot so that plants are not sitting in water.

Fertilizing:

Pothos are light feeders. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every 1-3 months to keep plants looking healthy.

Pruning:

Plants can be kept more compact or allowed to sprawl. Trim back long runners to keep plants full and bushy. Bare stems can be cut back to soil level to encourage new branches to sprout. For a vining habit, allow plants to grow naturally.

Cleaning:

Wipe leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep foliage looking fresh.

Repotting:

If plants become droopy no matter how much they’re watered, this can be a sign of being rootbound. Remove the plant from its container; if roots appear crowded and are circling tightly, then it’s time to repot. Place in a new container 1-2 inches wider in fresh potting soil.

POTHOS VARIETIES

Swipe to view slides

Beautifall™ Marble Queen pothos. Photo by: Proven Winners

'Marble Queen'
Epipremnum aureum

More Info & Find a Local leafjoy™ Retailer

Size: Trails up to 10 feet, up to 2 feet wide

Color: Mottled dark green with yellow and white

This beautifully variegated form is slower growing due to a lack of chlorophyll because of the lighter coloring. Place in brighter light to encourage more vigorous growth. Leaves are highly variable, depending on the branch taken from the mother plant.

Beautifall™ Jade pothos. Photo by: Proven Winners

Jade
Epipremnum aureum

More Info & Find a Local leafjoy™ Retailer

Size: Trails up to 9 feet

Color: Medium to deep green

A reliable grower, Jade is another easy-to-grow houseplant and is very tolerable of varying light conditions. Allow to trail or support with a moss pole.

Beautifall™ N'Joy pothos. Photo by: Proven Winners

N'Joy
Epipremnum aureum

More Info & Find a Local leafjoy™ Retailer

Size: Trails up to 9 feet

Color: Green centers with cream surrounding

This low-stress houseplant has beautiful green and cream variegated leaves, bringing brightness and interest with it wherever it goes.

Photo by: Myimagine / Shutterstock

Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum

Size: Trails 5 to 10 feet, up to 2 feet wide

Color: Medium-dark green leaves with irregular creamy gold splotches.

The most common variety and easiest to grow, the heart-shaped leaves closely resemble philodendron. Place in medium indirect light to retain best color. May be somewhat invasive if grown outdoors in warmer regions such as southern Florida.

Beautifall™ Cebu Blue pothos. Photo by: Proven Winners

Cebu Blue
Epipremnum pinnatum

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Size: Trails up to 10 feet, up to 2 feet wide

Color: Blue-green foliage

The unique blue-green foliage makes this a highly sought after houseplant. While still easy to care for like its more common cousins, this variety prefers medium to bright indirect light and does not do well in lower light levels.

Photo by: DhineshRaj / Shutterstock

'Neon'
Epipremnum aureum

Size: Trails 6 to 10 feet, can grow longer

Color: Foliage is chartreuse

Named for the brightly colored leaves which are distinctly heart-shaped, ‘Neon’ can be used to brighten a dark space. Leaf color is best in medium indirect light. If the light source is too dim, foliage will fade to green. New growth tends to be brighter.

Photo by: Firn / Shutterstock

'Manjula'
Epipremnum aureum

Size: Trails 6 to 10 feet, can grow longer

Color: Foliage is white with splotches of cream, silver, yellow-green and blue-green

A cross between ‘Marble Queen’ and ‘N’Joy’, the heart-shaped leaves are wider than other varieties, with wavy edges that won’t lay flat. Leaves are highly variable. Because there is less chlorophyll in the leaves due to the mostly-white coloring, growth is slower. Place in brighter light to increase growth rate.

See more Beautifall™ pothos plants from the leafjoy™ line from Proven Winners.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Pothos have few insect or disease problems. Here are some things to look for:

DISPLAY IDEAS

RELATED:
21 Best Indoor Plants
A Guide to Growing Peace Lily
The Best Philodendrons to Grow Indoors

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