Looking to add an easygoing, air-purifying houseplant to your space? Learning how to grow and care for pothos plants is a perfect place to start. Known for their lush trailing vines and tolerance for neglect, pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are among the most beloved indoor plants for both beginners and seasoned plant lovers alike.
These adaptable tropical vines—often called Devil’s Ivy for their persistence—can thrive in a wide range of environments, from dim bathrooms to sunny offices. With just a little knowledge, you can help your pothos reach their full potential, whether you’re decorating a bookshelf or creating an indoor jungle.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from choosing the right variety to creating the perfect growing conditions and keeping your plant happy all year long.
Quick Facts & Botanical Insights
Before we dive into the specifics of growing conditions and care, let’s get familiar with the basics of the pothos plant.
🌿 Pothos Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
- Common Names: Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Golden Pothos, Money Plant
- Plant Type: Evergreen perennial vine
- Growth Habit: Trailing or climbing vine
- Native Range: Southeast Asia and Western Pacific islands
- Mature Length Indoors: 6–10 feet (can be pruned or trained)
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested
🌱 Botanical Background
Pothos are part of the Araceae family, related to philodendrons and monsteras. In their native tropical environments, they grow under the forest canopy, sending out long vines that climb trees using aerial roots. These roots don’t damage surfaces but help anchor the plant as it grows upward in search of light.
What’s fascinating is that pothos can change leaf shape and size depending on their environment. In nature, mature leaves can become large and even fenestrated (split), while indoors they typically remain smaller and heart-shaped.
One vine in ideal conditions can grow up to 65 feet long in the wild, although most indoor specimens are kept much shorter for aesthetics and manageability.
🌸 Why They’re Loved
- Low maintenance: Tolerant of occasional neglect
- Air purifying: Filters toxins like formaldehyde and benzene
- Versatile: Can grow in soil or water, trailing or climbing
- Propagates easily: Snip and root in water or soil
These characteristics make pothos an all-star for home or office décor, especially for those who want greenery without the fuss.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Pothos Plants
To help your pothos thrive—not just survive—it’s important to recreate some of the conditions they’d experience in their native tropical environment. The good news? These plants are highly adaptable and forgiving, making them ideal even if you don’t have the perfect setup.
☀️ Light Requirements
- Best: Bright, indirect light (near a north or east-facing window)
- Tolerates: Low light and artificial light
- Avoid: Direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves
Pothos will grow more quickly and develop richer coloration in bright, filtered light. Variegated varieties may lose their distinctive markings if kept in too-dark environments. If your plant stops putting out new leaves or gets leggy, it may be craving more light.
Tip: If you’re using artificial light, make sure your pothos gets at least 10–12 hours daily.
🌡️ Temperature & Climate
- Ideal Range: 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C)
- Minimum Tolerance: 50°F (10°C) — avoid cold drafts or frost
- Humidity Preference: Moderate to high (50–60%)
While pothos can survive in average indoor humidity, they truly flourish with a little extra moisture in the air. Consider clustering your plants or placing a humidifier nearby during dry seasons.
🌱 Soil Needs
Pothos like their soil just like their personality: loose, airy, and well-draining.
- Best Mix: Equal parts potting soil, perlite, and vermiculite or orchid bark
- pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.1 to 6.5)
The key is avoiding soggy roots. A lightweight, nutrient-rich mix allows water to drain freely while holding just enough moisture for those tropical roots to stay hydrated.
💧 Watering Needs
- Water when: Top 1–2 inches of soil are dry
- Water method: Slowly and thoroughly, until water drains out the bottom
- Avoid: Letting plant sit in standing water
Overwatering is the most common cause of pothos problems. The plant will usually forgive the occasional drought, but persistent wet feet can cause root rot.
Pro Tip: If leaves are drooping but not dry or crispy, check the roots—overwatering can mimic underwatering symptoms!
Step-by-Step Planting & Propagation Guide
Whether you’re potting up a nursery plant, refreshing an old vine, or propagating a cutting, pothos are one of the easiest houseplants to work with. Here’s how to get started.
🌿 How to Plant or Repot Pothos
You’ll need:
- A healthy pothos plant or cutting
- A container with drainage holes
- Fresh, well-draining potting mix
- Optional: gloves (pothos sap can be irritating to skin)
Steps:
- Choose the Right Pot
Select a pot that’s 1–2 inches larger than the root ball. Avoid oversized pots to reduce the risk of overwatering. - Add Drainage Layer (Optional)
Place a layer of pebbles or clay balls at the bottom to improve drainage, especially if your potting mix holds moisture well. - Fill with Soil Mix
Add a few inches of your soil mix to the pot. Gently place the plant in and fill around it, firming the soil lightly. - Water Thoroughly
Water until moisture drains from the bottom. Discard any excess water in the saucer. - Place in Ideal Location
Keep your new plant in bright, indirect light and maintain consistent moisture for the first few weeks.
🌱 How to Propagate Pothos in Water
Propagation is one of the best parts of owning a pothos. You can create endless new plants for free!
You’ll need:
- Clean scissors or pruning shears
- A healthy vine with multiple nodes
- A jar or glass of water
- Indirect sunlight
Steps:
- Select a Vine
Choose a vine with several leaves and visible nodes (the little bumps where leaves and roots form). - Cut Below a Node
Snip ¼ inch below a node, ideally with 4–6 inches of stem. Make sure each cutting has at least 1–2 leaves and one node. - Remove Lower Leaves
Remove any leaves that would sit in water to prevent rot. - Place in Water
Set the cutting in a jar of room-temperature water, making sure the node is submerged. - Wait and Watch
Within 1–2 weeks, roots will start to emerge. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. - Pot Up When Ready
Once roots are 2–4 inches long, you can transfer your cutting to soil or continue growing it in water.
Note: Pothos cuttings can live in water indefinitely, but growth may slow over time without added nutrients.
🌿 Propagation in Soil (Optional)
You can also plant cuttings directly in moist soil instead of water. Just make sure to keep humidity high (use a humidity dome or plastic bag) until roots establish.
Ongoing Care & Maintenance Tips
Once your pothos is planted and growing, ongoing care is refreshingly simple. Still, a few proactive steps can keep your plant looking lush, vibrant, and healthy for years to come.
✂️ Pruning and Training
Pothos are fast growers and benefit from regular trims.
- Why prune: Encourage bushier growth, remove leggy or damaged vines, and manage length
- How often: Every 4–6 weeks, or as needed
- Tools: Use clean, sharp scissors or shears
To prune:
Snip just above a node (where a leaf and root meet the stem). This encourages the plant to branch out and fill in more fully.
Want a fuller plant? Plant several cuttings in one pot to create a lush, bushy pothos from the start.
You can also train vines to grow vertically using a moss pole, trellis, or wall hooks. Pothos will send out aerial roots and climb when given the opportunity.
🍂 Cleaning and Grooming
Dust buildup on leaves can block sunlight and reduce photosynthesis.
- Wipe leaves monthly with a damp microfiber cloth or use a gentle shower to rinse dust off.
- Trim yellowing leaves regularly—this prevents energy from being wasted on failing foliage.
💩 Fertilizing Routine
While pothos aren’t heavy feeders, they do appreciate a boost—especially during active growth (spring through early fall).
- Type: Balanced liquid fertilizer (such as 3-1-2 NPK ratio)
- Frequency: Every 2–4 weeks in growing season
- Skip: Fertilizer during winter dormancy
Organic options like worm castings or seaweed emulsion can also be mixed into the soil every couple of months for a gentle nutrient release.
🔄 Repotting
Pothos are happy slightly root-bound but will eventually outgrow their home.
- When: Every 1–2 years or when roots circle the bottom
- Signs: Slow growth, roots popping out of drainage holes, compacted soil
Choose a pot that’s only 1–2 inches larger to avoid water retention issues. Refresh the soil mix to provide fresh nutrients and airflow for the roots.
⚠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here’s how to decode what your pothos might be trying to tell you:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering or low humidity | Let soil dry out more between waterings |
| Brown tips | Low humidity or salt buildup | Increase humidity, flush soil monthly |
| Wilting leaves | Overwatering or underwatering | Check soil moisture before adjusting care |
| Leggy vines | Low light | Move to a brighter spot |
| Loss of variegation | Not enough light | Increase indirect light exposure |
Common Pests, Diseases & Eco-Friendly Solutions
Pothos are relatively pest- and disease-resistant, especially when grown in healthy indoor environments. But even the hardiest houseplants can face issues now and then. Here’s how to identify and treat common problems—without harsh chemicals.
🐛 Common Pests
- Spider Mites
- Symptoms: Fine webbing, speckled or pale leaves
- Solution: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until gone. Increase humidity (mites hate moisture).
- Mealybugs
- Symptoms: Cotton-like clusters at nodes or leaf joints
- Solution: Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, then treat with neem oil or a diluted dish soap spray (1 tsp per 1 liter of water).
- Scale Insects
- Symptoms: Brown, shell-like bumps on stems and undersides of leaves
- Solution: Scrape off with fingernail or brush, apply neem oil repeatedly for any unseen eggs.
- Fungus Gnats
- Symptoms: Tiny black flies around the soil surface
- Solution: Let soil dry out more between waterings. Use sticky traps and add a layer of sand on top of the soil to deter egg-laying.
🍄 Common Diseases
- Root Rot
- Cause: Overwatering, poor drainage
- Symptoms: Yellow leaves, mushy stems, foul odor from soil
- Fix: Remove plant from soil, trim affected roots, repot in fresh, dry soil with proper drainage. Reduce watering schedule.
- Bacterial Leaf Spot
- Symptoms: Water-soaked dark spots with yellow halos
- Treatment: Isolate infected plant, remove damaged leaves, improve air circulation. Avoid misting leaves directly.
- Powdery Mildew
- Symptoms: White, powdery coating on leaves
- Solution: Improve air circulation, reduce humidity slightly. Spray with a mix of baking soda (1 tsp) and mild soap in water.
🌿 Natural Pest Prevention Tips
- Keep leaves dust-free to spot issues early.
- Quarantine new plants before introducing them to your indoor jungle.
- Use neem oil or insecticidal soap monthly as a preventative measure.
- Avoid overwatering and crowding plants too closely—airflow is key.
A healthy pothos is a resilient pothos. Most issues can be prevented by following basic care routines and keeping a watchful eye on your plant friends.
Even though pothos are famously low-maintenance, a few insider tips can help elevate your plant game—and answer those common “what now?” moments.
🌟 Expert Growing Tips
- Rotate your plant weekly to ensure even light exposure and symmetrical growth.
- Use rainwater or distilled water if your tap water is high in chlorine or fluoride—some pothos are sensitive to these chemicals.
- Don’t stress about the vines getting long—pothos can be trained up walls, over windows, or draped artfully from shelves.
- Repurpose an old trellis, moss pole, or even command hooks to guide the vines in fun, decorative ways.
- Combine varieties in one pot (like Golden and Marble Queen) for a striking variegated combo effect.
❓ Pothos FAQs
Q: Can I grow pothos in water permanently?
A: Yes! Pothos can grow in water alone for months or even years. Just change the water weekly and add a drop of liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks for nutrients.
Q: Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?
A: Most commonly, it’s due to overwatering or poor drainage. Let the soil dry out between waterings and check that your pot has a drainage hole.
Q: Can pothos grow outdoors?
A: In USDA zones 10–12, pothos can be grown outside year-round in shaded, warm areas. In cooler climates, bring them indoors before temps drop below 50°F (10°C).
Q: How do I make my pothos bushier?
A: Prune regularly and plant several rooted cuttings into the same pot. Pinching back vines just above a node encourages fuller, more compact growth.
Q: Are pothos toxic to pets?
A: Yes. Pothos contain insoluble calcium oxalates which can cause irritation if ingested by cats, dogs, or humans. Keep them out of reach of curious paws and toddlers.
Q: My pothos has lost its variegation—why?
A: Lack of light is the main culprit. Move your plant to a brighter spot (but still avoid direct sun) and wait for new leaves to come in with better coloration.