Learn how to care for your Pothos! Trust us, you can actually keep it alive because this houseplant refuses to die.
Pothos is arguably the easiest houseplant to grow, even if you have a black thumb or cursed with plants (like me). I mean, if can grow one, you can too. It's easier to care for pothos than to grow succulents. All you need is to give them the right amount of light and water when they start to look wilty. I can guarantee you that you'll have them for years.
However, if you want to see them in their happiest and healthiest state (which is up to 30 feet, by the way), then follow these plant care tips on how to care for your pothos. Trust us, it's so easy that you might just fill your whole place with it.
Epipremnum aureum, or commonly known as "Devil's Ivy" is considered a great houseplant for beginners, for busy plant owners, or for people who want low-maintenance houseplants because it's very easy for. Pothos or Epipremnum aureum came from the Greek words epi (which means upon) and premnon (which means a trunk) because it is known to overgrow forest floors and tree trunks.
One of the main characteristics of pothos is its trailing, leafy vine that can reach grow up to 30-40 feet in tropical jungles and about six to 10 feet indoors. Another unique characteristic of pothos is its heart-shaped, bright, and waxy green leaves with variegation in yellow. The Pothos is a perfect plant for any type of home or even office because it can filter gaseous toxins like formaldehyde from the air.
| Botanical Name | Epipremnum aureum |
| Common Name | Devil's Ivy, Golden Pothos, Money Plant |
| Plant Size | Indoors: 6 to 10 feet, Tropical Jungle: 30 to 40 feet |
| Types of Pothos Plants | Golden Pothos, Marble Queen Pothos, Neon Pothos, Jessenia Pothos, Manjula Pothos, Pearls and Jade Pothos, Silver/Satin Pothos, N-Joy Pothos, and Cebu Blue Pothos |
| Sunlight | It can tolerate low light, but grows well in medium and higher light areas. |
| Water | Keep soil moist, but be careful not to overwater. |
| Humidity | Pothos can do well in low humidity environments, but since they are tropical plants, they prefer environments with high humidity. |
| Temperature | Pothos grows best at 70-90°F |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. Pothos can cause mouth and stomach irritation and vomiting because it contains calcium oxalates. |
| Food | Pothos is a very stable houseplant, so maintaining a balanced (20-20-20) fertilizer monthly to bi-monthly will be enough. |
| Pests and Problems | Mealybugs and scale are the most common insect problem of Pothos. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to kill the pests. Pothos leaves drooping because of dry soil or leaves turning yellow because of overwatering. |
| Omysa Plant Care Tip | Since Pothos loves to vine, it's best to place them on a shelf or hang them beside the window. This will also keep your children and pets from ingesting the plant. |
Pothos Plant Care Tips
Of course, no matter how hardy and undemanding pothos are, it still needs the proper care to keep it happy and healthy. Here's a complete explanation of how to care for your pothos, from sunlight requirement to common problems and its solutions.
Sunlight
First on our list on how to care for your pothos is to give them the right amount of light. Pothos can do well in both low indirect light and medium light. If you are planning to place your pothos outdoors, then it's best to put it under shade to partial shade. However, avoid placing your pothos under direct sunlight because it will burn the foliage. Also, avoid placing a highly variegated pothos in low-light conditions because it may lose its variegation.
Common Problem: If you notice that your pothos' leaves are pale or yellowish, this means that your plant is getting too much light.
Solution: Place your pothos with one or two hours of moderate sunlight.
Water
As we have mentioned, to keep your pothos alive, keep the soil moist, but do not overwater it, since this can cause root rot, which can kill your plant.
Common Problem: If the leaves of your pothos are wilting or turning brown, it means that the soil is dry, and you should water the plant more often. If the leaves of your pothos are yellow, then you are overwatering your plant.
Solution: Set a schedule on when you should water your pothos. For indoor pothos, 3 to 7 days. For outdoor pothos, 2 to 4 days. Check if the top inch of the soil is dry. If yes, then it's time to water your pothos. Pothos can tolerate missed watering, but it will die easily from too much water.
Humidity & Temperature
Next on our list on how to care for your pothos is to check the humidity and temperature of your place. Pothos can do well in low humidity environments, but they prefer a place with higher humidity since they are tropical plants. It's also the same with temperature. They can tolerate moderate temperatures ranging from 55 – 85°F but prefers higher temperatures ranging from 70-90°F.
Common Problem: If the tips of the leaves of your pothos are turning brown, this means that the air is too dry.
Solution: You can get a humidifier to increase the humidity in your place. You can also mist your pothos from time to time or place them in your bathroom since that area has more humidity naturally.
Toxicity
Pothos plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and humans because it contains calcium oxalates. Once ingested, it will cause mouth and stomach irritation and vomiting.
Tip: Place your pothos on shelves or hang them in places wherein your children and pets cannot reach.
Food
Another on our list on how to care for your pothos is to feed them with any balanced houseplant fertilizer monthly or every 6 months. This, of course, depends on the condition of your pothos' soil.
Common Problem: Pothos full of pests or poor root systems.
Solution: Plant your pothos in a potting mix free of pathogens. It's recommended to use a sterile potting media to avoid this type of problem.
Pests & Other Problems
Pothos plant is such an easy houseplant that even its pests and problems are easy to fix, that's why it's a recommended houseplant for new plant parents. One of the most common problems with pothos is mealybugs and scale. To kill these insects, use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol then check your pothos weekly to prevent the pests from coming back. That's it!
That's a wrap on how to care for your pothos. Pretty easy, huh? No wonder this plant is always one of the top choices of plant enthusiasts because it has minimal requirements, and it helps you breathe happier. Also, it adds beauty to your home.
Grow your plant knowledge. Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
