There are so many shapes, sizes, textures, and price levels with houseplants, its hard to know where to start! Do you dive in and get something challenging and exotic, or do you go with something sort of plain but easy to grow? Thanks to the Pothos plant, you won't have to sacrifice beauty or price, it has it all!
Pothos (botanically known as Epipremnum) is one of the easiest houseplants to maintain. They vine, cascade, and feature heart-shaped leaves in vibrant green color and are generally variegated in yellow, white, or pale green color. Some favorites are 'Snow Queen' and 'Neon', but the cultivars are boundless!
Pothos can be grown in hanging baskets, growing up a moss pole, or you can use them as a table plant. It is also said that Pothos work as a natural air purifier, and can remove toxins from the air, making it a healthy addition to your space. It is an extremely sturdy plant, and requires minimal effort, so if you're a travelin', ramblin' houseplant owner, Pothos are for you!
1. Light Your Pothos Properly
Pothos prefer bright indirect sunlight but can survive in various lighting conditions. If you have a bright covered area outdoors that remains a tank-top friendly climate, you can allow them to hang outside too! Should you notice leaves discoloring as if they're getting blistered, your Pothos is getting too much light. Move them to a location with indirect light immediately, they will rebound!
2. When should I water my Pothos?
Pothos are not big fans of staying too wet, so allow them to dry a bit before watering. Water once a week in summers and once ever two weeks in winters to keep the soil moist (humidity levels may vary, so keep an eye out seasonally!) Always allow the soil dry out slightly before you water the Pothos. If you notice the leaves are turning yellow, it indicates chlorosis which is a condition of too much water. Allow the soil to dry out a bit before watering again.
3. Optimum temperature and humidity for Pothos
Pothos are tropical plants and can tolerate temperatures ranging from 50 to 90 degrees with the sweet spot being around 75. They prefer high humidity levels similar to the tropical environment but can survive in all humidity levels. If you find the air is dry during winters, humidifiers can be a savior for your Pothos.
4. Balanced fertilizers
Pothos will grow their best if you feed them every 3 months with a slow-release fertilizer. They are light feeding plants, so allowing them to snack a little bit over time with slow release plant food will keep them happy and lush. Over-fertilizing can cause the leaf tips and edges to turn brown.
Slow growth, weak roots, brown leaf edges, drooping leaves are some of the signs that your plant is lacking nutrients. They are a great indicator that time to feed! An equal NPK ratio, for example, 20-20-20, can be a balanced ratio for feeding the Pothos.
5. Additional Care Tips
Pothos can withstand pruning and trimming, at regular intervals, however, they will grow happily without much care. Trim off the dried and droopy leaves to stimulate healthy growth and keep their foliage full and bushy. If you find bugs or insects, clean or wipe off the leaves with neem oil or give your Pothos a Happy bath with our “Oh Happy Plant Bath” that not only cleans the leaves but also happens to eliminate many common acclimation issues.
Adding a Pothos to your houseplant collection, regardless of your skill level is always fun. Striking foliage combined with easy-to-grow qualities make it a staff favorite in our lineup!
