Golden Pothos vine with heart-shaped green and yellow leaves trailing downward on a transparent background.

POTHOS

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INDIRECT SUN

Keep in bright, indirect light

☁︎ Can also survive in low light ☁︎

Pothos is one of the ultimate low-maintenance houseplants. As long as it is kept out of direct sun, pothos will grow with ease.

They can also survive a low-light corner if need be. However, if you notice your pothos not looking as vibrant or getting leggy, it may need more light.

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WATER WHEN DRY

Water when top inches of soil are dry

Pothos are considered drought-tolerant, which essentially means it would rather be left without water for awhile than kept soggy.

Pothos does well in low to moderate humidity.

To put it simply, this plant can thrive indoors without the aid of a humidifier. Keep in mind, dust can collect on its leaves, so an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth is helpful!

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Groovy Root mascot. A cartoon red flower pot character happily planting a seedling with a trowel, surrounded by dirt, smiling flowers, bees, and a second small pot. Wearing blue sneakers.

soil needs

Pothos is typically not picky, but digs a well-draining mix that can hold some moisture without getting soggy.

When choosing a potting mix for pothos look for mixes that include:

α―“ Perlite α―“

Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

α―“ Orchid Bark α―“

Adds airflow and helps keep soil from getting too dense.

α―“ Coco Coir α―“

Helps hold moisture without making the soil too wet.

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Common Issues

  • A possible sign of overwatering. Soil that has been overwatered can lead to root rot.

    Remove affected leaves.

    If you suspect root rot: dry out the soil for a day, remove from pot, trim away dead, mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.

  • Often due to over or underwatering or possible mineral buildup from hard tap water. A little tricky!

    Try using distilled or filtered water for your pothos. Although it is drought-tolerant, it still needs hydration once in awhile! Check the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule.

  • A sign of not enough sunlight.

    If you notice your pothos looking leggy and weak, try moving it to a brighter spot. You may even want to rotate it regularly to keep it lush.

  • Likely caused by underwatering or overwatering. May require some trial and error.

    If soil is dry, make sure you are thoroughly watering the pot until it drains out.

    If soil is drenched, drooping leaves could be a sign of root rot. In this case, dry out the soil for a day or two. Remove plant from pot, trim away dead, mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.

Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Make sure to watch out for these creepy crawlers:

π–’₯ Aphids

π–’₯ Fungus Gnats

π–’₯ Mealybugs

π–’₯ Spider Mites

π–’₯ Scale

Not Pet Safe

Pothos can be toxic to pets if ingested. If you have pets, keep pothos plants out of their reach.

Smiling cartoon daisy in a red flower pot with a buzzing bee flying nearby. To the right of the image it shows the text β€œRooting For You” in a wavy line.