pothos
aka epipremnum aureum, devil’s ivy, sweetheart vine
Its nickname is “the Devils Ivy”, but trust us, this plant is a pure delight. It may be the easiest plant to grow, and wow does it grow! 12 to 18 inches a month. Drape its beautiful vines anywhere and everywhere. Description : ideal beginner plant / low light tolerant / fast growing / southeast Asia, French Polynesia / tropical / popular houseplant / many variants / trail or climb, which ever you want them to do.
variations
So many varieties of pothos, Golden, marble queen, neon, Jessenia, pearls, jade, silver or satin, Manjula.
light
very adaptable
Prefers medium to bright light, but does well in shady spots as well. The only thing it doesn’t like is direct sunlight. Good for those hard-to-grow places like bathrooms.
water + feeding
let the soil dry
The top inch of soil should feel dry before watering. Don’t overwater. This is a low-maintenance friend! Does well in low nutrient soil but if you want to supercharge growth, you can feed every few weeks in all season but Winter.
toxic
toxic to humans and pets
Ingestion can cause mouth, stomach irritation and possible vomiting.
location
adaptable
Thrives in most indoor conditions. Doesn’t like the cold, especially cold drafts. Bathrooms or kitchen are ideal for humidity.
humidity
loves it
This hardy plant can do without, but it does love a regular misting. Naturally humid rooms like the bathroom or kitchen are good locations.
size
long hanging vines
This plants vines can grow anywhere from 6 to 20 ft in length if you let it. The vines don’t cling (like true ivy) but you can drape and train them any which way you like. Did we mention how easy this plant is?
pro tip
prune it
Pothos grows loooong. As the stems grow (to 20 feet or more) your pothos will lose its bushy look and become a long thin vine. You’ll really notice this if the vines trail into low light areas. Prune it if you want a bushier, fuller look. The clippings are simple to propagate. Just put the clipping in the soil at the top of the plant, or grab another pot and grow a whole new friend.
fun fact
mighty roots
Pothos’ powerful aerial roots can pry into walls as they search for places to climb. When you see those aerial roots growing, maybe give your Pothos a trellis or pole to climb. It’s kinda like giving your cat a scratching post so it doesn’t claw the furniture.
beyond the basics
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soil + potting
Use a rich, well-draining, indoor potting soil, like Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. Ensure your pot has good drainage. Don’t let it sit in water and if you notice water pooling in the drainage tray, empty it.
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when to repot
Repot every 2 to 3 years in the Spring, especially with younger plants. Increase pot by 2 inches every time. When Pothos is more mature and fully grown, you can just replace the top few inches of soil.
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propagation
Very easy with Pothos. Find a node or aerial root, cut just below the node and remove the lower leaves. Cutting can be put back in the soil, or in water. Cuttings will happily live in water for as long as you keep the jar topped up. This is a great way to add some green to darker, out-of-the-way places that are too small or awkward for a pot. For more information on propagation check out our propagation project page!
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pest control
Prone to mealybugs and scale. During your routine leaf cleaning, inspect the underside. Check out our Pest control section in Plant 101 for how to identify and deal with pests on your plant!
troubleshooting
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why is my pothos ‘crying’?
Could be normal “guttation”, or signs of over watering. Pothos have a natural tendency to ‘cry’. This expulsion of water from leaf pores is called “guttation” and it’s usually nothing to worry about. Review your watering routine. If you’re allowing the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to completely dry between watering, you’re good. If you’re overwatering and letting your Pothos sit in water, just drain the standing water, let the soil dry out and water less in the future.
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drooping or wilting leaves?
Needs water. Does your Pothos look wilted and droopy? Do those normally perky heart-shaeped leaves feel thinner? Your poor Pothos is crying out for a drink. Instead of doing one giant dump of water, water a little once per day for three days. You want the soil pleasantly moist, not super soggy. Your Pothos should bounce back in just a few days.
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brown spots or patchy?
Leaf spot disease due to overwatering. Overly damp conditions make most plants susceptible to disease, even the mighty Pothos. Isolate your Pothos to avoid spreading to other plants. This may be the hardest part because those vines may run all over the house. Cut off all the affected leaves and any debris that’s fallen into the pot. If you’ve been misting, stop. If there’s another source of humidity like a humidifier, or it’s next to your shower, move the plant away until those spots are gone. Treat with a fungicide.
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long parts of your trail leggy and without leaves?
Inconsistent care. Pothos’ vines travel far and wide! Often they venture into low light areas, where leaves tend to fall off. That means your Pothos is wasting energy to support empty vines that can’t grow leaves. The solution is simple. Cut the vine where healthy clusters of leaves generally stop. If your cutting has leaves at the end, you can trim it so there’s at least two nodes below the leaves, then propagate.
