Pothos Care Guide: The Easiest Houseplant You'll Ever Own

If there's one plant that can survive almost anything you throw at it, it's pothos. I've seen pothos thrive in dark corners, bounce back from months of neglect, and flourish in the hands of people who swear they kill every plant they touch.

Whether you call it pothos, devil's ivy, or golden pothos, this trailing beauty is hands-down one of the best beginner houseplants. And here's the best part: even experienced plant parents love them because they're so easy to propagate and style.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about pothos care, from the basics to advanced propagation techniques.

What Is a Pothos Plant?

Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum Common Names: Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Golden Pothos, Money Plant Origin: Solomon Islands (tropical Southeast Asia) Growth Habit: Trailing/climbing vine

Pothos is a tropical vine that grows as ground cover in its native habitat, but when it finds a tree, it becomes a climber. In the wild, pothos leaves can grow up to 3 feet wide! Indoors, leaves typically stay around 2-4 inches, but with excellent care, they can reach 6-8 inches.

Why It's Called "Devil's Ivy": This plant earned its nickname because it's nearly impossible to kill and stays green even in the dark. It's so resilient that it feels almost supernatural!

Fun Fact: Pothos was included in NASA's Clean Air Study and was found to be one of the best plants for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from indoor air.

Not sure if pothos is right for you? Try our Plant Finder tool to discover plants that match your space and lifestyle.

Pothos Care: The Complete Guide

Light Requirements

Ideal: Bright, indirect light Tolerated: Low light to medium light Avoid: Direct hot sun (scorches leaves)

One of pothos' superpowers is its ability to adapt to different light conditions. Here's what to expect:

In Bright Indirect Light:

• Fast, vigorous growth (6-12 inches per month in growing season)
• Vibrant variegation (for variegated varieties)
• Larger leaves
• Fuller, bushier appearance

In Medium to Low Light:

• Moderate to slow growth
• Variegation may fade to mostly green
• Longer spaces between leaves (leggy growth)
• Still survives and looks decent!

Pro Tip: If your variegated pothos is losing its markings and turning mostly green, it needs more light. Move it closer to a window.

Watering Your Pothos

Pothos is forgiving with watering, but there are still some guidelines to follow for optimal health.

When to Water:

• When the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry
• When leaves start to look slightly droopy (they'll tell you!)
• Approximately every 7-10 days in summer
• Every 10-14 days in winter

How to Water:

1. Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom
2. Let excess water drain completely (never let it sit in standing water)
3. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes
4. Wait until soil dries out before watering again

The Droop Test: Pothos leaves will start to curl and droop slightly when they're thirsty. This is actually a helpful signal! The plant will perk right back up within hours of watering.

Signs of Overwatering:

• Yellow leaves (especially if soft and mushy)
• Brown spots with yellow halos
• Soft, black stems at the base
• Root rot (black, mushy roots)

Signs of Underwatering:

• Leaves curling inward
• Dry, crispy brown edges
• Drooping that doesn't improve after watering

Important: While pothos tolerates underwatering better than overwatering, it's best to maintain consistent moisture without letting it stay soggy or bone-dry for extended periods.

Soil and Potting Mix

Pothos needs well-draining soil that holds some moisture but doesn't stay soggy.

Best Soil Options:

1. Standard Houseplant Mix Works great straight from the bag
2. DIY Mix: 60% potting soil + 20% perlite + 20% orchid bark

Pot Requirements:

• Must have drainage holes
• Only 1-2 inches larger than root ball when repotting
• Terra cotta, ceramic, or plastic all work

Temperature and Fertilizing

Ideal Temperature: 70-90°F (21-32°C) Tolerated Range: 60-85°F (15-29°C) Minimum: 50°F (10°C)

Pothos are tropical plants and prefer warm conditions. They tolerate average household humidity (40-50%) just fine, but they'll look even better with higher humidity.

Fertilizer Schedule:

• Spring/Summer: Every 4 weeks with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength
• Fall/Winter: Every 6-8 weeks or skip entirely

If you see white salt crust on soil or brown leaf tips, flush the soil with water and skip fertilizing for 2 months.

Pothos Propagation: The Fun Part!

This is where pothos really shines. Propagation is SO easy, and you can create dozens of new plants from a single vine.

Method 1: Water Propagation (Easiest!)

Steps:

1. Cut a 4-6 inch stem section just below a node (the bump where leaves emerge)
2. Remove the bottom 1-2 leaves (node must be submerged)
3. Place cutting in a jar or glass of water
4. Put in bright, indirect light
5. Change water every 5-7 days
6. Roots will appear in 7-14 days!
7. Transfer to soil once roots are 2-3 inches long

Pro Tips:

• Multiple cuttings in one jar create a fuller plant when potted
• Glass jars let you watch the roots develop (so satisfying!)
• You can keep pothos in water permanently if you prefer!

Method 2: Soil Propagation

Steps:

1. Cut a 4-6 inch stem section below a node
2. Remove bottom leaves
3. Plant cutting 1-2 inches deep in moist potting mix
4. Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) for 2-3 weeks
5. Roots develop in 2-4 weeks

How to Tell It's Rooted:

• New growth appears
• Gentle tug on cutting meets resistance

Creating a Super Full Pothos

Want a lush, full pothos instead of a few long vines? Here's the secret:

1. Propagate 10-15 cuttings
2. Once rooted, plant them ALL in the same pot
3. Trim vines regularly to encourage branching
4. Result: A full, bushy plant instead of sparse vines!

Want more trailing plant options? Use our Plant Finder to explore other easy-care vining plants.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: Leggy Growth with Bare Stems

Cause: Insufficient light causes stretching between leaves.

Solution:

1. Move to brighter location (not direct sun)
2. Prune back leggy vines to 1/3 their length
3. Propagate the cuttings for fuller growth
4. Plant will branch at each cut point

Problem 2: Brown Spots on Leaves

Cause: Overwatering, fungal leaf spot, or cold damage.

Solution:

• Remove affected leaves
• Reduce watering frequency
• Improve air circulation
• Ensure plant isn't near cold drafts

Problem 3: Lost Variegation (All-Green Leaves)

Cause: Insufficient light. Plant is producing more chlorophyll to compensate.

Solution:

1. Move to brighter indirect light
2. Wait for new growth, it should be variegated
3. If plant produces all-green vines, prune them (they'll take over if you don't!)

Problem 4: Root Rot

Cause: Overwatering, poor drainage, or pot without drainage holes.

Solution:

1. Remove plant from pot and inspect roots
2. Cut away black, mushy roots with sterile scissors
3. Let plant dry for a few hours
4. Repot in fresh, well-draining soil
5. Water less frequently going forward

Popular Pothos Varieties

While "Golden Pothos" is the most common, there are MANY beautiful varieties!

1. Golden Pothos (Classic)

• Green leaves with yellow variegation
• Most common and easiest to find
• Fast-growing and very forgiving

2. Marble Queen Pothos

• White and green variegation (50/50 mix)
• Needs brighter light to maintain variegation
• Stunning appearance

3. Neon Pothos

• Bright chartreuse/lime green leaves
• No variegation, solid color
• Glows in bright light
• Same easy care as Golden Pothos

4. Jade Pothos

• Solid deep green leaves
• Most tolerant of low light
• Fastest growing variety

5. N'Joy Pothos

• Crisp white and green variegation (blocky patterns)
• Compact growth
• Bright light needed to maintain pattern

All varieties have the same basic care requirements! The main differences are light needs (variegated varieties need more light) and growth speed.

Styling Your Pothos

Pothos is incredibly versatile. Here are popular ways to display it:

1. Hanging Basket

• Let vines cascade down 3-6 feet
• Keeps plant away from pets
• Classic, easy look

2. Shelf Plant

• Drape vines over bookshelf or cabinet
• Vines can trail 10+ feet!
• Creates a jungle vibe

3. Climbing on a Pole

• Use a moss pole or bamboo stake
• Leaves will grow MUCH larger when climbing
• Secure vines with plant velcro or ties

4. Living Wall

• Train vines across a wall on command hooks
• Creates a stunning vertical garden

Repotting Your Pothos

Pothos grows relatively fast and will need repotting every 1-2 years.

When to Repot:

• Roots growing out of drainage holes
• Water runs straight through without absorbing
• Growth has significantly slowed

How to Repot:

1. Choose a pot 1-2 inches larger in diameter
2. Water plant a day before repotting
3. Gently remove plant and loosen root ball
4. Place in new pot with fresh soil
5. Water lightly and wait 1 week before resuming normal care

Best Time: Spring or early summer

Pet Safety Warning

Pothos Are Toxic to Pets and Children

Pothos contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat if ingested. Symptoms in pets include drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and pawing at the mouth.

If Your Pet Eats Pothos:

1. Contact your veterinarian immediately
2. Monitor for symptoms

Pet-Safe Alternatives:

• Spider Plant (looks similar when trailing)
• Boston Fern
• Parlor Palm
• Prayer Plant

Check our Pet-Safe Houseplants Guide for more options.

Quick Reference Care Card

Related Guides

Explore more plant care resources:

• Low Light Houseplants Guide - Pothos is a top choice for low-light spaces
• Best Bathroom Plants - Perfect trailing plant for humid bathrooms
• Pet-Safe Houseplants - Note: Pothos is toxic to pets, see safe alternatives

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a plant that will boost your confidence as a plant parent, pothos is IT. This plant wants to thrive, and it'll forgive nearly every mistake you make while you learn.

Start with a classic Golden Pothos or a vibrant Neon variety. Watch it grow. Propagate it. Give cuttings to friends. Before you know it, you'll have pothos in every room.

Remember the golden rules:

1. Let it dry between waterings (it'll tell you when it's thirsty)
2. Bright indirect light is best (but it tolerates less)
3. Propagate often (more plants, fuller growth)
4. Prune for bushiness (don't let it get too leggy)

Ready to find more perfect plants for your space? Use our Plant Finder Tool for personalized recommendations based on your home's conditions.

Happy growing! 🌿

Last updated: February 2025