Getting to Know Pothos Hanging Plant
Scientific name | Epipremnum aureum |
Family | Araceae |
Other names | Devil’s Ivy, Money Plant, Solomons Islands Ivy, Ceylon Creeper, Silver Vine, Taro Vine, Hunter’s Robe, Ivy Arum |
Type of plant | Vine |
Native | Asia |
Hardiness zone | USDA Zones 10-12 |
Caution: Pothos plants are toxic to cats and dogs.
How Pothos Looks
Leaves
Heart-shaped, glossy, and waxy leaves in different shapes according to variations.
Color
Green, lemon, white, yellow, and a mixture of colors in different variations.
Height
Pothos is a fast-growing vining plant that can grow from inches to 20-60 feet depending on its variation and environment.
Types of Pothos
Different types of Pothos plants are seen worldwide in other variations, such as Neon pothos, N’joy, Manjula, Marble Queen Pothos, Hawaiian Pothos, Pearls and Jade pothos, etc.
Pothos, At a Glance
Requirements for pothos at a glance
Elements | Requirement |
Light | Low to bright light |
Temperature | 60-80degree Fahrenheit |
Humidity | 50%-60% |
Soil pH | 6.1-7.1 |
Soil mixture | Well-drained and moist |
Container | Container with drainage hole |
Water | Everyday or once in 2day in summer Twice a week in winter and fall |
Fertilizer | Once in 4 to 6weeks in summer and sparing |
Note: pH means the Potential of Hydrogen. Soil pH level indicates how acidic or neutral the soil is. On a scale of 1 to 10, 7 indicates neutral. A pH value of less than 7 means more acidity, and a pH value of more than 7 indicates more basicity. Pothos plants need slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.1 to 6.5.
Mix the Soil Properly
A loose-moist soil is necessary for pothos plants to help the roots grow fast and avoid root rotting. The ideal potting mix of pothos contains an equal amount of gardening soil and coco-peat (for keeping the soil moist), 20% vermicompost, or compost as fertilizer. You can also add perlite (optional) to increase rooting and ensure aeration and insulation in the potting mix.
Choose the Right Container
Pothos can adjust easily to be kept in clay, plastic, ceramics, fiber-glass, or fabric containers. Pothos is a trailing plant that can be kept in a hanging planter. It also grows well in regular gardening pots. Two things must be taken care of when choosing a container for Pothos:
- The container must have drainage holes below it.
- The shape of the container must be bigger than the current root size of the plant.
How Much Sunlight Pothos Needs
Money plants do well in low to bright sunlight, but direct sunlight will cause burns to the leaves. However, some pothos, such as Manjula pothos, which have less green color in their leaves, prefer direct sunlight. It would be great for the plant if variegated pothos were placed where it would get a maximum of two hours of morning sunlight. In an indoor environment, plants can be kept beside the window for healthy growth.
When and How to Water
Pothos is a drought-tolerant plant. However, to maintain healthy growth, this plant must be watered every day or alternate summer. Watering is required once or twice a week in winter, depending on the soil’s drying out. For pothos, the finger dip test works best; if the soil doesn’t stick to your finger, it needs to be watered. Moist and well-drained soil ensures the plant’s healthy growth. Be cautious about waterlogging, which can kill your plant. Water retention causes root rot and leaf yellowing. So, drainage systems such as holes under the planters are a must to avoid water retention.
Feed the Pothos
Usually, pothos don’t need an abundance of fertilizer. Liquid organic seaweed solution or nitrogen-based fertilizer can be used every 4 to 6 weeks in spring and summer. Don’t put any fertilizer in winter.
When and How to Re-potting
Repotting means changing the plant’s existing container. In the following three cases, repotting has to be done.
- Generally, the pots provided by the nursery are small in size and made for transportation convenience. In that case, repotting is required.
- Root-bounding (means the roots become so dense that there is no more space for further growth for the roots).
- The current potting mix is too old, and it no longer has sufficient nutrition to provide the plant. Leaf-yellowing, small leaves, and brown or rotted stems indicate the plant needs repotting.
Guidelines for Re-poting
In case of repotting after buying a new plant, wait a week to give the plant some time to adjust to the new environment. Summer and Spring are the plant’s active growing seasons. So, do repotting in these seasons. Avoid winter for repotting, as this may kill the plant.
- Choose a container and potting mix with a good drainage system.
- Pour an optimal amount of water immediately after repotting (until the water comes out of the drainage hole).
- After repotting the plant, it needs some time to adjust to the new environment. This adjustment time helps the plant minimize the stress during the repotting process and lessen the risk of transplant shock.
- During this time, keep the plant in a stable environment away from direct sunlight and keep the soil moist.
- Monitor the plant for any signs of stress, such as dropping leaves or yellowing. If any sign is noticed, adjust the lighting environment or watering.
- After 7-10 days, the plant is ready for its regular care routine.
Pruning for Uninterrupted Growth
Pruning is essential for almost all plants. Pothos plants also need pruning for faster and bushier growth. Without pruning, the plant gradually gets a leggy shape. Prune the plant with a sterilized blade in any season except winter. Always remember to prune a stem with 3/4 nodes with which you can propagate another plant.
Protect Pothos from Pest
Though Pothos is less attracted to pests and diseases, it can be home to mealybug, spider mites, and aphids. A tiny amount of neem oil mixed with water or soap can be sprayed to eliminate mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.
Dealing with Common Issues of Pothos
Burned leaves, yellow leaves, leaf dropping, and root rotting are common issues in pothos plants.
- Burned leaves are a sign of excessive sun exposure. The plant must be in bright, indirect sunlight to avoid burned leaves.
- Yellow leaves and root rotting both occur because of overwatering or waterlogging. In this case, the plant needs repotting. While repotting, remember to trim off the rotten roots. Yellow leaves should be removed by pinching.
- Leaf dropping is a sign of underwatering and being root-bound. If the plant suffers from drought, provide sufficient water until it passes through the drainage holes. In the case of being root-bound, the plant needs repotting.
Propagate Pothos Efficiently and Effectively
Propagating is fun! Pothos propagation is quite an easy process. When propagating pothos, one must be careful about the season; pothos must not be propagated in the winter. You can propagate Pothos in three ways.
- Water propagation
- Soil layering
- Propagation using coco-peat
Water propagation
This is one of the most successful methods of propagation. The steps are as follows:
- First, take a healthy cutting from a healthy pothos plant. Each cutting should be around 4 to 6 inches long and have at least 2 to 3 nodes.
- Choose a jar and fill it with clean tap water. Put the cuttings into the water.
- Place the jar in a bright place where it will receive adequate light. Also, remember to change the water every ten days.
- Over the next few weeks, new roots will become visible.
- Once the roots are established, the new saplings are ready for transplanting into a well-drained potting mix.
Soil layering
I find soil layering to be the most interesting way of propagating pothos.
- Choose a healthy stem from the parent pothos plant with several nodes in this case.
- Make a 2-to-3-inch indentation in the existing container, then place the selected nodes in that space.
- Cover the node with soil.
- Within a few weeks, you will find new roots are coming out.
- When the roots mature, you can cut the stem from the mother plant and pot the new plant in a new container.
Propagation using Coco-peat
Propagating pothos using coco peat is another easy way of propagating this plant. Most of the time, I propagate by using this process.
- As previously mentioned, choose a healthy stem for cutting, and you can dip the cutting in root hormones as you wish.
- Fill a container with holes under it with coco peat. Make small holes in the coco-peat using your fingers and put the cutting into the holes.
- Place the container in bright, indirect light and moisten the coco peat. Keep an eye on the coco peat to ensure it is not waterlogged.
- After two weeks, the roots will become visible.
- Once the roots have matured, the plant should be potted in the perfect soil mixture.
How to get Pothos to grow fast?
- Firstly, regular pruning is necessary for getting a bushier plant.
- Pinching (removing the growing bud by pinching) can increase branching.
- Set up a coco pole or moss pole so the plant can get nutrition from its aerial roots. Remember to moisten the poles.
- Spraying Epsom Salt mixed with water increases the leaf size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold can pothos tolerate?
Pothos can grow well in USDA zones 10 to 12. These zones have warmer temperatures, which pothos prefer. But it can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C). If it gets too cold, below 50°F, the plant might start to suffer and show signs of stress. In that case, keep the plant indoors to avoid cold drafts.
Does Pothos like direct sunlight?
Technically, pothos don’t like direct sunlight as it can burn its leaves. Keeping it in a place where it gets bright, indirect light is the best. I prefer keeping my pothos where it gets soft morning direct sun because I think it helps keep my pothos’ colour intact.
Why does my pothos only have one vine?
If your pothos only has one vine, it might be because it isn’t getting enough light or nutrients, or it may be a young plant still growing. To encourage more vines, give them bright, indirect light, feed them with a balanced fertilizer, and trim the vine to promote new growth.
Why is my pothos losing leaves?
When my pothos lose leaves, I check for the following factors.
- Overwatering: Too much water can lead to root rot, causing leaves to turn yellow and drop.
- Underwatering: The plant may drop leaves to conserve moisture if the soil is too dry.
- Low Light: Insufficient light can cause the plant to shed leaves.
- Temperature Stress: Cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can stress the plant, leading to leaf loss.
- Pests or Disease: Insects or fungal issues can also cause leaves to drop.
Check these factors to help your pothos recover.
