Pothos, a beautiful houseplant perfect for beginner gardeners, is a versatile vine that is sturdy and requires minimal maintenance. Before bringing one into your care, there are a few important things to know. Understanding how to properly water your pothos and choose the right soil can help ensure its health and prevent issues like root rot or scale. We consulted with houseplant experts and professional gardeners to provide you with essential tips for caring for your pothos and creating a vibrant home garden in no time.
Expert Contributors:
– Karen Musgrave: Associate at Hicks Nurseries and certified nursery and landscape professional with over 30 years of gardening experience
– Lisa Steinkopf: Educator and founder of the Houseplant Guru
Pothos Varieties:
There are numerous pothos varieties available, but some have gained popularity in recent years. Common categories include:
– Golden pothos: Known for its heart-shaped leaves and slight gold hue, this variety is a popular choice for many indoor spaces.
– Manjula pothos: Recognizable by the white streaks on its leaves, manjula offers more variation compared to other types of pothos.
– Jade pothos: Resembling golden pothos but with solid green leaves, this variety is equally attractive.
Care Instructions:
Regardless of the pothos variety you select, they all generally require the same care routine. Follow these steps to ensure a happy, healthy plant:
Watering:
Proper watering is crucial for plant growth, but it’s important not to overwater pothos. “Pothos is easy to grow, but overwatering is a common issue,” advises Karen Musgrave. Check the soil moisture by inserting your finger about an inch down. If it feels dry, water the plant. Remove excess water after about 30 minutes to prevent waterlogging.
Soil:
While pothos isn’t overly demanding in terms of soil, ensure good drainage by using a mix that includes ingredients like peat moss, earthworm castings, and perlite, suggests Karen Musgrave.
Fertilizer:
Pothos is not picky about fertilizer; any all-purpose houseplant food will suffice. Karen Musgrave recommends fertilizing from March to October.
Sunlight and Temperature:
Pothos thrives in medium indirect light but can tolerate low light as well. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, especially if the leaves have a lot of white areas. Maintain an average humidity level and ensure a temperature above 50 degrees for optimal growth.
Avoid placing your pothos too near a heater or air conditioner. Repotting is not a frequent task for your pothos, but it should be done when it outgrows its current container. Steinkopf suggests repotting when roots start coming out of the drainage holes or when you find yourself watering it more frequently. When selecting a new pot, choose one that is just two inches larger than the original. After repotting, make sure to press down the potting soil to eliminate any air pockets and water thoroughly. While pruning is not necessary for your pothos, it can help maintain its shape, especially when older leaves are shed. If your pothos is looking sparse with leaves only at the end of the stem, cut it back to encourage new growth. Propagating pothos involves cutting a piece of the plant below a leaf node, rooting it in water, and then planting it in soil to grow a new plant. Common issues with pothos include overwatering, yellowing leaves as a sign of too much water, and pests like mealybugs and scale. Steinkopf recommends wiping off these pests and using insecticidal soap or systemic insecticide if needed.
