How to Grow and Care for Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is among the most easy home plants to take care of and a great choice for beginner cultivators. It’s a tropical plant indigenous to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific easy to train to climb support trails from pots or a hanging basket. The flexibility and minimal maintenance makes it an ideal plant to add to any collection of houseplants.

Pothos are plants that grow quickly, often growing between 12 and 18 inches of length within the course of a month. Draping vines have heart-shaped, pointed leaves that can be colored with yellow, white or pale green patterns. Take note that the pothos plants can be poisonous to pets.

Pothos Care

• Pothos plants last an average of 5-10 years, however, with little or no care, they will last for a longer time.
• Pothos plants can be planted in standard pots or a well-drained Aroid mix.
• Make sure you have plenty of indirect light Ideally, in the west or east-facing window.
• Let the soil dry completely between irrigations.
• Use a balanced fertilizer for your house plants each month during the summer and spring.

Learn more: HOW TO CREATE GORGEOUS  FRONT YARD   FLOWER BEDS FASThttps://www.claytonhomesgarden.us/garden/front-yard-flower/

Light

Pothos is a fan of shade or sun and thrives in dark locations or in areas that have only fluorescent lighting. When it is indoors, it prefers the bright, but indirect light. A lot of shade can cause the plants to lose their variegated leaf pattern and then revert back to a green foliage. Moving them to more brighter environments typically results in the restoration of variation. The leaves appearing pale indicates that the plant is getting too much direct sunlight.

Soil

Pothos thrives best in regular good-draining potting soils in dry conditions, and work equally well in coarse, clumpy plant media. The soil is neutral to slightly acidic and is tolerant with a preferred soil pH of 6.1 6.8 to 6.8.

Water

Pothos should be watered whenever the upper 2 inches in soil appears dry. In the ideal lighting conditions it’s recommended to water a pothos every week or once. In winter, you’ll probably be less frequent in watering.
The greatest thing about pothos is it can drop when it is in need of water. Do not wait for the leaves to turn dry or shrivel before you water. The leaves should just a less droopy as you water them.
Like all plants, when placed in soil that is wet for a long period of time, a pothos may be affected by root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Maintain pothos at temperatures that are consistently over 50degF. It is recommended to keep it between 65degF and 75degF. They thrive in humid conditions, but they can they can adapt to low humidity. It is possible to boost the humidity by placing it in a humid space in your home, like the bathroom, or by joining it with other tropical houseplants in order to create an environment that is humid.

Fertilizer

Pothos plants aren’t big feeders, but can benefit from fertilization every now and then during their growing period. Feed your houseplant with a balanced fertilizer at least once a month in the spring and summer. Be careful not to fertilize during winter months when the plant is in dormancy.

Types of Pothos

Pothos hybrids have different varieties of leaf variation, such as white, yellow or lighter green spots that highlight the predominant dark green foliage. Certain cultivars sport strong light green leaves. Pothos varieties that are recommended include:

‘Marble Queen’:

A variety with an extremely appealing white and green variegated pattern. It needs more light than the majority of pothos to keep its distinctive color.

Pearls and Jade’:

This is a vigorous climber of green and white however, instead of striping, the hues of green, gray and white shine brightly all around the leaves.

‘Neon’

A vibrant chartreuse type that requires less light and is perfect to brighten up a dark space within your home.

‘Silver Satin’:

This variety is characterized by thick gray-green leaves, with silver flecks. It’s tolerant of dry conditions and low-light conditions.

Pruning

Because pothos grows quickly and quickly, they may develop an appearance that is sloppy or leggy. Pruning isn’t required to ensure the good health of the plant however, a few times of trimming may make it more attractive. Make use of a sharp, cutting instrument that is sterile to cut your lines.
Pruning your pothos can make it appear more bushy. To trim it, cut beneath an area that is near the crown, leaving at minimum two leaf nodes along the vine that you’re pruning. If the plant is leggy prune the growing edge to the desired length anyplace across your vine.
Pothos can be pruned at anytime during the growing season, however you should not prune when the plant is not in use.
Plants are known to produce some yellow leaves every once in a while, and can be removed by pinning it from the bottom.

Propagating Pothos

You can purchase a mature pothos plant from a shop, however it’s very easy to propagate with stem cuttings planted in water. Take an abrasive hand pruner, transparent glass, or vase. When roots begin to grow, you’ll require an outdoor pot and a mix of houseplants. The steps to follow are:

• Make use of a sharp, sterile pruner to cut off an unhealthy stem with at minimum three leaves. The cut should be at an angle of that is about one-half inch or an inch lower than the leaf with the lowest.
• Take the leaf that is lowest off the plant (you don’t have to remove the rest of the leaves).
• The stem should be placed in an jar or vase of water. Do not let the other leaves get in contact with the water.
• New roots appear within a week to 10 days. When the roots are a few inches long, you can transplant them into pots as fast as is possible.
• Place the pots in a place that has bright indirect light. ensure that the soil is moist but not soaking wet.

Potting and Repotting Pothos

As time passes your pothos will begin to be bound to the pot. If your leaves are still drooping regardless of how often you water them, it’s an indication that roots have taken over the pot. Check for roots sprouting through drainage holes or move the plant to look at the roots.
Once the plant has reached the point of maturity, you may move it to a container at least two sizes larger in both diameter and depth. Apply fresh potting mix and water it well to help the plant grow. If you can, do not pot the plant until it is growing. Choose a ceramic, plastic metal, terracotta or pot that is able to drain. If your pothos is located in a location with a little light, you might want to consider Terracotta, which is able to wick away water.
With its trailing, long plants, the pothos vine is suitable for hanging baskets and macrame planters. Pothos can be grown in water if the container is not porous and watertight.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Pothos that are hardy and low maintenance may face common issues with houseplants such as pests and diseases.

Pothos is generally pest-free however it is a magnet for whiteflies, spider mites mealybugs, and scale. Use a soft, clean cloth to get rid of pests, as well as apply Neem Oil insecticidal soap to treat the presence of.
Plants could also fall victim to bacteria-related leaf spot or rot, two diseases that are typically result from overwatering, sloppy soil, or insufficient lighting. Reduce frequency of watering. In cases of root rot attempt trimming back damaged roots and then repotting them in clean dry soil.

Common Problems With Pothos

Leaves Turning Yellow

A few yellow leaves are not something to be concerned about so long as the plant continues to put out new growth. However, the sudden or extensive yellowing of leaves is reason to be concerned. Root rot caused by excessive watering or a bacterial or fungal infection could be the reason.

Browning Leaves

Browning leaves may be the result of a range of causes, including excessive light or water. Dry leaves and crisp indicate the presence of water or a lack of humidity.

Drooping Leaves

Pothos leaves that are falling or turning wilting are indicators that it is under stress. Usually, this is caused due to a insufficient water. Provide your plants with a good watering and keep an eye on the moisture of your soil in the future. The leaves that are droopy could be an indication of a plant that is bound to a pot or suffering from an illness.