Pothos Care Guide

Epipremnum aureum

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is arguably the most foolproof houseplant available. It tolerates low light, irregular watering, neglect, and a wide range of temperatures. Pothos grows rapidly in good conditions and is ideal for hanging baskets or trained up a moss pole. Variegated cultivars (Golden, Marble Queen, Neon, N'Joy) require more light than the standard green form.

Almost unkillable — thrives in neglect, low light, and irregular watering.

Care Requirements

💡 Light

Low to bright indirect

Tolerates low light better than almost any other houseplant. Variegated cultivars (Marble Queen, N'Joy) need brighter indirect light to maintain their patterns — they revert to green in low light. Avoid prolonged direct sun.

💧 Watering

Every 7–14 days

Allow the substrate to dry completely between waterings. Pothos tolerates extended drought far better than overwatering. If leaves curl and feel soft, it needs water. If leaves are yellow and mushy, it is overwatered.

💦 Humidity

30–60%

Tolerates very low humidity, making it ideal for offices and centrally heated rooms. No special humidity requirements. Basic household conditions (40–50%) are perfectly adequate.

🌡️ Temperature

15–30°C

Extremely temperature-tolerant. Keep above 10°C. Pothos handles the temperature fluctuations of most indoor environments without issues.

🌱 Substrate

Any well-draining mix

Tolerates poor substrates. A standard potting mix with minimal perlite is sufficient. Pothos can even grow indefinitely in water alone.

⚗️ Fertiliser

Every 4–6 weeks (spring–summer)

Feed lightly monthly during the growing season. Pothos does not require heavy fertilisation but responds to feeding with faster growth and larger leaves. Stop in winter.

Seasonal Care

Pothos grows actively year-round in warm indoor conditions, though fastest growth is in spring and summer. Trailing vines can grow 30–60 cm per month in ideal conditions. Cutting back long vines encourages bushier growth. Cuttings root in water in 1–2 weeks.

Repotting

Repot every 1–2 years or when roots fill the pot. Pothos is not fussy about pot size — it grows equally well slightly pot-bound or in a larger container.

Propagation

The easiest houseplant to propagate. Cut a vine below a node (the small brown bump on the stem), place in water, and roots develop in 1–2 weeks. Pot when roots are 3–5 cm long. A single vine cutting can produce multiple cuttings.

Pothos FAQs

Why are my Pothos leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves in Pothos almost always indicate overwatering. Allow the substrate to dry completely before rewatering. If the pot lacks drainage holes, add them or repot. A single lower yellow leaf is normal ageing.

Why is my Pothos losing its variegation?

Variegated Pothos (Marble Queen, N'Joy, Golden) revert to plain green in low light conditions. Move to a brighter location with indirect light to restore variegation in new growth. Existing green leaves will not revert to variegated.

Can Pothos grow in water?

Yes — Pothos can grow indefinitely in plain water, making it one of the few houseplants suitable for permanent water culture. Add a small amount of liquid fertiliser to the water every 4–6 weeks to provide nutrients.

Something wrong with your Pothos?

Browse our full diagnosis guide — identification, treatment, and prevention for every common Pothos problem.

Pothos Problem Guide →