How do I know if my pothos is happy?

Author: Prof. Lilly Toy  |  Last update: Sunday, July 6, 2025

I am learning how to watch the leaves for signs of the plant's well-being: if the leaves are glossy, green, and perky, the plant is happy; if they're wilting or turning brown, you're not watering enough.

What does a pothos look like when it needs to be watered?

A: You can recognize a dehydrated Pothos by its browning, droopy, or wilted leaves, and dry soil. Your Pothos will lack its glossy lock and natural vibrancy.

How do you make pothos happy?

Keep your pothos happy by:
  1. Avoiding direct sunlight - pothos prefer bright, but indirect light.
  2. Watering when the top two inches of soil feel dry.
  3. Misting every few days - they love a humid environment.

How do I know if my pothos needs more light?

Fern's Leafy Learnings
  1. Bright, indirect light is key to maintaining the lush, vibrant growth of Golden Pothos.
  2. Beware of too much direct sunlight, which can cause leaf scorch and loss of variegation.
  3. Inadequate lighting leads to leggy growth, smaller leaves, and a loss of vibrant foliage colors.

Should you mist a pothos?

Humidity: This plant likes high humidity but it is very tolerant and can thrive even where there is low humidity. For best results, mist once a week in the summer and once every two weeks in the winter. Pruning: Keep the stems trimmed relatively short to keep foliage full along the full stems.

Signs that Your Pothos Need a Repot

What does an overwatered pothos look like?

A: If overwatered, your pothos will typically show signs of yellowing and mushy leaves.

How frequently should I water pothos?

Water your Pothos every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. If the plant's leaves begin curling inward or the potting mix is dry, this is a sign you need to water it more often.

What does a pothos with too much sun look like?

Yellowing around the veins is a tell-tale sign of a sunburnt plant, not unlike a tourist after a day at the beach. Faded Variegation: The characteristic silver variegation of the leaves can become washed out or pale, a clear indicator that your plant's been overindulging in sunlight.

Do pothos prefer to grow up or down?

However many Pothos Plants may grow bigger and happier looking leaves when Reaching up towards light. Here are some considerations for both options: Climbing: Pothos plants are natural climbers and can develop long vines with aerial roots.

How long do pothos live?

Pothos plants live an average five to 10 years, but with minimal consistent care can live much longer. Plant pothos in standard houseplant potting mix or well-draining aroid mix. Provide plenty of indirect light, ideally in an east- or west-facing window.

What do pothos love?

Pothos does enjoy the same bright, indirect natural light that most houseplants look for, but low light isn't a deal-breaker either. Lower light might cause pothos to have less dense foliage and turn a little darker green, but it'll still be happy and beautiful.

Do pothos like coffee grounds?

Do Pothos Plants Like Coffee Grounds? Yes, Golden Pothos tends to thrive in soil with coffee grounds.

How do you perk up a pothos plant?

Your Pothos prefers soil that is consistently moist. Be sure you're not over or underwatering your plant. Keep a consistent watering schedule–water when the top 2”-3” of the soil are dry. If you accidentally let your plant's soil dry out completely, you may see leaves go limp, droop, and possibly start to brown.

Should you water pothos from the top or bottom?

Bottom watering is an effective way to ensure that the soil is evenly moistened. Place your pothos pot in a shallow tray or bowl filled with water and let it sit for about 30 minutes. The soil will absorb water through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

How to make pothos fuller?

To make a pothos (Epipremnum) fuller you can;
  1. Prune it back heavily.
  2. Add in pothos cuttings to the soil (rooted or unrooted)
  3. Provide bright indirect light.
  4. Keep temperatures between 70-85°F.
  5. Fertilize every 2-3 months when actively growing.

Do pothos like bathrooms?

The pothos is a great indoor plant for the bathroom. They're small enough that they won't get in your way as you step out of the shower. But, they stand out enough to make a statement.

Do pothos like to be crowded?

Your Pothos needs personal space, just like you do on a crowded bus.

Where should I place my pothos?

To recreate the plant's natural conditions under the canopy of the tropical rainforest, keep your devil's ivy in a semi-shady spot out of direct sunlight. Avoid a south-facing window, but the pothos still likes the morning and evening sunlight. Some pothos species with lighter leaves also tolerate a little more light.

Do pothos like bigger pots?

Pothos plants will do just fine in a variety of containers, including ceramic, metal, terracotta and plastic vessels. The pot should only be two inches wider than the plant's root ball and should have drainage holes so that the plant does not end up sitting in water, putting the plant at risk of root rot.

Does pothos like being misted?

The Satin Pothos likes a humid environment, so regularly mist your plant to keep it hydrated. You could also pop it in a bathroom to take the hard work out of keeping it hydrated. Although it likes a tropical environment, it prefers slightly dry soil so make sure you allow it to dry out a bit in between waterings.

What window should my pothos face?

The Golden Pothos leaves develop unsightly brown patches with regular exposure to direct sunlight. So, it matters to place this plant near a north or east-facing window where it can bask in gentle, filtered sunlight. If your home is dimly lit, don't worry.

Can I put my pothos outside in the summer?

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

They are low-maintenance, easy-care indoor plants that can also be grown outdoors in shaded areas. Direct sun may burn the leaves of this plant, so it is recommended to keep them in a sheltered area if you choose to keep your plant outside during the summer months.

How to tell if pothos is overwatered?

However, if your finger comes out muddy, the pothos plant is probably feeling suffocated by overwatering or poorly drained soil. The ideal time to water pothos is when the top 1-3” of the soil is almost completely dry (depending on the size of the pot).

When to repot pothos?

The time to repot is when the plant's root system completely fills the pot.

Can a pothos go 10 days without water?

Pothos can typically go about 10 days without water, depending on environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and the size of the pot. However, it's not a wise idea to leave your Pothos there without monitoring.

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