Water your pothos every 1 to 2 weeks (or every 7 to 10 days) on average. Instead of a strict schedule, always let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out completely between waterings.
Water your pothos every 1–2 weeks, only when the top 1–2 inches of soil are completely dry. Saturate the soil thoroughly until water drains from the bottom, but never let the pot sit in standing water to avoid root rot. Adjust frequency based on light and season.
Your pothos is thirsty when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, the leaves begin to droop or curl inward, and the pot feels unusually light when lifted.
Yes, you can easily overwater a pothos. In fact, overwatering—and the resulting root rot—is the number one cause of pothos decline.
Generally, you should water pothos every one to two weeks, making sure it dries out between waterings. Don't water it again if the soil is still pretty wet because you don't want soggy soil. Rather than sticking to a set watering schedule, it's best to test the soil first to determine if the plant needs watering.
With proper preparation, pothos can last up to 2 or 3 weeks without water. However, if you don't provide the plant with ideal conditions, it can die of thirst within a week or so.
To keep your pothos happy, place it in bright, indirect sunlight, and let the top 2-3 inches of soil dry completely between waterings. Maintain average indoor temperatures (60∘F60 raised to the composed with power F60∘F to 80∘F80 raised to the composed with power F80∘F), and fertilize monthly during the spring and summer. Pruning leggy vines regularly will encourage bushier, fuller growth.
Coffee grounds act as a slow-release fertilizer when mixed into the top few inches of soil. “It not only helps your pothos produce strong stems and healthy leaves, but it also maintains its vibrant color and strong structure,” Bradley says.
Pothos is nicknamed "Devil's Ivy" because it is nearly impossible to kill. It thrives in near darkness and easily bounces back from severe neglect.
Pothos prefer relatively shallow to moderately deep pots. Because they are semi-epiphytes with fine, shallow root systems, they do not need deep containers. Using a pot that is too deep increases the risk of waterlogged soil at the bottom, which can quickly lead to root rot.
If the foliage looks withered and wilted, it's a sign that your pothos is unhealthy. "Wilting usually occurs when your pothos is underwater," says Berendsen. "If the wilting is mild, it should subside within a few hours after watering."
Yes, bottom watering is good for Pothos. These hanging plants usually have a dense root ball, which absorbs better more water from the bottom than the top. In addition, if you tend to overwater your houseplants, bottom watering may be the way to go. The plant will take in the moisture it just needs.
That includes growing it with no soil at all. Pothos is highly adaptable to "hydroculture," or living in nothing but water. As long as it gets supplemental nutrients, it'll be just fine. Here's how to grow a pothos in water only.
Even with a perfect transplant, my pothos can look a little droopy right afterward. I do not panic. Some mild transplant shock is normal while the roots adjust and start growing into the new soil.
Yes, pothos plants do clean the air, but their impact is very minimal. While they can remove certain airborne toxins like formaldehyde, you would need a massive, room-filling jungle of them to match the air-cleaning power of a single HEPA air purifier.
The best natural options for pothos are worm castings, liquid fish emulsion, or organic store-bought concentrates like Espoma Organic Indoor Liquid Plant Food. Pothos are light feeders and respond exceptionally well to gentle, slow-release organic nutrients that build healthy soil.
Quick Fixes for a Drooping Pothos
Houseplants that thrive with coffee grounds or diluted brewed coffee are typically those that love nitrogen and slightly acidic soil. Top choices include:
Epsom salt is very useful for your indoor plants as it encourages nutrient intake. This helps the plant to absorb more from the growing medium, resulting in better growth and green leaves. Use 1 tablespoon in 1 gallon of water and use it on plants once in 3-4 weeks.
Pothos plants do not require misting and can easily thrive in standard household humidity. While misting won't hurt the plant if done properly, it is generally ineffective at raising ambient humidity and can actually encourage fungal diseases like leaf spots or mildew if moisture remains on the leaves for too long.
Pothos prefer small, snug pots. Keeping their roots slightly confined forces the plant to focus its energy on growing lush vines and leaves rather than expanding its root system. A pot that is too large holds excess moisture, which easily leads to root rot.
Certain indoor plants are notorious for their demanding environments and hyper-specific care routines. The absolute hardest houseplants to keep alive include the Maidenhair Fern, which quickly turns to dust if its delicate soil dries out even slightly, and the Calathea (or Peacock Plant), which requires distilled water and 60%+ humidity.
Pothos are native to the tropical islands of the South Pacific. They do not tolerate temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit / 4 degrees Celsius. Do not move your Pothos outside until overnight temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 Celsius.