Why is my pothos growth stunted?

Author: Marcelle Collins  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Stunted growth and leaf drop are the plant's way of telling you it's not happy. It could be begging for more light or less, depending on whether it's stretching out with few leaves or its leaves are smaller and paler than your last online dating match.

Why is my pothos barely growing?

The most common reason why your Pothos plant is not growing is because it's not getting enough light. Consider moving the Pothos plant towards a window where I can receive more indirect light every single day. The Pothos is labeled as a beginner low light plants but almost all of the house plants in the hobby prefer at.

How do I make my pothos grow longer?

How to Make Pothos Fuller
  • Prune it back heavily
  • Add in pothos cuttings to the soil (rooted or unrooted)
  • Provide bright indirect light
  • Keep temperatures between 70-85°F
  • Fertilize every 2-3 months when actively growing

What does an overwatered pothos look like?

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

What does a dehydrated pothos look like?

Here are some telltale signs that your Pothos needs water: Its leaves seem to be wilting or drooping. The soil's top layer is very dry when you check with your finger. The leaves of your Pothos are browning, crisp, or brittle.

Why Your Pothos Plant Isn’t Growing!

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.

Why is my pothos struggling?

Wilting or Curling

Underwatered Pothos will have droopy leaves, which should perk up after watering. Conversely, overwatering can also cause wilting due to root rot, impairing the plant's ability to absorb water. Additionally, excessive sunlight can make leaves curl inwards to conserve moisture.

How do I make my pothos grow fuller?

Ideally, your pothos plant should receive several hours of bright, indirect light daily. While these plants tolerate low light conditions, consistent bright light will result in a fuller plant. If there is not sufficient natural light, place the plant under a grow light.

Do coffee grounds help pothos plants?

COFFEE GROUNDS FOR INDOOR PLANTS

Houseplants that prefer acid soil will be more receptive to coffee ground use. These include African violet, croton, gloxinia, monstera, peperomia, and philodendron. Avoid using coffee grounds on aloe vera, orchids, and pothos.

Does Epsom salt help pothos grow?

Boost their growth

Epsom salt can promote lush foliage and vibrant green color in indoor foliage plants like ferns and philodendrons, ZZ plant, Aglaonema, Syngonium, Areca Palm, Spider plant, Pothos (Money plant), etc.

How do you thrive pothos?

POTHOS CARE
  1. Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings; overwatering can cause root rot. ...
  2. Fertilizing: Pothos are light feeders. ...
  3. Pruning: Plants can be kept more compact or allowed to sprawl. ...
  4. Cleaning: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep foliage looking fresh.
  5. Repotting:

What color light is best for pothos?

Fluorescent tubes, preferably cool white or full spectrum, provide plenty of light for pothos. You can also use horticultural grow lights, which fit in standard fluorescent fixtures. However, most growers think regular fluorescent tubes are just as good and cost less.

How do you speed up the growth of pothos?

Pothos plants require the right balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) to grow fuller. Go for a little amount of compost or liquid seaweed solution to fertilise the soil at least once or twice a month. This will enhance foliage growth and your plant will look healthier and fuller.

Can I put my pothos in a window?

Bright, Indirect Light: Pothos plants do best in bright, indirect light. Place your Pothos near a window with a sheer curtain, or in a spot that receives bright but filtered light. Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight, as this can burn the leaves and cause them to wilt.

Why is my pothos not standing up?

To revive your Golden Pothos from the droopy doldrums, start by adjusting the watering frequency and volume. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can leave your plant dehydrated and droopy. Check the top inch of soil; if it's dry, it's time to water.

Why is my pothos stunted?

Nutrient Deficiency and Fertilization. Yellowing leaves and stunted growth scream nutrient deficiency in your Neon Pothos. It's like the plant's way of saying, "Feed me, maybe?" But before you go on a fertilizing frenzy, ensure you're not dealing with another culprit like pests or poor lighting.

Do pothos like to be crowded?

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

What does a pothos in shock look like?

One of the most noticeable signs of transplant shock is wilting. Despite proper watering, the plant's leaves or stems may droop and look limp, suggesting that the roots are not functioning properly. Leaf drop is another common symptom, with older leaves falling off more frequently, leading to a thinner appearance.

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).

How do I make my pothos grow thicker?

How to Make Your Pothos Plant Grow Bigger Leaves
  1. Grow the Right Variety. ...
  2. Double-check While Propagating the Plant. ...
  3. Make Sure the Plant Obtains Right Amount of Sunlight from Direct Exposure. ...
  4. Water the Plant in a Correct Way. ...
  5. Let the Plant Get Support Of a Tree or a Pole. ...
  6. Fertilize the Plant to Increase the Size of the Leaves.

Do pothos like to be misted?

Does my pothos need a humid environment? Pothos like humid environments, so you may want to mist the leaves or place the pot on a humidity tray. Alternatively, you can keep your pothos in a naturally humid spot, like a kitchen or bathroom.

Can pothos get too much sun?

If your Golden Pothos is getting too much light, you'll notice that the foliage begins to look bleached or washed out, the tips of leaves may turn yellow or brown and crispy, and it may even grow too quickly to support itself.

What to fertilize pothos with?

Best Fertilizer For Pothos

Pothos will benefit from fertilizer with a NPK ratio around 3-1-2, with 3 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorus, and 2 parts potassium, or a balanced 2-2-2 ratio. You can choose between granular or liquid fertilizer.

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