Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is the plant for people who say "I kill everything." It tolerates neglect, grows in low light, forgives mistakes, and propagates so easily you'll have free plants for life.
If you can only keep one houseplant alive, make it a pothos.
Quick Pothos Care Summary
Light: Low to bright indirect
Water: When top 2 inches of soil are dry
Humidity: Any (adapts to dry or humid)
Temperature: 60-85°F
Fertilizer: Monthly in spring/summer
Difficulty: Easiest plant ever
Why Pothos is Perfect for Beginners
Survives neglect: Missed a watering? It's fine.
Adapts to light: Grows in low light (slower) or bright light (faster).
Forgiving: Overwatered once? It bounces back.
Fast-growing: You'll see progress within weeks.
Easy propagation: One plant becomes infinite plants.
Light Requirements
Ideal: Bright indirect light
Tolerates: Low light to bright indirect (incredibly adaptable)
Where to place:
- Near (but not in) east/west windows ✅
- 10 feet from south windows ✅
- North-facing rooms ✅
- Fluorescent-lit offices ✅
What happens in different light:
- Low light: Slower growth, loses variegation, leaves smaller
- Bright indirect: Fastest growth, best variegation
- Direct sun: Scorched leaves
Varieties and light:
- Golden pothos (most common) — tolerates lowest light
- Marble Queen — needs brighter light to maintain white variegation
- Neon pothos — bright chartreuse color fades in low light
Watering
When: Top 2 inches of soil are dry
How to check: Stick finger in soil
How often:
- Summer: Every 7-10 days
- Winter: Every 10-14 days
How much: Water thoroughly until it drains
Signs you're watering wrong:
- Overwatering: Yellow leaves, black stems
- Underwatering: Brown crispy leaves, drooping
Pro tip: Pothos prefers slightly dry over soggy. When in doubt, wait a day.
Soil and Potting
Best soil: Regular potting mix (no special requirements)
Drainage: Pot must have holes
Pot size: Same size or 1-2 inches larger when repotting
When to repot: When roots circle drainage holes (every 2-3 years)
Fertilizing
When: Spring and summer only
What: Balanced liquid fertilizer (20-20-20)
How often: Monthly
How much: Half strength
Winter: No fertilizer needed
Pruning
Why prune:
- Control size
- Encourage bushier growth
- Remove yellow leaves
- Harvest cuttings for propagation
How to prune:
- Cut just above a node (bump on stem where leaf attaches)
- Use clean scissors
- Remove up to 25% at a time
What to do with cuttings:
Propagate them! (See below)
Propagation (Super Easy)
Water propagation:
- Cut 4-6 inch stem piece
- Remove lower leaves
- Place in water (nodes submerged)
- Roots appear in 7-14 days
- Plant in soil when roots are 2-3 inches
Soil propagation:
- Cut stem
- Remove lower leaves
- Plant directly in soil
- Keep moist for 2-3 weeks
Success rate: Nearly 100%
Training and Display
Trailing: Let vines cascade from shelves, hanging baskets
Climbing: Provide moss pole or trellis
Shaping: Prune to encourage bushier growth
Length: Vines can reach 10+ feet
Common Problems
Yellow Leaves
Causes:
- Overwatering (most common)
- Natural aging (lower leaves only)
Fix: Check soil. If wet, water less. If it's one leaf, that's normal.
Brown Leaves
Causes:
- Underwatering
- Too much direct sun
- Fertilizer burn
Fix: Adjust watering, move from direct sun, reduce fertilizer.
Leggy Growth
Cause: Not enough light
Fix: Move to brighter spot, prune back long stems
Loss of Variegation
Cause: Too little light
Fix: Move to brighter location. New growth will be more variegated.
Pests
Rare, but possible:
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Scale
Treatment: Wipe leaves with rubbing alcohol, spray with insecticidal soap
Pothos Varieties
Golden Pothos — Green leaves with yellow variegation (most common, easiest)
Marble Queen — White and green marbled leaves
Neon Pothos — Bright chartreuse/lime green
Jade Pothos — Solid dark green
Manjula Pothos — Cream, white, and green variegation
Pearls and Jade — Similar to marble queen, smaller leaves
Toxic to Pets
⚠️ Toxic to cats and dogs (contains calcium oxalate)
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Prevention: Hang high or choose pet-safe plants
Let Sprig Track Your Pothos Care
Even easy plants need consistent care. Sprig reminds you when to water and tracks each plant's care history.
Questions? Email support@sprigapp.com