Chris Buckland
Being a plant mommy is not easy because, unlike babies, plants don’t cry and yell to let us know what they want. But plants have their own unique way of communicating with us.
How well your houseplants look represents how well you treat and care for them. So, look out for any visible cues like discoloration, wilting, or drooping and care for your plants i.e. Pothos. How often to water Pothos? Let’s find out.
While a plant care routine involves different factors like sunlight, temperature, and humidity, watering is one of the main reasons a plant may thrive or die.
Therefore, it is crucial to know how much and how often to water your plants. Today, we will talk about a common low-maintenance houseplant that almost every plant mommy has, i.e., Pothos!
If you don’t know much about watering Pathos, then don’t worry. Here is a detailed guide on how often you should water Pothos.
What is Pothos?
Pothos, commonly known as Devil’s Ivy, is a popular houseplant. Pothos are trailing vines with bright green and yellow heart-shaped foliage.
It is native to Moorea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Pothos is known by many names in different parts of the world, including Devil’s Vine, Money Plant, Hunter’s Rove, and Silver Vine.
What makes Pothos unique is that it is almost impossible to kill this plant. Pothos can be planted or cared for indoors all year and will grow swiftly even in the dark – growing 12 to 18 inches in length every month on average.
Even if you neglect to water your plants regularly, Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to thrive. So, for the newbies and busy bees looking for a super low-maintenance plant, Pothos is for you!
Characteristics Table
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Scientific Name | Epipremnum aureum |
| Common Names | Devil’s ivy, Golden Pothos, and Hunter’s rove |
| Type | Low maintenance perennial |
| Family | Araceae |
| Temperature | 70- 90°F |
| Watering | Every 1-2 weeks |
| Light | Bright but indirect light |
| Toxicity | Toxic for Humans and Pets |
| Propagation | Pothos cuttings can be propagated in water or soil |
| Flowering | Flowering occurs only in the mature phase |
| Maximum Size | 20–40 ft. long |
Common Pothos Varieties
Golden Pothos (Devils Ivy) – Pothos Vines With Variegated Yellow Leaves
Golden Pothos is the typical pothos kind. It has heart-shaped mid-green foliage with creamy gold highlights. The leaves of this species can get relatively enormous if grown up a pole and given enough light and warmth. In fact, in frost-free environments, the leaves can grow up to 12 inches broad.
Jade Pothos – Cultivar With Dark Green Leaves And Gold Variegation
This is a patented Pothos variety developed by the University of Florida. Green leaves with silver-grey and white tints are varied on Jade Pothos. It can be distinguished from a variety of pothos kinds by their variegation patterns. Their leaves have variegation on the borders rather than the center.
Marble Queen Pothos – Green And White “Marbled” Leaves
Another common kind of Pothos is Marble Queen, which has a cheesecake-like appearance. The white and dark green are interlaced to make beautiful variegation, similar to a tapestry or crocheted blanket. They’re a highly variegated type.
Neon Pothos – Known For The Bright Green Foliage
Neon pothos is a one-of-a-kind variety of Pothos. The lime green tint of the heart-shaped leaves! The younger, budding leaves have brighter colors, and the older, mature leaves have a deep neon tint.
Pothos Care Guide
Pothos does not require much effort. These plants thrive in a variety of conditions. They thrive in both bright, indirect light and low light conditions. Plus, they can be cultivated in dry soil or water-filled vases. They do almost as well in nutrient-poor soil as they do in nutrient-rich soil.
Here is a detailed pothos care guide:
Sunlight
While Pothos thrive in a wide range of light settings and may even withstand low light, they prefer moderate indoor light. They can be cultivated in the shade or partial shade outdoors. Just keep your Pothos out of direct sunlight wherever you decide to put them.
Humidity
Like most tropical indoor plants, Pothos thrives in high humidity but may succeed in regular household air moisture levels.
Water
Keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater it. Isn’t it easier said than done? Allowing the soil to dry out between watering is ideal for Pothos. Allow only the top two inches of soil to dry to achieve this watering approach, ensuring that the roots remain moist. You should water the plant more frequently if the leaves are drooping or turning brown. You may be overwatering it if the leaves are yellow. (more on this later)
Temperature
Pothos can withstand temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but they prefer high humidity and temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit because they are tropical plants.
Soil
Plant your golden Pothos in a planter with drainage holes and light, well-draining soil like the cactus mix. Pothos is a fast-growing trailing plant that looks lovely cascading from a hanging planter or tumbling over a shelf. You can also train this plant to climb up a trellis or other structure.
Fertilizer
The most common causes of issues with Pothos are simple to resolve, making it an excellent choice for a novice gardener. To kill the pests, use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. You can avoid infestations by inspecting the plant once a week. Even then, bugs can be rinsed off or treated with a horticultural oil spray.
Grooming
These tropical plants thrive in a humid environment. Mist the leaves regularly in a dry, low-humidity setting. Wipe the leaves down with a clean, wet cloth regularly to avoid dust build-up, which can obstruct photosynthesis.
Repotting
Pothos plants are considerably easier to care for if they are given good care before being repotted. The main thing to keep in mind is to keep the roots moist. Avoid allowing them to dry out in the open. When pothos roots are moist and pliable, they are considerably simpler to work with.
Pothos Watering Guide
How often to water Pothos
Watering Pothos can be particularly tricky because these plants can survive with minimum watering, which is why many houseplant owners take them for granted. If you have been neglecting your Pothos’ watering soon you will regret it.
Here is a detailed Pothos watering guide to tell you everything you need to know:
Water Quality
Your Pothos will be healthier if your water supply is pure. The best water is distilled water, which is followed by rainfall and filtered water. It is also a good idea to use a solution of 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide (35%) per gallon of water.
The Right Time To Water
It is best to water your Pothos every once a week or once in 10 days. It would help if you never watered them on a set timetable. Instead, monitor for dryness in the soil and water it as soon as it becomes completely dry. When you do, make sure to water the plant well to reach all of the roots.
How Much Water?
Watering is affected by various factors, including the size of the plant, the amount of light it receives, the amount of water it received the previous watering, the soil composition, the season of the year, and so on.
What Happens If You Underwater?
Your pothos plant will curl in an attempt to conserve moisture if it receives little to no water. So, make sure you keep watering it at least once every 1-2 weeks.
How To Avoid Underwatering?
It is recommended to keep track of how long it takes your Pothos’ soil to dry up after a watering session and set a reminder or a timetable for it. Pothos, like most houseplants, need more water in the summer than in the winter, so make sure to alter your watering routine as the weather and seasons change.
What Happens If You Overwater?
Overwatering your Pothos will cause the roots to decay! and turn pothos leaves yellow. Here are detailed instructions on Why are my Pothos Leaves turning Yellow? and how to fix it. Overwatering causes soggy soil, and pothos roots cannot thrive in wet soil for lengthy periods.
How To Avoid Overwatering?
By planting your Pothos in pots with drainage holes, you may avoid overwatering. If you don’t have any, place a drainage tray inside your pot. This permits excess water to drain swiftly from the soil before it reaches your plant’s roots.
Please read this article on 5 Ways To Prevent Overwatering Your Houseplants to find out how to prevent overwatering.
FAQs
Does Pothos like sun or shade?
Pothos are excellent low-maintenance houseplants that are perfect for anyone who is new to indoor plant care. They are one of the easiest plants to care for, and they are very adaptable, requiring little attention. They can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, and can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Why is Pothos called devil’s ivy?
Pothos is called ‘devil’s ivy’ because of its vining ability and its leaf shape. The foliage of the pothos plant has a fine, dark appearance and is quite dramatic. The leaves are variegated with creamy white, green and brown tones. They can grow up to 40 inches (1 m) and 22 inches (0.5 m) wide.
How often should I water Pothos?
Pothos don’t require a lot of water, so the best way to water them is by soaking them in a bowl of water. You can also mist them with water every so often. If the pot feels light, it’s probably time to water it. The top layer of soil should be dry before you water again.
Conclusion
Pothos is an excellent plant for beginners since it can tolerate a wide range of light levels, watering schedules, and humidity levels. It’s also popular among seasoned indoor gardeners because of its quick growth and lovely aesthetic effect. In any case, make sure you don’t take them for granted and keep watering them as and when needed!
