Pothos is the easiest trailing houseplant in the world. It tolerates low light, irregular watering and small pots, while producing fast vining growth that drapes beautifully from shelves or climbs a moss pole. Several cultivars exist — Golden, Marble Queen, Neon, Manjula, Cebu Blue, N'Joy — each with distinct leaf colour and pattern.
Quick reference
| Scientific name | Epipremnum aureum |
|---|---|
| Common names | Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Golden Pothos |
| Family | Araceae |
| Native to | Mo'orea, French Polynesia |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Pet safety | Toxic to cats and dogs; can cause oral irritation and vomiting. |
Pothos care guide
Light
Tolerates low light but grows fastest and keeps its variegation in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which bleaches the leaves. In low light, expect slower growth and gradual loss of variegation.
Water
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Pothos visibly wilts when thirsty and recovers within hours of watering — a useful built-in sensor. Typically once a week in good light, every 10–14 days in lower light.
Humidity
Tolerant of average humidity. Thrives at 50%+ but does not require it.
Temperature
Comfortable from 18–27 °C (65–80 °F). Stops growing below 13 °C (55 °F).
Soil
Any well-draining potting mix. Add a handful of perlite to improve drainage if using a heavy mix.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.
Pruning
Trim leggy vines just below a node to encourage bushier growth. The cuttings root in water within 1–2 weeks and can be replanted into the same pot to make it fuller.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years in spring. Pothos do not mind being slightly root-bound.
Propagation
The easiest plant in the world to propagate. Cut a vine just below a node, place in water, change weekly, and pot up once roots reach 5 cm.
Common Pothos problems
Yellow leaves
Cause: Overwatering is the most common cause; occasionally underwatering or natural ageing.
Fix: Let the soil dry, check the roots, and remove any yellow leaves at the base. Adjust watering to match the season.
Loss of variegation
Cause: Insufficient light.
Fix: Move to a brighter spot with indirect light. New growth will return to the cultivar's natural pattern.
Long bare vines
Cause: Light is too low, causing the plant to stretch and stop producing leaves at each node.
Fix: Move to brighter light and trim back the bare vines to a node — fresh growth will fill in.
How PlantCare Pro can help with your Pothos
Scan your Pothos in the PlantCare Pro app to confirm the species, get a 0–100 health score, and receive a personalised, weather-aware care plan. Save it to My Garden to track its health over time and get notified when something looks wrong.
Pothos FAQ
How often should I water pothos?
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry — usually every 5–7 days in spring and summer, every 10–14 days in winter. Pothos visibly wilt when thirsty, making it easy to learn their schedule.
Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?
Overwatering causes most yellow pothos leaves. Let the soil dry to the touch before watering again, ensure the pot drains freely, and remove any rotten roots. A single yellow leaf on an old vine is also normal ageing.
Can pothos grow in water permanently?
Yes — pothos is one of the few common houseplants that thrives long-term in water alone. Change the water every 1–2 weeks and add a drop of liquid fertilizer monthly. Growth is slower than in soil but the plant stays healthy for years.
Are pothos toxic to cats?
Yes. Pothos contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling and vomiting in cats and dogs. Keep trailing vines out of reach.