Cori Sears

How to Grow Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) Indoors

The EASIEST houseplant to grow – even if you have a black thumb!

When it comes to houseplants, few are more popular or well-known than the pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Also commonly known as devil’s ivy, these vining plants can be found in nearly every houseplant lover’s home. They are easy to grow, affordable, and forgiving plants that look great in nearly any spot in your home. So how exactly do you keep these tropical plants happy indoors? Here’s what you need to know about growing pothos plants.

Light, Water, & Soil

Light

Pothos grow best with several hours of bright, indirect light every day. That being said, they are known for being extremely versatile and also grow well in low light conditions too. Just be aware that pothos grown in low light will become leggy over time, which may not be as visually appealing.

Water

These plants are native to tropical climates and appreciate consistent watering. Water your pothos once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil has dried out. Don’t worry if you forget the occasional watering though, pothos are relatively drought tolerant. If you notice that your pothos’ leaves are droopy and limp, this is a sign that your plant needs water.

Soil

Like most aroids, pothos do best in a moist but airy, well-draining soil mixture. I use a combination of potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark for all of my pothos and they love it!

Propagating

Pothos are super easy to propagate by stem cuttings. I usually root the stem cuttings in water, but they can also be rooted in soil or sphagnum moss. The most important thing to know when propagating pothos plants is that each stem cutting needs to have at least 2 to 3 nodes along the stem. The nodes are where new roots and leaves will grow. If you attempt to root a portion of the stem that does not have any nodes, it will not work and roots will not grow. I’ve written a whole blog post that goes over how to propagate pothos plants in water if you want to learn more!

Types of Pothos

There are quite a few different varieties of pothos to choose from. Most of these varieties have the same care requirements but some are more picky than others so ensure that you research how to care for the type of pothos that you have. Here are some of the most popular types of pothos:

Golden pothos
Jade pothos
Neon pothos
Marble queen pothos
Pearls and jade pothos
N’joy pothos
Snow queen pothos
Cebu blue pothos

Growing Tips!

Pothos truly are hardy, low-maintenance plants that don’t require much attention. There are a few things you can do to to help your plant along though. Ensure that you keep your pothos in warm temperatures. These plants are not cold-hardy or frost-tolerant and should be kept away from any cold, drafty windows. Pothos also enjoy humidity where possible, although they do well in typical household humidity levels as well. Placing your plant near a small humidifier or in a naturally humid room in your home will help it to thrive. Lastly, if you’d like to encourage a fuller growth habit, pruning your plant regularly is a great way to do so. Plus, you can use the cuttings from pruning for propagation!

FAQ

Why are my pothos leaves drooping?

Drooping leaves are a sign that your pothos needs water! After a good drink it should perk right back up.

Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?

Yellow leaves can be an indication of a few different things. Usually, it’s a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Check your plant’s soil to figure out which one may be the culprit!

Why are my pothos leaves sticking to the wall?

In their native environment pothos are climbing plants. Their aerial roots help them climb trees and plants around them as they grow towards the forest canopy. When grown indoors it is common for pothos plants to climb objects around them such as the walls or other plants. This is why using a moss pole can be beneficial! Not only will it save your drywall but it will encourage your pothos to grow larger, healthier leaves.