Pothos Care Guide for Beginners

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is often the first plant recommended to beginners and for good reason. It's forgiving, fast-growing and communicates clearly when it needs something. The leaves droop when thirsty, then perk right back up after watering. It handles low light, tolerates inconsistent care and propagates easily. If you can't keep a pothos alive the problem isn't you it's overwatering.

For a complete beginner overview, see Indoor Plants for Beginners: Easy Plants and Care Basics.

The Direct Answer: Quick Care

Factor	Requirement
Light	Low to bright indirect (no direct sun)
Water	When top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
Humidity	Tolerates normal indoor humidity
Temperature	65-85°F (18-29°C)
Soil	Well-draining potting mix
Fertilizer	Monthly during growing season

The rule: Water when the soil is dry and the leaves start to droop slightly. Bright indirect light encourages faster growth but low light is fine.

Light Requirements

What Pothos Prefers

Bright indirect light:

Near but not in direct sunlight
East or north-facing windows ideal
3-5 feet from south/west windows
Fastest growth in good light

What Pothos Tolerates

Very adaptable:

Low light (grows slower)
Artificial lighting (offices)
North-facing windows
Interior rooms with some light

What to Avoid

Only a few things:

Direct hot sunlight (burns leaves)
Complete darkness (no plant survives this)
Very dim conditions long-term (leggy growth)

Variegation and Light

Light affects coloring:

More light = more variegation maintained
Low light = greener leaves
Variegated types need more light
Neon pothos stays bright in good light

For optimal placement, our indoor plant light guide covers window directions and distance from light sources.

Watering

How to Know When to Water

Pothos tells you:

Check soil, water when top 1-2 inches dry
Leaves droop when thirsty
Drooping leaves are your cue
Don't wait until leaves are severely wilted

How to Water

Thorough approach:

Water until it drains from the bottom
Let drain completely
Empty saucer after 30 minutes
Don't leave sitting in water

Watering Frequency

Varies by conditions:

Every 7-14 days typically
More often in bright light, summer, small pots
Less often in low light, winter, large pots
Always check soil don't follow a schedule blindly

Signs of Overwatering

What to watch for:

Yellow leaves (especially lower leaves)
Mushy stems
Root rot
Plant not recovering from watering
Soil stays wet for more than a week

Master the fundamentals with our complete watering guide for beginners.

Common Pothos Varieties

Golden Pothos

The classic:

Green leaves with yellow variegation
Most common variety
Very hardy
Good beginner choice

Marble Queen

White variegation:

Green and white marbled leaves
Needs more light than golden
Slower growing
Loses variegation in low light

Neon Pothos

Bright chartreuse:

Solid bright yellow-green leaves
Striking color
Similar care to golden
Color brightest in good light

Jade Pothos

Solid green:

Dark green leaves, no variegation
Handles low light best
Fastest grower
Simple beauty

N'Joy and Pearls and Jade

White/green patterns:

Smaller leaves
More compact growth
Need more light for variegation
Slower growing

Propagation

Why Pothos Is Easy to Propagate

Simple process:

Roots easily in water
Nodes produce roots quickly
High success rate
Fast rooting (weeks)

How to Propagate in Water

Step by step:

Cut stem section with 1-2 nodes
Remove leaves from bottom node
Place in water, node submerged
Change water weekly
Roots appear in 2-4 weeks
Transfer to soil when roots are 1-2 inches

How to Propagate in Soil

Alternative method:

Take cutting with 1-2 nodes
Remove lower leaves
Dip in rooting hormone (optional)
Plant in moist potting mix
Keep moist until rooted
New growth indicates success

Growth and Training

How Pothos Grows

Trailing or climbing:

Naturally vines and trails
Can climb with support
Produces aerial roots
Unlimited length potential

Training Options

Display choices:

Trailing from shelf or hanging basket
Climbing on moss pole or trellis
Wrapped around fixtures
Trained along walls

Pruning

Control and encourage bushiness:

Cut anywhere along the stem
New growth emerges below cut
Use cuttings for propagation
Regular pruning keeps plant full

Troubleshooting

Most pothos problems trace back to watering or light issues. For a complete diagnosis framework, see our houseplant troubleshooting guide.

Yellow Leaves

Most common issue:

Lower leaves yellowing = often overwatering
Check soil moisture
Reduce watering frequency
Ensure good drainage

Our guide on yellow leaves on houseplants helps you diagnose the exact cause.

Brown Leaf Tips

Environmental stress:

Low humidity
Inconsistent watering
Chemical sensitivity (fluoride in water)
Usually cosmetic not serious

Leggy Growth

Not enough light:

Long stems with sparse leaves
Move to brighter location
Prune to encourage bushier growth
Rotate for even development

Wilting

Usually thirst:

Check soil, if dry, water
Should recover in hours
If soil is wet, check for root rot
Overwatering causes wilting too

Common Mistakes

Overwatering

The most common error:

Soil stays too wet
Roots suffocate and rot
Let soil dry between waterings
When in doubt, wait

Too Little Light (Variegated Types)

Loses color:

Variegation fades to green
Move to brighter spot
Green growth is healthy just less colorful
Marble queen needs more light than golden

Not Pruning

Gets sparse and leggy:

Long vines with few leaves
Prune regularly
Use cuttings to fill in pot
Creates fuller plant

Ignoring Drainage

Root rot risk:

Always use pots with drainage
Don't let sit in water
Empty saucers after watering
Well-draining soil is important

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does pothos grow?

In good light, several feet per year. In low light, much slower, maybe a foot or less. Warm temperatures and regular fertilizing encourage faster growth.

Is pothos toxic to pets?

Yes, pothos contains calcium oxalates that irritate mouth and digestive tract. Keep away from cats and dogs that chew plants. Usually not fatal but causes discomfort.

Can pothos live in water forever?

Yes, pothos can live in water indefinitely. Change water weekly and add liquid fertilizer monthly. Growth may be slower than soil-grown but it survives well.

Why are my pothos leaves small?

Usually insufficient light. Small leaves on new growth indicate the plant isn't getting enough light to produce normal-sized foliage. Move closer to window.

How do I make my pothos fuller?

Prune long vines and root the cuttings in the same pot. Pinching growing tips encourages branching. Multiple vines in one pot creates fullness.