The first plant I ever bought was a pothos plant, and five years on my leafy friend is still alive and thriving. I’ve gotten it to the point now where it’s thriving, but it’s had its ups and downs over the years, and I wish I knew how to properly care for it.
If you’ve just become a proud plant parent for a pothos plant, I’ve got you covered with expert tips and tricks. From taking care of it the moment it comes home from the store to long-term maintenance tips, they’ve come up with plenty of useful advice. “This green beauty is known for its resilience, as it thrives even in the most hostile environments where other houseplants do not,” explains Anastasia BorisevichPlant Specialist at Plantum.
I have a series Indoor plants In my house and I have to say the pothos plant is the easiest and most beautiful plant out there.
1. Initial care after bringing your pothos plant home
(Image credit: Future plc / Eve Smallman)
When you first bring your pothos plant home, it’s important to inspect it for pests or damage. Once you’ve done this, you can throw out the old soil and start turning to roots.
To avoid damaging the roots, gently loosen the dry soil with a wooden stick or your hands and pull out the plant with the root ball. “Remove the spent soil and wash the roots under running water. This is where you can cut off any rotten, black, brittle or dry parts,” explains Anastasia.
Once you have done this you can either place the plant in a narrow container with water for a few days to allow the roots to develop or place it in a new plant pot, depending on how healthy the initial roots are.
“Repot the plant in a container with a well-draining potting mix, as store-bought pots may not offer ideal drainage,” says Lydia BeaumontGardening expert at Gardener’s Yard.
2. Proper Pothos Plant Placement
(Image credit: Future plc / Eve Smallman)
After you have placed your pothos plant in the right pot, you can find the right spot for you Low maintenance plant.
“This trailing vine has attractive heart-shaped foliage. You can keep this gorgeous plant in a pot or place it on your bookshelf or down a wall,” adds Anastasia.
“Pothos thrive in bright, indirect light but are also very adaptable and can tolerate low light conditions,” says Lydia.
Just be sure to avoid placing them in direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. I put my pothos plant on the front window of my south facing garden and had to move it because this happened to me.
3. Watering your pothos plant
(Image credit: Future plc / Eve Smallman)
When you first bring your plant home, you can encourage the leaves of your pothos plant by sprinkling it with water.
From here, Lydia says make sure to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings — just as you need to. Caring for Monstera plants. You can check the soil moisture level with your finger or a wooden stick.
“Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry. Allow excess water to drain to avoid root rot,” she says.
Anastasia agrees, adding, “On average, pothos plants need to be watered at 68-73°F (20-23°C) every three days.”
“However, it is best to monitor soil conditions as the frequency of watering depends on temperature, humidity and the amount of water used for irrigation,” she adds.
You can also spritz the leaves of your pothos plant with warm water to help increase moisture levels.
4. Long-term Pothos plant care
(Image credit: Future plc / Eve Smallman)
The beauty of pothos plants is that they bloom beautifully for a long time with proper care.
“Fertilize with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing season,” suggests Lydia.
It’s also a good idea to prune yours to maintain shape and encourage fuller growth. “You can propagate cuttings in water to make new plants,” she adds.
It’s also smart to wipe your leaves with a damp cloth occasionally to keep them dust-free and improve photosynthesis. Just make sure to use only water and nothing else Cleaning suppliesBecause this can damage your plants.
By following these care tips, you can ensure that your pothos plant thrives for years to come (like mine!).
Want to continue learning plant care tips? You want to learn too How to care for a money treeWhich are also beautiful leafy gems.
Useful pothos plant care buys
Size (in.): H10 x W9 x L9
Made of: natural material
Price: $19.97
Want to start caring for a pothos plant? This A bright trailing plant Walmart has a deal.
Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Plant Food
Size: 3.8 kg
Made of: natural material
Price: $23.74
Keep your pothos plants looking their best by feeding them with this plant food specially formulated for flowering plants and shrubs.
Amazon Basics 7-Inch Steel Bypass Pruning Shears
Size: 0.31 pounds
Made of: Stainless steel
Price: $10.95
These pruners will come in handy for pruning, propagating and deadheading any flowering plants you have indoors and outdoors.
