Pothos is one of the best plants for removing formaldehyde in the air that comes from carpet and other materials in our homes. Beautiful, low-maintenance, and cleans the air. Glossy, heart-shaped leaves emerge green and become variegated with yellow or white. Although this plant tolerates low light well, its leaves may lose their variegation. Pothos will look its best in moderate or bright light. It makes an excellent office plant because it grows well under fluorescent lights.
Water pothos plants whenever the top 1” to 2” (2.5 – 5 cm) of soil is completely dry. When growing in hanging baskets or pots, press firmly on the potting mix. If the potting mix is dry, it’s time to water the plant. If you feel moisture, wait until the soil dries more. Only water a pothos as often as it needs it, using soil dryness as a guide.
Getting plenty of light helps pothos plants grow faster and also keeps the variegation vibrant. Darker-leafed pothos plants can survive better in low- to minimal-light conditions. Always protect the plants from direct sunlight.
Apply a diluted, houseplant fertilizer once a month during the growing season for healthy growth. During the winter months, stop fertilizing because pothos grows slowly during that time. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer in spring. This will supply plant nutrients as often as you water the plant.
Pothos plants need to grow in a light potting mix that drains well, yet holds moisture. The best type of potting medium for all kinds of pothos should contain equal parts of potting soil, peat moss, and perlite. If the soil gets waterlogged because of poor drainage, excess moisture will damage the roots.
Generally, it’s not necessary to prune pothos plants as they have medium to slow growth. However, you can trim back vines if they get too long or if you want to encourage bushy growth. Trim off any brown, dead, or decaying leaves or stems. The best time to prune a pothos is in spring just before it starts growing vigorously.
The ideal temperature range for pothos plant to thrive is between 65°F and 85°F (18°C – 29°C). This means that average room temperature is ideal for these trailing houseplants. Being a type of tropical plant, pothos needs medium to high humidity. Aim for at least 40% humidity levels in your room.
