Epipremnum aureum
Pothos is one of the easiest and most adaptable houseplants to grow, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced plant parents alike. Known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves, pothos can be grown cascading from a shelf or hanging planter, or trained to climb a pole or trellis.
Different pothos varieties may have different colors and variegation, but their basic care requirements are very similar.
🌿 Looking for a pothos of your own? Explore our collection of N'Joy, Marble Queen, and Jade Pothos in the Pothos Plant Collection →
☀️ Light
Pothos grows best in bright, indirect light, but it can adapt to medium and lower-light conditions.
Variegated varieties such as N'Joy and Marble Queen benefit from brighter indirect light to help maintain their white or cream variegation. In lower light, new growth may become greener.
Avoid prolonged direct afternoon sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
💧 Water
Allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry before watering again. Water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot.
Pothos is generally more tolerant of being slightly too dry than consistently too wet. Avoid leaving the roots sitting in standing water, as overly wet soil can lead to root rot.
Drooping leaves can be a sign that your pothos is thirsty, while persistent yellowing may indicate overwatering.
🌱 Soil
Use a loose, well-draining indoor potting mix. Adding perlite, orchid bark, or another aerating material can help improve drainage and airflow around the roots.
Always use a container with adequate drainage whenever possible.
🌡️ Temperature
Pothos prefers temperatures around 65–85°F (18–29°C).
Keep your plant away from freezing temperatures, cold drafts, and extreme temperature changes.
💦 Humidity
Normal household humidity is usually sufficient.
Pothos appreciates moderate to higher humidity, but you don't need a humidifier for it to grow successfully in most homes.
🌿 Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced houseplant fertilizer during the active growing season, typically spring through summer.
Fertilizing about once every 4–6 weeks at the product's recommended strength is generally sufficient. Reduce or stop feeding during periods when the plant isn't actively growing.
✂️ Pruning & Growth
Trim long vines to encourage a fuller, bushier appearance. Cut just above a node when pruning the mother plant.
Pothos naturally trails, but it can also be trained to climb a moss pole, trellis, or other support. When allowed to climb under good growing conditions, mature pothos can develop substantially larger leaves.
🌱 Propagation
Pothos is very easy to propagate from stem cuttings.
Take a cutting containing at least one node and place the node in water or a suitable propagation medium. Keep it in bright, indirect light while roots develop.
If propagating in water, transplant the cutting into soil once it has developed a healthy root system.
🐾 Pet Safety
Pothos is not considered pet-safe. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if chewed or eaten by cats or dogs.
Keep pothos plants out of reach of curious pets and children.
Find Your Next Pothos 🌿
N'Joy Pothos →
Compact leaves with striking green-and-white variegation. Give it plenty of bright, indirect light to help maintain its coloration.
Marble Queen Pothos →
Known for beautiful cream-and-green marbled foliage. Its heavy variegation can make it a somewhat slower grower than greener varieties.
Jade / Green Pothos →
Deep green foliage and vigorous growth make this one of the easiest pothos varieties to grow, including in somewhat lower-light environments.