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If the plant community were to hold the Oscars event, they would likely give the Best housePlant award to Golden Pothos.

This plant has become incredibly famous; you’ll find it everywhere—in offices, building hallways, restaurants, schools, and many other places.

So, if someone gifted you this plant, or maybe you’re willing to have one, but you want to make sure it won’t die on you, you’ve chosen the right place.

Golden Pothos, also known as Epipremnum aureum, or Devil’s Ivy, is a plant that belongs to the Araceae plant family. It’s a highly popular houseplant known for its vining foliage

pothos pothos come in many shapes and sizes. Its leaves have a beautiful, unique heart shape featuring shades of green, yellow, and off-white.

as houseplant experts at thespruce.com said It’s so easy to care for plants pothos, and here’s why: First off, it can grow in both dark and bright rooms, as long as there is indirect light. It doesn’t need much watering and doesn’t consume a lot of fertilizer.

Just keep in mind, if you have pets such as cats and dogs, be aware because it can be toxic to them if ingested.

Now, keep reading to learn all about the basic and essential information, from how much water a Golden Pothos needs to fertilizer, soil, and everything else you need to know.

Pin Mee !!!!

How do you care for a Golden Pothos indoors?

As a start, I will give you the 4 simple, short rules. Try to keep these in mind, and then I will give you the rest of how to care for epipremnum pothos.

1-What kind of soil do golden pothos like?

You can use the standard potting mix as well as a well-draining soil. Surprisingly, you can even grow it directly in a jar of water; you just need to keep changing the water regularly. However, it’s best if you stick with a well-draining soil.

2-How much light does Golden Pothos need?

Golden pothos thrives best in bright indirect light. However, if you are in a north-facing home or during the winter season, Golden Pothos can tolerate medium to low light. Just keep in mind that direct light is not suitable for pothos plants, as it could cause Pothos leaf burning or browning.

3-How Do I know if my golden pothos need water?

When it comes to watering, you only need to water it once every week or two. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

4-How to make Golden Pothos healthy?

pothos plant don’t need too much fertilizer. Just apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2 to 3 months during winter, and monthly during the growing seasons.

Golden Pothos Care Guide 01

What are the best conditions for Golden Pothos?

After the four basic rules I gave you, let’s get into the more in-depth, expert-level pieces of information on how to care for a pothos golden. Plus, there will be some tips I’ve found extremely beneficial as I’ve grown my pothos golden plant throughout the years.

The best light requirement for Golden Pothos

When it comes to light, pothos plant golden love medium to low indirect light. Moreover, it thrives in bright indirect light, so it’s best to place it near an east or north-facing window.

Here’s a quick tip that I use: every time you water your Golden Pothos, try to give it a little rotation, let’s say a half turn will be fine. This act will ensure that all leaves are receiving the same amount of light.

We’ve talked about the best light for golden pothos care; now it’s time to discuss the worst light for your plant: direct sunlight. Not only will it burn your plant’s leaves and cause them to start browning, but it will also lead to a pale appearance. So, try to avoid direct sunlight.

During the growing season, giving it 30 to 40 minutes of bright light per day will help increase growth immensely.

Best soil type for golden pothos

The best soil for Golden Pothos, in short, is a well-draining potting soil that tends to be on the dry side. However, if you want the perfect Pothos soil, stick with me because I have that. But to achieve that, we need to cover four essential aspects.

  • drainage
  • moisture retention
  • aeration
  • nutrients

Does golden pothos need drainage?

Pothos plants are drought-resistant, but they completely hate soggy, overwatered soil.

Good drainage is essential to prevent overwatering and to avoid big issues such as root rot.

How do you add drainage and Aeration to an indoor plant?

so adding different materials and aggregates to the potting soil such as perlite, coarse sand, clay aggregates, vermiculite, and compost can all boost airflow and water drainage for golden pothos soil.

What is the ideal moisture level for pothos?

So, the goal is to keep the soil balanced. We want it to be consistently damp but not overwatered. Therefore, I recommend adding horticultural charcoal, coco coir, peat moss, and sphagnum moss to promote moisture retention.

What nutritional growing medium for pothos?

Pothos plants are not needy when it comes to nutrients, but like many plants, Golden Pothos will thrive better during growing seasons with a little boost. Consider adding ingredients such as compost, worm castings, mulch, manure, and biochar to provide essential nutrients for your Pothos plant to grow healthier.

Are Golden Pothos acid-loving plants?

Neutral to slightly acidic soil is preferred, with a pH ranging from 6.1 to 6.8.

soil mix for Golden Pothos

homemade Soil for Pothos plant

Best Soil for Better Growth

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How much water does a Golden Pothos need?

Pothos plants don’t need too much water. Once every couple of weeks is enough, but during the growing season, water it once a week for better growth. If your plant is in bright light, water it more frequently, and water less if it’s in a low-light place.

But, How do I know if my Golden Pothos needs watering?

In the worst cases, dropping leaves is a big sign that Golden Pothos needs watering. So, try not to let it reach that level.

Another indication is dry, brown edges. This means your plant has been kept dry for too long.

Signs that you are overwatering your Golden Pothos

  1. Yellowing or browning of leaves.
  2. Wilting or drooping leaves, even when the soil is moist.
  3. Root rot or mushy roots.
  4. A foul odor emanates from the soil.
  5. Mold or fungus growth on the soil surface.
  6. Pests such as fungus gnats infest the soil.

pothos Plant Watering Techniques:

To start, make sure your soil is of a high drainage type. Place an empty saucer under the pot to prevent overhydration. Next, flush the soil with either rainwater, filtered water, or bottled water for best results. Avoid using tap water directly as it contains chemicals that can harm the plant. If you only have tap water, let it rest overnight as it helps the chemicals evaporate from the water.

Golden Pothos Watering Method

Image by Freepik

What is the Optimal Temperature for Golden Pothos?

To sum up, the best temperature for Golden Pothos ranges from 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 26°C). If the temperature drops below 60°F for prolonged periods, it can harm the plant. While they can tolerate temperatures outside this range, it’s recommended to maintain the mentioned range for healthy growth.

humidity level for pothos

Pothos plants are originally from Southeast Asia and thrive in high humidity levels, usually between 50% to 70%. To keep your plant happy, try to mimic these conditions by using a room humidifier or misting it occasionally, especially during dry seasons like winter. However, Pothos is generally tolerant of lower humidity levels commonly found in most households.

What kind of fertilizer do Golden Pothos need?

Golden Pothos is a light feeder, but like most plants, it can benefit from occasional fertilizing during the growing season. It’s recommended to use a balanced houseplant fertilizer (N-P-K) with ratios such as 20-20-20 or 10-10-10. Make sure to fertilize it once every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer.

How to Apply the Fertilizer

There are two ways to use fertilizer: top dressing and direct application. In top dressing, all you need to do is sprinkle the fertilizer on top of the soil. You can give it a little tap to ensure it gets half an inch deeper into the top layer.

Direct application means you mix fertilizer with water, so whenever you water your plant, fertilizer will be applied. Pour it into the soil around the base and avoid touching the leaves while doing so.

Are you overfertilizing your Golden Pothos?

After purchasing fertilizer, it’s better to follow the instructions on the package. You’ll notice that there’s a recommended amount. I always use half of that amount. Over-fertilizing Golden Queen Pothos can lead to burning roots or leaves. So, as soon as you notice that, stop using fertilizer until the symptoms start to fade.

How to Properly Prune Your Pothos Plant

Pruning is an essential process that every plant lover should learn, as it helps remove dead and damaged leaves that could attract diseases and pests.

Plus, it encourages new growth and maintains a fuller and lusher appearance better than a leggy Golden Pothos with few leaves.

when to trim golden pothos

The best time to prune not only Golden Pothos but every plant is during the growing season. Pruning Pothos in spring and summer when it’s actively growing will reduce the plant’s recovery time, which will prevent diseases from occurring.

Tools you will need for pruning:

Pruning shears: for cutting the foliage.

Gloves: to protect hands from potential irritation or cuts.

Clean cloth: for wiping down tools and potentially wiping sap or debris from the plant after pruning.

Pruning Step-by-Step Guide:

Before pruning, sterilize the shears you’re going to use by rubbing them with alcohol or a bleach solution to prevent diseases.
Look for any abnormal yellow or brown leaves, as well as damaged stems, and cut them off
Using the pruning shears, cut below where the leaf node and stem meet at a 45-degree angle
After pruning, clean up any debris or fallen leaves around the plant
Use a clean cloth to wipe down tools and dispose of debris properly
cleaning propagation tools

Propagating Pothos

I understand that propagating a plant might seem scary to some people, as it sounds like a lot of work and uncertainty. However, believe me, it’s a piece of cake! Your first attempt might not be successful, but with time and practice, you’ll conquer the art of propagating Pothos plants.

There are two ways to propagate a Pothos plant: in potting soil or water. because Pothos, like many aroid plants, can adapt to flooding conditions.

Just follow these easy steps:

Both the water and soil propagation methods for Pothos start the same way
Using sterile shears, cut a healthy stem a few inches below the lowest leaf
Cut off the lowest leaf, but you can keep the other leaves as long as they are a few inches away from the stem base
Place the cuttings you made in a glass jar filled with room-temperature water. Ensure they receive indirect light, neither too strong nor too weak. Also, make sure the leaves don’t touch the water item
Keep an eye out for any signs of root growth, and if necessary, add fresh water to the jar

After you notice that the roots have reached about 1 inch in length, it’s time to decide whether you want to continue growing the cuttings in water or transfer them to soil.

If you choose soil, transplant the cuttings into a potting mix. Keep the soil moist but not wet, and place the pot in indirect light conditions.

If you choose to continue propagating in water, remember that water can become murky and develop fungal growth, which is harmful to the plant. Therefore,

During the growing season, consider adding some fertilizer to promote growth.

pothos plant Propagation method by : The Hydroponics Guy

A sharp shear for a smooth cut

protect your hands with these

let the roots show up faster with a rooting hormon

POTHOS VARIETIES

Manjula Pothos

(Epipremnum aureum)

Size: Trails 6 to 10 feet, can grow longer

Color: The leaves are white with cream, silver, yellow-green, and blue-green spots.

Manjula Pothos is a mix of Marble Queen Pothos and N’Joy. It has broad heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges, unlike flat ones. Its color is mostly white with less green, which means it grows slower. To help it grow well, it’s best to put it in a bright spot.

Manjula Pothos Care

Manjula pothos │ picture By: Juliengagne18

Marble Queen pothos

(Epipremnum aureum)

Size: Trails up to 10 feet, up to 2 feet wide

Color: Mottled dark green with yellow and white.

Marble Queen Pothos is one of the simplest houseplants to grow. Its stunning variegated look, with more white than green, makes it stand out. It thrives in brighter spots, which helps in its growth.

Marble Queen Pothos Care

Marble Queen Pothos │picture by Maja Dumat

Jade pothos

(Epipremnum aureum)

Size: Trails up to 10 feet, up to 2 feet wide

Color: Medium to dark green

Jade Pothos is the most effortless houseplant to grow among Pothos varieties because it can handle changes in light conditions very well. It does just fine in both low and high light settings.

Jade Pothos Care

Jade Pothos │ picture by
Sunlit Farms

N’Joy pothos

Size: Trails up 9 feet long

Color: Green centers surrounded by cream.

With heart-shaped leaves splashed with creamy white all over them, N’Joy Pothos stands as one of the most elegant Pothos plants. Its low-maintenance nature makes it suitable for beginners.

N'Joy Pothos Care

N’Joy pothos │ picture by: Stefano

Cebu Blue pothos

(Epipremnum aureum)

Size: Trails up to 10 feet, up to 2 feet wide

Color: Blue-green foliage

Similar to other Pothos varieties, Cebu Blue is simple to maintain. Its name comes from the blue-green hue of its leaves. It prefers medium to bright indirect light and won’t do well in low-light settings.

Cebu Blue Pothos

Cebu Blue Pothos │picture by MDawny72

Neon pothos

(Epipremnum aureum)

Size: Trails 6 to 10 feet, can grow longer

Color: Foliage is chartreuse

Neon Pothos gets its name because it’s bright and great for brightening up dark spots. It looks best in medium indirect light to keep its vibrant color; too much bright light can fade its neon leaves to green.

Neon Pothos Care

Neon Pothos │ picture By: Quinn Dombrowski

How and When to Repot Your Pothos Plant

Before repotting your Golden Pothos, make sure all the materials are ready. You will need soil mixed with good drainage and nutrient retention, a pot with drainage holes, ideally one slightly larger than the old pot, a trowel, and pruning shears.

Repotting Process:

Gently remove the Pothos plant from the current pot, using techniques like squeezing and rolling the pot to loosen it a little.

Carefully untangle the roots and try to remove as much of the old soil as possible.

  • Place a layer of pre-mixed soil in the new pot and position the plant inside.
  • Add soil around the roots, leaving space at the top, and lightly press to eliminate air pockets.
  • Water the plant immediately after repotting to help it settle in and reduce transplant shock.
Woman repotting a houseplant inside of her house
Things you need to repot your Pothos Plant

Common golden Pothos diseases and pests to look out for

Golden Pothos is susceptible to pest infestations and diseases. Here are the most common ones and how to treat each one:

Common diseases

Root Rot

This disease is caused by overwatering or the use of poorly drained soil.

Symptoms will include yellowing leaves, a lack of growth, and eventually plant death.

You can prevent this by using the recommended well-draining soil and allowing it to dry completely between waterings.

Leaf Spot

A kind of fungal disease that will cause black or brown spots to appear on your Golden Pothos leaves.

This infection is a result of overwatering or poor air circulation in your home.

So, to treat it, you need to cut off infected leaves and improve air circulation by opening the window from time to time.

yellowing leaves

A common understanding is that yellowing leaves occur because the plant is aging, but that’s not the only reason.

If your Pothos plant leaves are turning yellow, you need to ask yourself these questions: Are you overwatering it? Underwatering it? Is your plant getting enough light? Could it be lacking nutrients? If one of these factors is impacting it, it will be the cause of your problem.

common pests

Mealybugs

Small white insects are found on leaves and stems. These insects suck sap from the plant, which can cause leaves to yellow and drop.

Spider Mites

Tiny insects spinning webs on leaves also feed on sap and cause leaves to yellow and drop.

Scale Insects

small hard look like a shell kind insect sucks on the sab and causes leaves to drop and yellowing

gnat traps

Pests Traitement

  • Provide proper care, including well-draining soil, appropriate watering, and good air circulation.
  • Take prompt action upon noticing signs of disease or pests to prevent further damage.
  • If the plant is already infected, using neem oil, alcohol, or insecticidal soap is enough to kill these insects. Just spray or rub the leaves with one of these treatments, and you will see improvement from day one.

Or you can use some gnat traps. I recommend the one that Oh Happy Plants offer, or to make pest control a hassle-free process, think of investing in a cleaning kit 

plant cleaning kit

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you take care of indoor pothos?

Taking care of indoor pothos is easy! Just keep it in indirect sunlight, water it when the top inch of the soil feels dry, and trim any yellowing leaves.

Does pothos need sunlight?

Pothos can thrive in low to moderate light conditions, but it prefers indirect sunlight.

How often should you water pothos?

Water your pothos about once a week or when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Best houseplant for apartment low-light

The best houseplant for low-light apartments is the Snake Plant.

Where should I place my pothos?

Place your pothos in a spot with indirect sunlight, like near a window with a sheer curtain or in a well-lit room away from direct sun.