Plant Library
Pothos
A forgiving trailing houseplant known for fast-growing vines, heart-shaped leaves, and an easygoing nature.
Before You Buy
Is this plant right for your home?
Pothos are adaptable, forgiving, and happy to grow as trailing vines. They're a great starting point for many plant parents, but their growth habit is worth considering.
You want an easygoing plant that can trail from a shelf, climb a support, or fill an empty corner.
You have pets that may chew on your houseplants or don't want a plant that can become quite vining.
Pothos can tolerate lower light, but brighter indirect light can help support fuller, more vigorous growth.
Care Basics
Let it grow, then trim it back when you want.
Pothos are forgiving and adaptable, making them one of the easier houseplants to work into your routine.
Let the soil dry between waterings
Allow the soil to dry before watering again rather than keeping it consistently damp.
Give it bright, indirect light
Pothos can handle lower light, but brighter indirect light generally supports stronger, fuller growth.
Trim the vines when needed
Regular pruning can help keep long vines manageable and encourage a fuller-looking plant.
What Usually Goes Wrong
Most pothos problems start with the basics.
When the leaves start looking different, check the soil, light, and roots before assuming something complicated is wrong.
Yellow leaves
Yellowing can have several causes, but consistently wet soil is one of the first things to check.
Drooping leaves
Check the soil before watering. Both overly dry and overly wet conditions can leave a plant looking unhappy.
Long, sparse vines
Low light can contribute to stretched growth and larger gaps between leaves along the vines.
More Pothos Help
Something not looking quite right?
Yellow leaves, drooping vines, slow growth — sometimes your pothos needs a little troubleshooting beyond the basics.
Why Are My Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow?
Seven common reasons pothos leaves turn yellow, plus the clues that can help you figure out which one is affecting your plant.
Troubleshoot Yellow Leaves → Curling LeavesWhy Are My Pothos Leaves Curling?
Use the soil, roots, light, temperature, and surrounding foliage to narrow down what may be stressing your pothos.
Troubleshoot Curling Leaves →Good Match For
This might be your plant if...
You want an easygoing houseplant that can trail across a shelf, hang from a planter, or grow into a fuller feature over time without demanding constant attention.
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