Pothos: The Cheerful Indoor Plant Anyone Can Grow

The first plant I ever officially owned was a Golden Pothos, plucked carefully from a tableful of greenery at Home Depot.

That tiny, unassuming little bunch of leaves has quietly grown thick and full. Its trailing vines I now keep routinely trimmed at around 4 feet. And its propagated vines occupy vases around my home and turn into gifts for friends and coworkers.

Weekend day trips to my sunny back window and a generous weekly water soak are all pothos plants need to stay hydrated and happy. If you’re looking to be a first-time plant parent, a Pothos may be perfect for you! Here’s why:

#1 – They’re Nearly Invincible
Pothos plants can easily outlive a variety of other vegetation (I’m looking at you, succulents), even if they’re not receiving proper sunlight and water. In fact, this undemanding plant can very nearly thrive in a dusty, dark corner of a bookshelf. Obviously, would not recommend. But I’ve returned from a long vacation to some wilting leaves, only to have them spring merrily back to life with just a little love. And by love I mean, sun, water, and a pep talk from yours truly.

#2 – They’re Low-Maintenance
Pothos plants prefer ordinary soil and bright but indirect light, which means they’ll grow relatively well in virtually every room of your home. Keeping your pothos near a window will provide all the sun they need. If your plants are strewn all over the house like mine, an afternoon of bright window light once a week will keep them happy. Pothos also prefer the soil to dry completely between waterings. I generally water my plants every 7-10 days, depending on how sunny it’s been. An easy way to tell if your Pothos is ready for a drink is by investigating the leaves. Collapsed leaves with dark spots mean the soil is too wet. If they’re starting to droop or look yellow, it’s time to water!

Pro Tip: Pothos plants need soil drainage to avoid root rot. Choose a pot with a drainage hole to keep water from pooling at the bottom.

#3 – They’re Purifying the Air
Pothos plants remove toxins and common indoor pollutants, like formaldehyde, benzene, CO2, and ozone, from the air … just by being themselves! The greener the leaves, the more clean oxygen these plants are emitting into your home. This air purification system doesn’t come without its drawbacks, however. Be sure to keep children and pets from ingesting any part of the plant.

#4 – They’re Versatile
The trailing vines of pothos plants can be trained to grow in virtually any direction (like elegantly over door or window arches). Or they can be left to cascade freely if your pot is perched on a high shelf or hung from the ceiling. Pothos also fit comfortably on bookshelves, as table centerpieces, and best of all, as faithful companions on your desk at work. My pothos plants currently reside in all corners of my home in vases, pots, mason jars, and even dollar store bowls strung from the ceiling by a hand-made macrame hanger.

#5 – They Keep On Giving
Pothos plants are one of the easiest plants to propagate. Once you notice your plant vines have a few extra inches to spare, simply snip off the stem and place it directly in a vase of water. This new vine will grow roots, at which time you can either let the vine continue to mature in the vase or plant it in a pot. If you trim the vines regularly, you’ll begin to notice that pothos plants grow exceptionally fast! Just remember, the longer your vines remain in the water, the harder it will be for them to adapt to soil. If you plan on potting your propagated vines, plant them when the roots reach 3-4 inches long.

Pro Tip: Propagate vines that are 6-12 inches in length, cutting directly below the root node. Remove any leaves that fall below the waterline.

Try the Second-Chance Plant
If you’ve killed every succulent you’ve ever owned or are convinced you lack a green thumb, don’t give up just yet! Inexpensive and non-intrusive, Pothos plants are the perfect starter for your new indoor garden. Have you already succeeded in raising a Pothos plant? I’d love to hear your stories!

XO,
Micah