Trailing LeafPothos care, explained simply
Plain English · Sourced from horticulture references

Pothos plant care, explained simply

How much light, when to water, which soil, how to propagate — and what yellow, brown or drooping leaves are telling you. Practical guides for keeping a pothos healthy indoors.

Pothos care at a glance

The basics for golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and its common varieties. Each topic has a full guide.

Light

Bright, indirect

Grows best in bright, indirect light. It tolerates lower light, but grows slower and variegated leaves can lose their pattern. Avoid hours of harsh direct sun.

Water

When the top inch or two is dry

Water when the top 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) of soil are dry, then let the excess drain away. In many homes that is every 1–2 weeks, less in winter.

Soil & pot

Well-draining, with holes

Use an indoor potting mix that drains well and a pot with drainage holes. Soil that stays soggy is the most common cause of root rot.

Temperature

About 65–85°F (18–29°C)

Normal room temperatures suit it. Keep it away from cold drafts, and don’t let it sit below about 50°F (10°C).

Humidity

Average is fine

Typical household humidity works. Higher humidity can help leaves grow larger, but misting isn’t required.

Feeding

Spring and summer only

A balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted as the label directs, during the growing season. Little or none in winter.

Repotting

Every 1–2 years

Repot when roots circle the pot or push out of the drainage holes. Move up just one pot size.

Pets

Toxic to cats and dogs

The ASPCA lists pothos as toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. Keep vines out of reach of pets and small children.

Start with a topic

Every guide is filed under one of these topics.

Care basics

Complete pothos care

The full routine for a healthy plant, from the day you bring it home.

Open topic → Light

Where to put your pothos

Window direction, low-light rooms and grow lights.

Open topic → Watering

How often and how much

Checking soil, drainage, water quality and growing in water.

Open topic → Soil & repotting

Mix, pots and repotting

What soil to use, when to repot and how to do it without shock.

Open topic → Propagation

Grow new plants free

Taking cuttings, rooting in water or soil, and making a fuller pot.

Open topic → Leaf problems

Yellow, brown, drooping

What each symptom usually means and what to check first.

Open topic → Varieties

Golden, marble queen, neon…

How popular pothos varieties differ and how care changes.

Open topic → Pests & diseases

Bugs, rot and spots

Spotting mealybugs, spider mites, root rot and leaf spot early.

Open topic →

What your pothos leaves are telling you

Common causes of the symptoms people see most. Several causes can overlap, so check the first item before changing anything else.

What you seeCommon causesCheck first
Several yellow leaves at onceOverwatering, poor drainageIs the soil still wet an inch down?
One old leaf yellows now and thenNormal ageingNothing — just remove it
Brown, crispy tips or edgesUnderwatering, very dry airHow dry is the whole root ball?
Limp, drooping vinesThirst — or root rot if the soil is wetFeel the soil; if wet, look at the roots
Long bare stems, small leavesToo little lightDistance from the nearest bright window
Variegation fading to plain greenLow lightMove to brighter, indirect light
Dark, soft or mushy spotsOverwatering, root or bacterial rotRoots: firm and light, or brown and mushy?

General guidance for indoor pothos, not a diagnosis. Full guides are in Leaf Problems.

Pothos questions people ask most

Is pothos toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic to cats and dogs. The leaves contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed. If a pet eats some, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

How often should I water a pothos?

Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry rather than on a fixed schedule. Light, temperature, pot size and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?

When several leaves yellow at once, overwatering or poor drainage is the most common cause. A single old leaf yellowing now and then is normal. See the table above for other symptoms.