Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also called devil's ivy or golden pothos, is one of the most popular and forgiving houseplants. It's a tropical climbing vine that's very easy to grow — which makes it a great starter plant and a common office plant.
Care basics
- Light: Bright, indirect light is best, but pothos tolerates low light and even fluorescent office light. Avoid direct sun, which can yellow the leaves. Variegated kinds need more light to keep their pattern.
- Water: Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out between waterings. It's better to keep pothos a little dry than too wet — constantly damp soil promotes root rot.
- Soil: A well-drained potting mix.
- Temperature: Average room temperatures, roughly 60–80°F; avoid cold drafts.
- Humidity: Tolerates average home humidity, though it prefers more; a humidifier or pebble tray helps in very dry air.
- Fertilizer: A little balanced houseplant fertilizer during the growing season; reduce or skip in winter.
The 3 most common problems
1. Yellow leaves
Yellowing pothos leaves are usually a sign of overwatering or, sometimes, low fertility. If the soil stays wet and several leaves yellow together, you're watering too much. Fix: Let the soil dry out between waterings and make sure the pot drains. Fertilize lightly in spring and summer if low fertility is the cause.
2. Brown, crispy leaf tips or edges
Dry, brown edges usually mean the plant has been kept too dry for too long, or the air is very dry. Fix: Water before the plant dries out completely, and raise humidity if the air is very dry.
3. Root rot from overwatering
Pothos is one of the easiest plants to kill with kindness — too much water rots the roots. Drooping, yellowing, and mushy stems all point this way. Fix: Let the soil dry between waterings, use a pot with drainage, and see our root rot guide if roots are already mushy.
Also common: leggy, sparse growth with leaves lost toward the base of the stems in low light — see our leggy growth guide and move the plant brighter.
Pet safety note: Pothos is toxic to dogs and cats — it contains insoluble calcium oxalates that irritate the mouth and stomach. Keep it out of reach of pets. (Source: ASPCA.)
Pothos at a glance
- Light: bright, indirect; tolerates low light
- Water: water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out
- Soil: a well-drained potting mix
- Temperature: average room temperatures, roughly 60–80°F
- Watch for: yellow leaves (usually overwatering), brown, crispy tips (too dry), and root rot (too wet)
Part of why pothos is so popular is how forgiving it is: it takes low light and missed waterings in stride, and it roots easily in water if you ever want to grow more from cuttings. It's a great first plant for beginners and one of the easiest to keep happy in everyday rooms. If it ever gets long and bare, trim the vines back to a node and they'll branch out fuller.