Water Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) when the top inch of soil has dried out, which is usually every seven to ten days in spring and summer. In winter, Pothos needs water less often, roughly every fourteen to twenty-one days, because growth slows and the soil stays moist longer. Pothos prefers to be watered thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom, and then it should not sit in standing water. Drooping, soft leaves on a Pothos often signal overwatering, while crispy edges suggest the plant has stayed dry too long. A Pothos tolerates occasional missed waterings better than constantly soggy soil.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) grows best in bright, indirect light and keeps its variegation strongest under those conditions. A Pothos will survive in low light, but its leaves turn more solidly green and the stems grow leggy with wider gaps between leaves. Direct midday sun can scorch a Pothos, leaving pale or bleached patches on the foliage. If a Pothos loses its yellow or white markings, moving it closer to a bright window usually restores the pattern over several weeks. Pothos does well a few feet from an east- or north-facing window.
The cited reference lists Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) as toxic to cats and dogs; ingestion can cause oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. These effects in Pothos are attributed to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals released when an animal chews the leaves or stems. If a cat or dog is suspected of chewing or swallowing Pothos, contact a veterinarian or a poison-control hotline promptly. Keeping Pothos out of reach of pets is the surest way to prevent accidental ingestion.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) thrives in a loose, well-draining potting mix and dislikes dense soil that holds water around the roots. A blend of standard potting soil with added perlite or orchid bark gives Pothos the aeration it prefers. Repot a Pothos every one to two years, or when roots begin circling the pot or pushing through the drainage holes. When repotting Pothos, choose a container only one to two inches wider than the current one to avoid oversized pots that stay wet. A pot with drainage holes is important for Pothos because trapped moisture leads to root rot.
Yellowing leaves on a Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are most commonly caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Brown, crispy leaf tips on a Pothos usually indicate underwatering, low humidity, or a buildup of mineral salts from tap water. Pothos can attract pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and scale, which appear as fine webbing, white cottony spots, or small bumps on stems. Leggy, sparse growth on a Pothos points to insufficient light, and moving it to a brighter spot encourages fuller foliage. Wiping the leaves of a Pothos occasionally removes dust and helps the plant absorb more light.