GrowSabzHow to grow pothos in pots
Also called Devil's Ivy, Money Plant, Hunter's Robe, Ivy Arum · Epipremnum aureum
پوتھوس
- ☀️ Sunlight
- 2–4hours daily
- 💧 Water
- 0.1 Levery 7 days, 3 L pot
- 🌡️ Ideal temp
- 18–30°C
- 🪴 Min pot
- 3 L15 cm deep
Pothos keeps producing once it starts. First picking comes around day null, and the plant then crops for roughly 365 more days — but only if you keep picking. Crop left on the plant is a signal to stop making more.
Short answer
Grow pothos in a 3 litre container at least 15 cm deep, watering about 500 ml per 10 litres of soil every 7 days, and keep temperatures between 18 and 30 °C.
Where to plant it
What size pot does pothos need?
3 litres and 15 cm deep is the realistic minimum for a single plant. Pick a container below to see what changes.
| Container | Minimum size | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pot | 3 L | 15 cm | Ensure good drainage |
| Grow bag | 5 L | 20 cm | Fabric bags provide good aeration |
| Open ground | — | 25 cm | Can become invasive in tropical climates |
| Raised bed | 10 L | 25 cm | Good for controlled growth outdoors |
Watering
How often should you water pothos?
Every 7 days through the growing season, at about 500 ml per 10 litres of soil — every 5 days in hot weather, every 10 days when it turns cool. Water at morning. Bottom watering or top watering until drainage works best.
Too little water
- drooping leaves
- curling leaves
- browning leaf edges
Too much water
- yellowing leaves
- black spots
- mushy stem
- root rot
Avoid: standing water; soggy soil; overwatering.
Climate
Can you grow pothos where you live?
No hardiness zone needed — compare your actual temperatures against the plant's own limits.
| Ideal range | 18 – 30 °C |
|---|---|
| Survives | 10 – 35 °C |
| Sunlight | 2–6 hrs/day, best 4 |
| Frost | Highly sensitive — will not survive it |
Timeline
Pothos growing stages, day by day
Click any stage to see what's happening. Durations shift with temperature — a warm season runs roughly a quarter faster than a cool one.
Feeding
Fertiliser schedule for pothos
Feed on the interval below, changing what you give as the plant shifts from making leaves to making fruit.
| Stage | What to use | Per 10 L | Every |
|---|
How to prepare each feed
Common mistakes
Why pothos fails, and how to avoid it
- A container that is too small
Below 3 litres the root run is too shallow. The plant grows, flowers late, and drops whatever it sets because it cannot support the crop.
- Watering too lightly
A daily splash wets the top few centimetres and nothing else. Pothos wants about 500 ml per 10 litres of soil — one deep soak beats three shallow ones.
- Planting it beside Cactus
Requires significantly less water and much brighter light than Pothos. Growing them together would lead to overwatering for the cactus or underwatering for Pothos.
- Leaving it out through a cold snap
Pothos is highly frost-sensitive. One night below 10 °C can end the plant outright — bring containers in or cover them.
Companions
What to plant with pothos
Good neighbours
Coexists well due to similar light and watering preferences, creating a harmonious indoor display.
Thrives in similar indirect light conditions and moderate humidity, making them good aesthetic companions.
Many Philodendron varieties share similar care requirements (light, water, humidity) and growth habits, making them excellent companions for a lush indoor jungle look.
Keep apart from
Requires significantly less water and much brighter light than Pothos. Growing them together would lead to overwatering for the cactus or underwatering for Pothos.
Similar to cacti, succulents prefer dry conditions and bright light. Their care requirements are incompatible with Pothos, leading to potential root rot for the succulent or dehydration for Pothos.
While some ferns tolerate similar light, many require consistently high humidity and moist soil, which can be too much for Pothos and lead to overwatering issues if potted together.
Problems
Pothos pests and diseases
Each lists the weather that brings it on, so you know when to start checking rather than reacting once it's established.
Root Rot humidity any · temp any
The most common issue, caused by overwatering and poor drainage. Leaves yellow, turn mushy, and the plant wilts. Prevention is key: allow soil to dry between waterings.
Mealybugs humidity any · temp any
Small, white, cottony pests found in leaf axils and undersides of leaves. They suck sap, weakening the plant. Treat with rubbing alcohol or insecticidal soap.
Spider Mites humidity <50% · temp >25
Tiny pests causing stippling (small dots) on leaves, yellowing, and fine webbing. Thrive in dry, warm conditions. Increase humidity and use insecticidal soap.
Scale Insects humidity any · temp any
Small, brown, oval-shaped bumps on stems and leaves. They secrete honeydew. Scrape off manually or treat with horticultural oil.
Fungus Gnats humidity high · temp any
Small, dark, flying insects often seen around the soil. Their larvae feed on roots, especially in consistently moist soil. Allow soil to dry out, use sticky traps.
Yellowing Leaves humidity any · temp any
Commonly caused by overwatering (leading to root rot), underwatering, nutrient deficiency, or natural aging of lower leaves. Assess watering habits and light.
Brown Tips Edges humidity <40% · temp any
Often a sign of low humidity, underwatering, or mineral buildup (e.g., fluoride, chlorine) in tap water. Increase humidity or use filtered water.
Harvest
When to harvest pothos
How to tell it's ready
- Healthy stem with at least 2-3 leaves and a node (small bump where a leaf emerges)
How much to expect
Storing it: Place cuttings in water or moist potting mix to root. Change water every few days. Once roots are 1-2 inches long, plant in soil.
Questions
Pothos: common questions
What size pot does pothos need?
At least 3 litres and 15 cm deep for one plant. A raised bed wants 10 litres of soil and 25 cm of depth.
How often should I water pothos?
About 500 ml per 10 litres of soil, every 7 days in normal weather — every 5 days when it is hot and every 10 days when cool. Water in the morning.
Why is my pothos flowering but not fruiting?
Almost always pollination. Pothos carries separate male and female flowers and needs pollen moved between them — without insects, nothing sets. Hand-pollinate in the morning with a male flower brushed against the centre of a female one.
What temperature does pothos need?
It does best between 18 °C and 30 °C and survives from 10 °C to 35 °C.
Can I grow pothos in winter?
Not outdoors anywhere that frosts — it is highly frost-sensitive and will not survive it. In a frost-free winter it grows slowly; anywhere colder, treat it as a warm-season crop.
How do I know when pothos is ready to harvest?
Healthy stem with at least 2-3 leaves and a node (small bump where a leaf emerges). Once picked: place cuttings in water or moist potting mix to root. change water every few days. once roots are 1-2 inches long, plant in soil.