Pothos
Epipremnum aureum - The Devil's Ivy
The ultimate beginner plant, Pothos is nearly impossible to kill and rewards even the most forgetful plant parent with lush, trailing vines. Its ability to thrive in low light and tolerate irregular watering makes it the perfect entry point to the world of houseplants.
Very Easy
Low to Bright
Low to Moderate
Fast Trailing
Why Pothos is Perfect for Beginners
Native to Southeast Asia, Pothos has earned its nickname "Devil's Ivy" because it's almost impossible to kill—it stays green even when kept in the dark. This resilience, combined with its attractive heart-shaped leaves and trailing growth habit, makes it one of the most popular houseplants worldwide.
Pothos is incredibly versatile in how you can display it: let it trail from a hanging basket, climb up a moss pole, or cascade down from a high shelf. It's also an excellent air purifier, removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.
Perhaps the best thing about Pothos is how communicative it is—when it's thirsty, its leaves will droop dramatically, then perk right back up after watering. This visual feedback makes it easy to learn the rhythms of plant care.
Popular Pothos Varieties
Golden Pothos
The classic variety with green leaves splashed with golden-yellow variegation. Most tolerant of low light.
Marble Queen
Heavily variegated with white and green marbling. Needs brighter light to maintain variegation.
Neon Pothos
Striking chartreuse-lime green leaves that brighten any space. Maintains color in various light levels.
Jade Pothos
Solid dark green leaves without variegation. The most low-light tolerant of all varieties.
Manjula Pothos
Wavy leaves with white, cream, and green variegation. A rare and highly sought-after variety.
Cebu Blue
Silvery blue-green leaves with a metallic sheen. Develops fenestrations when mature, similar to Monstera.
Light Requirements
One of Pothos's greatest strengths is its adaptability to different light conditions. While it prefers bright, indirect light, it can survive in low light that would cause other plants to struggle.
Ideal Light
Bright, indirect light produces the fastest growth and best variegation. A few feet from an east or west-facing window is perfect.
Low Light Tolerance
Pothos can survive in offices and bathrooms with minimal natural light, though growth will be slower and variegation may fade.
Avoid Direct Sun
Direct sunlight can scorch leaves, causing brown patches. If leaves look pale or washed out, move to a shadier spot.
Learn more about light requirements in our comprehensive Light Guide.
Watering Guide
Pothos is forgiving of inconsistent watering, making it perfect for busy or forgetful plant parents. The key is to let the soil dry out between waterings—this plant would rather be underwatered than overwatered.
The Droop Test
When Pothos needs water, its leaves will droop noticeably. Water thoroughly and watch it perk back up within hours. This visual cue is one of the reasons Pothos is so beginner-friendly—it tells you exactly what it needs!
Watering Schedule
- • Every 1-2 weeks typically
- • Let soil dry 50-75% between waterings
- • Water less in winter
- • More frequent in bright light
Signs of Overwatering
- • Yellow leaves throughout plant
- • Mushy, brown stems
- • Soil stays wet for weeks
- • Fungus gnats around soil
Master the art of watering with our detailed Watering Guide.
Easy Propagation
Pothos is one of the easiest plants to propagate, making it perfect for sharing with friends or filling out your plant collection. You can root cuttings in water or directly in soil.
Step 1: Take a Cutting
Cut a 4-6 inch section with at least 2-3 nodes (the bumps on the stem where leaves emerge). Cut just below a node.
Step 2: Prepare the Cutting
Remove the bottom 1-2 leaves, leaving at least one leaf at the top. The exposed nodes are where roots will form.
Step 3: Root in Water
Place in a jar of water with the nodes submerged. Change water weekly. Roots appear in 1-2 weeks.
Step 4: Plant When Ready
Once roots are 2-3 inches long, plant in soil. Keep soil slightly moist for the first few weeks as it adjusts.
Common Problems & Solutions
Yellowing Leaves
Cause: Usually overwatering, but can also be natural aging of older leaves.
Solution: Check if soil is staying too wet. Reduce watering frequency and ensure pot has drainage. Yellow older leaves near the base are normal.
Loss of Variegation
Cause: Insufficient light causes variegated varieties to revert to solid green.
Solution: Move to a brighter location. Prune reverted green stems to encourage variegated growth. See our Light Guide for optimal placement.
Brown Leaf Tips
Cause: Low humidity, underwatering, or sensitivity to chemicals in tap water.
Solution: Increase humidity (see our Humidity Guide), water more consistently, or switch to filtered water.
Leggy Growth
Cause: Not enough light causes stems to stretch with large gaps between leaves.
Solution: Move to brighter location. Prune leggy stems and propagate the cuttings to create a fuller plant.