Pothos

Quick facts

• Light: Low to bright indirect (tolerates a lot) · Water: When top 1–2” dry
• Difficulty: Easy — one of the best beginner plants
• Pet-safe: ❌ No (see Toxicity)

Description

A trailing/climbing aroid with glossy, heart-shaped leaves, often marbled gold, white, or chartreuse. Near-indestructible, fast-growing, and happy to vine across a shelf or climb a moss pole. The classic “I can’t keep anything alive” starter plant.

Care

• Light: Tolerates low light but grows faster and stays more variegated in bright indirect light. Solid-green types handle the lowest light.
• Water: Let the top 1–2 inches dry out, then water thoroughly. Droopy, limp leaves = thirsty; black/yellow mushy stems = overwatered.
• Soil & potting: Standard well-draining mix; a pot with drainage is essential.
• Humidity & temperature: Average household humidity is fine; keep above ~55°F.
• Feeding: Light feeding spring–summer.
• Propagation: Trivially easy — cut below a node and root in water or soil.

Propagation

Trivially easy. Cut a vine just below a node, remove the lowest leaf, and root in water or soil — roots in 1–2 weeks. Pot several cuttings together for a fuller plant. See Propagation Basics.

Toxicity

Toxic to cats and dogs (and irritating to people) due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — chewing causes oral pain, drooling, and vomiting. Keep trailing vines out of pets’ reach. Source: ASPCA.

Common ailments, afflictions & pests

Click any item for how to identify and treat it.

• Root Rot — by far the most common killer; from overwatering / no drainage. Yellow leaves + mushy black stems.
• Mealybugs — white cottony tufts in leaf axils.
• Spider Mites — fine webbing and stippled leaves in dry air.
• Scale Insects — brown bumps on stems, sticky residue.
• Fungus Gnats — little black flies from chronically wet soil.
• Yellow leaves? Usually overwatering, sometimes just an old leaf. See Watering & Root Health.

See also: Diagnose a Problem.

Sources

• iNaturalist · Wikipedia