Watering, propagation, location & air purification
Pothos grows almost anywhere, forgives just about everything, and is so easy to propagate that before long, you can fill your whole home with it.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), alongside Sansevieria, is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. It grows as a trailing plant from a shelf, climbs up a moss pole, or winds its way across a bookcase — all with minimal effort. In the Netherlands, it’s one of the best-selling houseplants, and in Vienna, too, you’ll spot it in almost every home.
What makes pothos so special: you can propagate it in water by simply cutting off a shoot and placing it in a glass. After two weeks, you’ll have a new plant. It really is that easy.
Pothos at a glance
Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum
Origin: Southeast Asia (French Polynesia)
Family: Araceae (arum family)
Hardy: No (min. 15°C)
Location: Bright to partial shade
Watering: Moderate, let the soil dry out slightly
Growth habit: Trailing or climbing
Difficulty: very easy
Pothos varieties
The classic pothos has heart-shaped green leaves with golden-yellow variegation. But there are now many varieties:
- 'Golden Pothos' — the classic with green-yellow variegation. Tough and fast-growing.
- 'Marble Queen' — marbled white and green. Needs a little more light than the green variety.
- 'Neon' — bright lime-green leaves without variegation. Very eye-catching.
- 'N'Joy' — compact, white-green, with smaller leaves. Ideal for small spaces.
At MoBlumen, you’ll find different pothos varieties — the classic Golden Pothos from EUR 25.00 and the trailing pothos from EUR 19.90.
Watering pothos
When it comes to watering pothos, the same rule applies as with most houseplants: let the top layer of soil dry out, then water thoroughly. About once a week in summer, and every ten to fourteen days in winter.
Pothos clearly shows when it needs water — the leaves become limp and droop. As soon as you water it, they perk up again within a few hours. That makes it wonderfully practical, because you never have to guess.
Pothos location
Bright to partial shade. Pothos also tolerates darker corners, but it will lose its variegation there — the leaves turn completely green because the plant produces more chlorophyll to make the most of the limited light. If you want to keep the yellow or white patterning, place it in a brighter spot.
Avoid direct midday sun — the leaves will scorch. An east- or west-facing window, or a spot one to two meters away from a south-facing window, is ideal.
Propagating pothos
Propagating pothos is so easy it is almost ridiculous. Cut off a vine with at least one node (the small bump where aerial roots grow) and place it in a glass of water. Roots will form after one to two weeks. Once the roots are 5 cm long, plant it in soil.
You can also keep the cuttings in water permanently — pothos grows just as well in water as it does in soil. Simply change the water regularly and add a drop of liquid fertilizer from time to time.
Tip: Pothos cuttings in pretty glass vases on the windowsill — that is decoration and plant propagation in one. And a wonderful gift for friends who are just getting started with houseplants.
Pothos as a hanging plant or climbing plant
Pothos can be both. As a hanging plant, simply let the vines grow downward — from a shelf, a hanging planter or a tall cabinet. The vines can grow several meters long.
As a climbing plant, it needs support — a moss pole, wires or a trellis. When it climbs, the leaves grow larger (in nature they can reach up to 60 cm). As a hanging plant, the leaves stay smaller.
Note: Pothos is toxic — all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate. Keep it well out of reach of children and pets (especially cats). Hung up high as a trailing plant, it is safest.
Pothos at MoBlumen Vienna
Pothos in a pot — from EUR 19.90, delivery in Vienna.
Frequently asked questions about pothos
The most common reasons are overwatering (the soil stays constantly wet), too little light, or the natural aging of the oldest leaves. If many leaves turn yellow at the same time, it is usually too much water.
Yes, pothos can grow permanently in water. Change the water regularly and add a drop of liquid fertilizer from time to time. It grows a little more slowly in water than in soil, but it looks very decorative in a beautiful glass vase.
According to the NASA study, yes — it filters formaldehyde, benzene and xylene from the air. However, you would need quite a lot of plants to notice a real effect. Still, it is a lovely added benefit.
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